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 growth as strength.
If on the other hand you determine that a career change is in order you may find that the time you have available while you are out of work is perfect for developing and honing new skills. 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 your own available resources this can be a good opportunity to look into self employment 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 desired field. 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. If resources are tight, consider taking on a part time job or temporary transitional job while you pursue your dreams.
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.