If you’ve been fired, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions—from sadness and humiliation to anger and frustration. And if you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering what your next steps should be. While the aftermath of being fired can be difficult, there are things you can do to make the process easier. We’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions after being fired and what you should do after you’ve been fired.
Should you ask why you were fired?
Yes. You should ask the reasoning, in fact if you’re outside your probation period employers are legally obligated to tell you why you were fired. We understand it can be painful to have your shortcoming laid out in front of you ultimately it will allow you to learn from your mistakes and help you grow. On the other hand, your employer might be letting you go because of structural changes. In that case its a weight off your shoulders.
Now let’s go into what you should do after you’ve been fired
Negotiate severance pay
If you’re offered severance pay, it’s important to understand what you’re agreeing to. You may be asked to sign a release, which is a legal document that waives your right to sue the company. Make sure you understand the terms of the release before you sign it. If you’re not comfortable with the terms, you may be able to negotiate for a better severance package. You may also want to consider hiring an employment lawyer if you feel like you can’t understand all the legal jargon.
Take time to take care of yourself emotionally
Getting fired from your job can be emotionally draining, it’s ok to let yourself grieve for your loss of employment. Sometimes the best thing that you can do is to acknowledge it in order to move past it.
Take the time to reflect on why it happened.
Make a financial plan
Since you’ve lost your employment it now means that you’ve lost your financial income so you’ll want to make sure that you have a plan in place to hold you over while you look for another job or figure out what your next step is.
Here are some things you might want to think about
- do you have emergency savings?
- what’s your plan for health insurance
- look into unemployment benefits
Update Your Resume
If you’re ready to start job hunting again the first step is to brush up your resume and make sure it’s up to date. Add in all your new experiences, skills and certifications.
Should you disclose that you were fired?
You don’t need to tell a future employer that you were fired unless you are directly asked. However, your employer can also tell a future employer that you were fired. The way around this is to not give a future employer a reference from the previous employer.
Reach out to your network
You might always want to reach out to your network and start asking them to forward you some potential opportunities. You never know who might have a lead for you.
Get help from a professional
If you’re finding it difficult finding a job after being fired, you may want to consider seeking a recruiter. Recruiters know the industry and have a list of potential employees where you might be the perfect fit. They can help you update your resume, prep you for the interview and help with offer negotiations.
FAQs
With all that said and done let’s go into some of the most frequently asked questions.
What do you put on an application if you were fired?
You can put that the job was “terminated” or “job ended”. However keep in mind that they might ask you why you are no longer at the company in which case you’ll need to provide an answer.
How to explain being fired?
All you’ve got to do is be honest with the company that you’re applying for. Don’t feel like you need to go into all the specifics. Keep it brief and be honest.
Should you write a thank you letter after being fired?
A thank you letter can be a great way to keep a positive relationship between you and your employer. This might be valuable if a future employer attempts to contact your previous employer
Now that you’ve been fired, it’s time to take some time for yourself and assess the situation. This might include taking some time off, networking with friends and family, or reaching out to a recruiter.
If you are having trouble finding a job, reach out to us! We can help connect you with resources and opportunities that will help you get back on your feet. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to ask for help – there are plenty of people who want to see you succeed.