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Congratulations…You’re Fired!

Posted on May 18, 2010

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“I mean, there’s no arguing. There is no anything. There is no beating around the bush. “You’re fired” is a very strong term.” ~ Donald Trump

You’re fired…let go…terminated! Some of you will hear these words at least once in your lifetime. This could be because the company is going in a different direction, your position is no longer needed, company cut backs, or the fact that you couldn’t cut it at your job. Whatever the reason it may be you need to have a plan in place, it’s not the end of the world, and it’s just another rock one has to climb in the mountain called life. Here are some tips I got from About.com.

So what are some of the thing you need to do after being let go?

Get some rest: It has happen; you can’t turn back the hands of time. Take the next day to relax and gather all your thoughts. Stressing about it will only make you tired and could cause you to miss something important that you need to do.

File for unemployment: Don’t wait to file for unemployment. The sooner you file, the sooner you will start receiving checks. If the company did layoffs and you were one of the unlucky few, you could be eligible for unemployment.

Get health insurance (COBRA): It is not the bad guys from GI Joe, but a service that is provided to you. Your employer, if the firm has over 20 employees, is mandated by law to offer health insurance coverage through Cobra to terminated employees for 18 months. You will need to pay for this coverage. In some cases, employers will pay for coverage for a limited time as part of a severance package.

Start working on those resumes and cover letters: If you didn’t already have an updated resume (which you should) it’s time to get to work on one. All your job search correspondence must be positive. There is no need to mention that you were fired in your resume or in your cover letters. In your cover letters, focus on the basics.

Make sure your cover letters address the position you are applying for and why, and how, you are qualified for it. That’s all you need to do. There is no point in bringing up the circumstances of your leaving until you have to.

References: Hey there may be someone at the company you left that still likes you, if so use them for references. Having good references can be the clincher that gets you that new job. Don’t wait to ask for a reference. Whether you have been laid-off or resign, ask while your employer still knows who you are. If you have been fired, you may be able to ask a colleague for a reference.

Brush up on your interviewing skills: You got to get back on that interviewing horse. Be prepared for questions on why you were let go. Keep it brief, keep it honest, and keep it moving. Explain why the downsizing or merger wasn’t your fault. If it was, suggest telling the interviewer you learned a lesson and explain how you benefited from the experience. Take the negative and turn it into a positive.

It’s not a REM song (End of the world, for you young readers) and you will find another job in time. It happens to the best of us (even me). Just remember to keep a cool head and look towards the new doors that life will open for you.

Do you have any tips on what to do after getting canned? If so, please let the world know in the comment section below.