What to do after getting fired

There are a number of reasons people can be fired from a job, whether they just aren’t performing well or the company has to cut costs. It’s never pleasant to be let go, and it takes a level of dignity to get through it unscathed. Here are some pointers from Fast Company on what to do after losing your job.

Stay calm
If you can at all help it, try not to react emotionally. Anger and shouting won’t change the situation, so it’s best to accept the news quietly and stay rational so you can ask questions about severance and what happens next.

Create a cover story
You can obviously be honest with your friends and family about why you’ve been fired, but you should also come up with a cover story that you can use when networking and interviewing. For instance, you can simply say the business was heading in a new direction and had to part ways with several employees.

Get on social media
The internet plays a huge part in recruitment these days, and a good proportion of employers use social media to scope out candidates. Develop your online presence – especially on LinkedIn – to make yourself more appealing to companies. Remember that leaving wasn’t your decision, so it’s okay to state on your profile that you’re looking for new opportunities.

Avoid job-search burnout
Tempting as it is to spend every waking hour searching and applying for jobs online after getting fired, that’s a bad idea. Focusing too much energy on online applications can lead to burnout, so get yourself out to networking events and get on the phone to companies you’re passionate about. You never know when a contact might turn into an interview offer.

Be realistic
Getting fired is hugely discouraging, especially if you’ve been with the company for years, but you will find another job. The key is to set realistic expectations for yourself. Can you get a new job within a week? It’s possible, but not likely. Taking a slow approach by networking and introducing yourself to people in the industry will probably yield better results than sending out applications en masse.

Read the original article at bit.ly/2kxCOb8