For some, understanding why they were fired isn't the easiest as they just never see themselves as others do. It's a learning process as we try to improve ourselves over what has caused us problems in the past.

However for some, it never comes, and it is for those that help is needed so as to understand more about themselves and why they got fired.

If you are one of those individuals who feel that you were unjustly fired, then you need to try and find out the exact reason for which you feel you were fired.

After all, it doesn't hurt to ask, and if you ask the right way, perhaps you may get a sympathetic response as they may realize you are sincere in trying to be a good person, but perhaps failed to realize what your shortcoming were.

Let them know that what ever the reasons were that you were canned, it wasn't deliberate on you're part, and you need to know what those reasons were so that you can correct them so it won't be a problem for your next job.

This will greatly impress them as they will now feel almost obligated to provide you with the details, and possibly offer you a second chance down the road should you re-apply for the job.

It is important you know the real reason for being terminated, for if you don't know, then you will carry the same to the next job and to the next etc.
Try to get some answers from those you worked with in the most humble way. Let them know that you want the answers so that you can overcome what it was that got you fired.
People can understand when someone is humble rather than showing an attitude that everyone else is wrong and you're right.

You can ask yourself many questions as to what the reasons were if you really look back and take count of all the things that may have been reason enough for getting fired.
Lateness, long lunch breaks, too many sick days, not completing projects on time, incompatibility with others, costing the company money, poor attire for the type of job, or just a poor attitude in general.

You can always realize a poor attitude by simple counting how many things that get you upset about the job, and if you find that there are quite a few, then perhaps it's an attitude change.

Whatever the reasons are, you need to address the problem so that it doesn't happen again for the next job. A boss will never fire an asset to the company, but if you're a liability, then it's just a matter of time, and you're history.

I know it's hard to accept blame for your own demise, but most often, it's us who cause most of what happens as a direct result of our behavior on the job or our attitude.
Learn from past mistakes, and everybody wins.

Learn more about this author, Richard Serra.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Firings: Understand why you were fired?
We want to hear your view. Write now!