Getting fired feels like a chasm has opened up beneath your feet. It is the end of an era, and it is extremely emotional. Allowing enough time to work through those negative feelings is perfectly natural, but at some point, it is time to reflect on the situation and come up with a plan of action.
Termination may feel humiliating, but it does not have to be the end of the world. In a study of terminated employees, 91% of executives quickly found a position that was as good or better than their previous position.
In many cases, termination can mark the beginning of something better. The way employees approach termination will define their future success.
What To Do After Being Terminated
Termination elicits the same negative feelings in anyone who experiences it. What separates the successful from the less-than-successful is the manner in which it is confronted.
Avoid Starting Unnecessary Conflict
As tempting as it is to tell that awful boss what they can do with their job, avoid starting any additional conflict.
Burning bridges can impact future employability. Business owners talk, and it is unwise to hurt future career prospects just for the sake of some catharsis.
Ask Your Employer Why You Were Terminated
Most terminations come completely out of the blue. Approximately 75% of employees said their managers never met with them to discuss any concerns they had before they were fired.
Asking an employer for some feedback on why you were fired can contribute to personal growth.
Sometimes termination happens just because of a clash in personalities, work styles or a poorly run organization, but if there were concerns about work quality or performance, a meeting can provide a foundation for future improvement.
Check If You Have A Severance Package Or Unemployment Benefits
Employees naturally want to secure severance pay. Apart from in certain cases, employers are not required to provide severance pay for employees who were fired for a cause.
Focus on extending any health insurance cover for as long as possible. Avoid signing any non-disclosure agreements prior to negotiating a severance package. Do not be afraid to consult an employment attorney to read through any company documentation.
It is also worth looking into unemployment benefits eligibility. In most states, getting fired for misconduct makes employees ineligible.
Laws do differ from state to state, however.
Write An Appeal Letter If You Feel Differently
The majority of companies have an appeals process for employees who feel they were unfairly terminated.
If you truly believe the termination was unjust, feel free to appeal. It may be worth hiring an employment attorney or consulting your union if you feel you were unlawfully terminated.
Do Not Let The Termination Define You
Millions of successful Americans have been terminated at some point. Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs are just some of the big names who have been fired during their lives.
Never let a termination define you. Ultimately, it is just one company’s opinion.
How To Begin The Job Search After Termination
Allow some time to process any negative feelings over a recent termination. The next step is to begin the job search again after termination.
Termination does not have to be a liability, as long as it is confronted in the right way.
Reflect On What You Learned From Your Previous Job
Start by reflecting on the growth experienced from that previous job. Think about the skills learned and experiences. How might that job make a job applicant more attractive to an employer?
Extract the positives from a negative situation.
Add Your Recent Experience To Your Resume
Blow the dust off that resume and update it. Do not be tempted to leave off the job you were terminated from. Every position is an opportunity for growth, and every experience has a lesson to take away from it.
Add everything in full to make it clear to a prospective employer that you have nothing to hide.
Fill Out Job Applications (But Do Not Lie About Termination)
Now it is time to start filling out job applications. Be open and honest about the termination within the application, if asked about why you left your previous position.
Bosses understand that everyone makes mistakes. Show that you are ready to move on and the value you can add to a prospective employer’s organization.
Identify And Reach Out To Your References
It is not about what you know but who you know. Identify previous professional connections and reach out for references. Professional social media networks like LinkedIn can be immensely helpful for this.
This is particularly important if the termination occurred due to misconduct. It would be reasonable to assume that the previous boss is unlikely to offer a glowing reference.
Keep A Positive Attitude And Understand Your Worth
Do not let a termination impact a positive attitude when approaching a new employer. See it as an opportunity for a new start.
Termination is just one company’s opinion. This is an opportunity to find someone who will know and understand your value.
Speak With A Remote HR Consultant Today
Overcoming termination is never an easy thing to do. Maintain a positive state of mind, and approach both termination and the subsequent job search in a professional manner.
If you need help and support in dealing with termination, contact a remote HR consultant at HR Search & Rescue.