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Unexpectedly finding yourself out of a job is perhaps one of the more demoralizing moments in life. It's a highly empirical indication that someone, specifically an employer, does not value your skills or contributions as highly as you would have liked. Regardless of whether or not the firing was a result of your own behavior or a series of unfortunate events and outside influences, loosing a job can be a difficult blow to recover from. On the other hand, finding the silver lining is absolutely essential to future success in interviews and careers. A little brainstorming can help you find a number of constructive ways to take advantage of the setback and use it as an opportunity for personal growth and development that future employers will see as an asset.

The first step is to examine the events leading up to your unemployment. Your interactions with your boss and coworkers directly prior to being fired will often paint a picture of how and why you were let go. This picture can be a lesson for how to handle future employment opportunities. Whether you determine that a behavior change is in order on your own part, or you identify red flags that will allow you to steer clear of future inequitable employment situations, understanding what happened from an objective perspective gives you the knowledge you need from repeating the situation with your next employer. Don't be afraid to admit your own role in what happened. While it may be uncomfortable to examine your own flaws, identifying them will help you overcome them and communicate new strengths to prospective employers.

Which leads me to one of the secret advantages of unemployment; the unforeseen free time will give you a chance to hone your skills and shape your talents towards a career path more to your liking. It is important to make constructive use of your time off rather than sitting idle. Think about where you really want to go with your career and set some goals targeted towards making that easier. Think about taking on contract work, volunteering in an area that will showcase your skills, or working on projects that you can use as portfolio pieces. Depending on available resources this can be a good opportunity to look into self employment opportunities or starting a small business of your own. If you have the opportunity it doesn't hurt to use the extra time to seek out additional training in your field as well. You can often audit a class or two for little to no cost at community colleges and universities. Some temp agencies also encourage candidates they serve to expand their skills and will provide training as part of their program.

Getting back on the horse is important. If you are claiming unemployment you are required to apply to at least three new jobs each week. The more you extend yourself the better your chances are of finding something interesting quickly. Casting a wide net in your job search will also allow you to be more selective about which jobs you seriously consider, and may help you find something that is a much better fit than your previous position. Looking for work after being fired is really about picking yourself back up, dusting off the bruised ego, and changing gears. If you keep your chin up and use your time and skills wisely it doesn't have to be much of a setback at all.

Learn more about this author, Joy Mosenfelder.
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