Focus on Resilience: Bounce Back from Getting Fired

So you’ve been shown to the door. And in the immediate aftermath of a depressing day (to say the least), you aren’t sure how to even begin putting a positive spin on your situation. A simple layoff is one thing; responsible hiring managers don’t hold a layoff against a candidate if it happened due to events beyond her control. But this was no layoff. And as you were sent away, your bosses made the message clear that you have nobody to blame for this turn of events but yourself.

So what’s next? How can you frame this episode and learn from it without letting it cause long term damage to your confidence, your sense of self, and your career prospects?

Getting Fired: How to Move Forward:

1. First, you have permission to be upset. Take emotional shelter, and don’t make any big decisions for the next few days. Decide carefully who you’ll share your story with (you aren’t obligated to share it with anyone). And politely ignore well-meaning types who claim this will be “the best thing that ever happened to you.” They may be correct, and in a few years you’ll know for sure, but you don’t need this pabulum right now.
2. Chances are, you weren’t fired due to deliberately destructive actions. You were simply unhappy at the job, and this was starting to show through in your performance. So don’t look for another job exactly like this one. Instead, stop and think about why you and the job/company were a bad match. Then search for a new position, or even a new career, where you can use your unique strengths and skills, not struggle perpetually against your unique weaknesses.
3. It may take some time to work this out. The road ahead is rough and may wind on for a year or more before you’ve entered the next chapter of your life and you can start feeling fully okay again. So be patient, and remember that help is available if you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out.