Getting fired is never going to be a pleasant experience, but by handling it badly you’re only going to do more damage and it’s really not worth getting yourself worked up over. It’s natural that you will feel disappointed or angry, however by taking a positive outlook, it’ll be much easier for you to move onto something new.
The way you react to being let off and exit a company can have an effect on the future of your career, so it’s important that you do it as gracefully as possible. After all, it’s likely that you want to continue working in the industry and are going to cross paths with your ex employer or colleagues, so you don’t want to do anything you might regret.
Although it’s easier said than done, here are a few things that you really should avoid doing after being fired.
1) Don’t make a scene
Whether you expected it or not, it’s likely that you’d be upset at the news that you have lost your job, but try not to react badly or do anything irrational. Sometimes it’s hard to act rationally when emotions are running high, but you don’t want to act impulsively and end up burning bridges.
2) Don’t vent on social media
The worst thing you can do is have an outburst on social media. It’s a small world and you never know who could read it and who knows who. You’re likely to say something in the heat of the moment that you may regret later and by that point you’ve broadcast it to hundreds of people!
3) Don’t feel disheartened
Feeling sorry for yourself will get you nowhere. Yes you’ve just been let go from your current job, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find another one, maybe even a better one! If things don’t happen as quickly as hoped, don’t feel disheartened. By thinking positively, you will come across as a more positive and forward thinking individual who employers are more likely to want to hire.
4) Don’t spend a week in your underpants
When unemployed, you may feel like you don’t really have anything important to get out of bed for each day, so it’s easy to let your routine slip. Spending your days lounging around in your PJs may be the comfiest option, but chances are your whole mindset will relax and you’ll lose productivity. By setting your alarm for a decent time and getting up and dressed each day you will automatically be in a better frame of mine to be proactive in your job search.
5) Don’t lie about it
When looking for a new job, it’s likely that prospective employers will want to know why you left your last job. In this situation you really shouldn’t lie about it, as they may wish to conduct a background check. Unless you were fired for something horrendous, the best thing to do usually is to be honest about it.
6) Don’t compare yourself to other people
A lot of us are guilty of comparing ourselves to others, especially with social media becoming so integrated into daily life. By doing this you’re only going to make yourself feel worse and you’re not going to achieve anything from it. Success comes to those who work for it, so get out there and do just that!
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