For many people, thoughts of getting fired tend to be spine-chilling. No wonder, since it means your everyday life gets upside down in minutes. Who would like to go through such a nightmarish experience nowadays, in the era of an endless number of staggering events? Most likely, the answer would be no, because people strive for stability and prefer feeling solid ground under their feet.
On the other hand, why not seize the opportunity to turn your life 180 degrees? At first, getting sacked does cause a lot of questions, such as ‘Why me?’, ‘What have I done wrong?’, ‘Why didn’t they give me a chance to improve?’, etc. However, if you look deeper, you might get such insights:
Anyway, take your time adjusting to the new reality you’ve just entered because a lot of work awaits you. At least, if you’re reading this article now, you can give a sigh of relief. We’ve created a 7-step plan for people who just lost their jobs. Let’s get started!
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Fear is the mind-killer. You’d better embark on assessing the situation you’ve gotten into to define the further road map. The thing that you should be paying attention to in the first place includes your financial opportunities. You will have to face reality and analyze how long you can maintain your usual lifestyle and cover the basic expenses. It won’t be superfluous to include unforeseen costs, just in case. By the way, if you’ve been saving money for a rainy day – it’s precisely the case.
This one refers to those who realize or can guess the genuine reason for their termination. There is nothing to be ashamed of, everybody has the room for an error, and if your employer doesn’t stick to this rule, it’s more their issue, not yours. The best thing for you would be to shoulder this responsibility, admit having made a mistake (or mistakes) and try to draw a valuable lesson from the situation. It will benefit you in terms of your professional development and teach you to perceive mistakes as a chance to learn and not to feel like a hangdog.
Even if you found out that you have enough savings to get by for some time, we do recommend not putting your new job-seeking process on hold. The sooner you start, the better understanding of the current job market you’ll obtain. At least, start with the helicopter view. You may find appealing options that are unavailable at the moment, or just apply for them and wait for the recruiter’s answer. Likewise, you may come across a vacancy you’ve always dreamt of. It sometimes takes weeks to get the interviewing process started. You’ll definitely have some time before jumping into a new role.
One may say that submitting references has been forgotten by the professional world; however, it’s not always true. Many employers do appreciate it when candidates provide references from their previous workplaces. There is one hitch, however – how to ask your boss or manager for references if they initiated your termination?
Your lifeline may be the HR department responsible for it. On the flip side, it’s not always that your reference has to be superior. You may well ask your ex-colleagues for help. By the way, don’t forget about the benefits of networking! A friend in court is better than a penny in a purse. It may be an excellent chance to find a new job in the blink of an eye.
Of course, they will be asking awkward questions about the situation that has happened to you. However, it’s just a matter of their own concern, not your fault. In the majority of cases, people tend to blame the worker for getting sacked but rarely do they think that the boss is the one who might be off base. The best thing you can do is to demonstrate complete calmness and understanding of why they’re asking those questions. Be neutral in your answer, and don’t dare blame your ex-boss or complain about them. It will instead show your immaturity and make the interviewer turn away from you.
Similarly ridiculous to the previous one, however, also a possible scenario. Some recruiters might reject your CV when they find out about your termination. Again and again, it’s about their lack of professionalism. For starters, it’s weird to make conclusions before getting to know a candidate better.
Anyway, if you’ve been rejected, don’t hesitate to ask for their feedback. The reason might not be connected with your termination at all; instead, you’ll know your weak points and what you need to work on in the future. Remember – every rejection is a chance to obtain something more valuable.
Whether you’ve been laid off or not, it’s just a universal rule – never let external circumstances affect your mental state. However, it’s absolutely not about toxic positivity. We’re not talking you into blocking your sadness – let it out, go through it but don’t let this emotion absorb you for an extended period. Just be mindful that the world is yours and imagine yourself as the creator of the desired reality. Therefore, you’ll see such obstacles as getting sacked as temporary inconveniences on your way to your big goal.
There’s no arguing that getting fired may make you feel like losing the ground under your feet. However, if you pull yourself together quickly and switch your focus from losing something to the idea of getting a chance to change your life for the better, you’ll get back on track very quickly.
Just follow the steps in our guide and dive into the world of new opportunities and personal achievements!
