by Joy Mosenfelder

Created on: December 23, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2012

Few things in life are more demoralizing than being fired.  Whether or not getting the boot was expected, or your pink slip came as a total surpriseit's almost always anindication that someone, whether it be your boss, his or her boss, or an hr rep, does not value your skills or contributions enough to keep you around. Regardless of whether or not the firing was a result of your own behavior or a series of unfortunate, loosing a job can be a difficult blow to recover from. On the other hand, sometimes being fired serves as a release from an unhappy employment situation.  It may give you the freedom you need to make a fresh start, or motivate you to improve your skills and expand your talents.  Finding the silver lining is an important part of turning the situation to your advantage. A little brainstorming can help you find constructive ways to turn setback of loosing your job into an opportunity for personal growth and development.

There are several things to consider any time you find yourself out of a job.  You will want to determine what your current resources are and how best to stretch them until you find a replacement income.  Then you will want to assess your hope, dreams, and aspirations and come up with some short term and long term goals.  Ask yourself: “Was I happy with my career? Do I want to continue where I left off? Is there something else I could be doing that might feel like a better fit?”  Your answers to these questions will help you determine your next steps.

Assuming you were happy with your career and are going to look for similar work, the first step is to examine the events leading up to your termination. 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. 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 potential problems with future employers, understanding what happened provides you with valuable information that can shape your job search and help you ace upcoming interviews. While it may be uncomfortable to examine flaws in yourself, identifying your own problem behaviors will help you address them before they come up in a new work environment.  Additionally, clearly communicating your plans for self improvement can be a selling point with potential employers if you frame your self awareness and dedication to personal

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