You never thought it would happen to you. But today, you found out you will not be continuing in your current role. Being fired can be devastating, even if you saw it coming. But it’s not the end of the road for your career.
Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue magazine, said everyone should be fired at least once. Below, we discuss what to do if you’re fired and how to find your next role.
How to Go From Fired to Hired
Getting fired can be terrifying. But it’s important to note that:
- It doesn’t diminish your professional skills.
- You still have qualifications employers find desirable.
- You can learn and grow from your mistakes.
- It will not ruin your career.
You can find a new job after being fired. Here’s how to find your next role.
Take Time to Process Grief
Getting fired is a shock for anyone, even if you had a sense that it was coming. It may not be the best thing to hit the job boards immediately. You need to take time to process the range of emotions from being fired.
Don’t lash out at your boss or the company on social media. If you need to cry in your bedroom, do so. Make yourself a cup of tea, go for a walk, or get together with friends. Look for productive ways to cope with the emotions of being fired. You need to take care of yourself before jumping into a new job search.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please know you’re not alone. There are various mental health resources around the globe available to assist you.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Once you’ve had time to process your grief, you can start searching for your next open role.
One of the most important things you can do to find a job is to create a LinkedIn profile. Ninety-five percent of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and vet candidates, so it’s an essential part of a modern job search.
Some general best practices for LinkedIn include:
- Have a professional photo.
- Use a strategic LinkedIn headline with keywords; don’t use “seeking opportunities.”
- Fill out your profile completely to appear in more searches.
- Keep your posts professional. Remember, employers can see your activity.
Research Employers
Most people begin their job search by scouring through job boards for hours and submitting their resume to anything that looks remotely relevant. For a more streamlined job search, it’s better to research employers first.
Job boards like FlexJobs allow job seekers to research employers to see what positions they hire for, flexible work options offered (i.e., if the company offers hybrid jobs), and any awards or workplace accolades received. You can also follow companies, so you get alerts the minute your target companies post new job listings.
Practice Talking About Your Firing in Interviews
You’ve applied for jobs, and you’ve got the interview. Things are looking up! While you should practice your common job interview questions, you should also prepare to talk about being fired.
Being fired isn’t an uncommon experience, and it can happen for many reasons, from budget cuts to personality clashes. When explaining being fired to an employer, it’s important to stay positive, be honest, and focus on what you’ve learned from the experience.
I Think I’m Going to Be Fired. What Do I Do?
Maybe you’ve been demoted, or your boss barely acknowledges you in the team meeting. You know that there’s a good chance you’ll be let go. While you can’t control the actions of your boss, there are some things you can do to prepare for being fired.
Create an Emergency Fund
From day one of your current job, your priority should be to create an emergency fund. After losing your job, it’s likely that you won’t have a new job the next day.
While job hunting, you’ll need to be able to cover rent, groceries, student loan payments, and any other necessities. You need to save enough money to cover at least three months of expenses for you and your family.
Update Your Resume
If you haven’t been job hunting in a while, there’s a good chance you need to update your resume.
When writing your resume, include relevant skills, quantifiable achievements, and relevant jobs or volunteer experience. Before submitting your resume to an employer, proofread for grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Work Your Network
It’s best to start networking before you need to find a new job. Fire up your connections with old colleagues, friends, or university professors. Participate in industry association meetups or conferences.
Being Fired Isn’t the End of the Road
While it can certainly be upsetting, getting fired isn’t the end of your career. By following these steps, you can confidently land a new role with a company you love.
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