You're fired, now what?

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"I didn’t get out of bed for days," a colleague confided. "I couldn’t believe that I had been fired. It was so humiliating and it made me so angry." When you lose your job, it knocks the air right out of you. No matter if it was your fault or simply a business restructuring, it still packs the same punch.

In spite of the booming economy during the 1990’s, there were actually more people laid off in each of the two final years of that decade than in all the previous years. Why? Because companies are being forced to constantly change how they do business, and that often means there will be casualties. And those were the boom years. Now that the economy has slowed, the body count is likely to rise even higher.

No one wants to think it will ever happen to him or her but why not be ready in case the axe does fall? Here are some tips to prepare yourself: 

Think twice before you counterattack. You have already lost this war, so opening fire with a personal attack could sour any severance offer the company was willing to make. However, if you feel that the termination is unjust or the company bares some responsibility for the situation, I encourage you to state your case and then ask for severance pay, health care benefits, outplacement services, earned commissions or other benefits you can negotiate. In exchange, you will probably be expected to sign an agreement stating that you will not sue the company in the future. 

Negotiate the terms of your separation if you can. For example, it may be to your advantage to say you "resigned" or that "the termination was mutually agreed upon." You also want to negotiate (and get in writing) the kind of reference your former employer will give. Even after you’ve walked out the door, it isn’t too late to negotiate for this. Most employers don’t want to ruin your life (honest). They usually are willing to bend on this one. 

Spend some time feeling sorry for yourself. Mourn your old identity. Go through the stages of loss…anger, denial, depression…but do it in the privacy of your own home. Job interviews are no place for emotional venting about the past, so get it out of your system. If you seem bitter or defensive, even your closest friends won’t want to risk introducing you to their contacts. You won’t be able to move forward until you’ve reached a level of acceptance.

SScript a response to the question. When someone asks, "Why did you leave your job?" be ready with a positive spin. "The company eliminated some duplicate jobs after the merger and my job was cut." "The company reorganized and our division was downsized." "The job didn’t turn out the way I expected. I tried to make it work but in the end it just wasn’t a good fit with my skills." 

Go public with your job search. If you are feeling embarrassed about being fired, forget it. In fact, employers don’t even blink when they find out someone was fired or laid off, especially if you have a good attitude. With so many dot coms going belly up and the big "brick and mortars" downsizing, fired employees don’t have the stigma they once did. However, be prepared for some probing questions designed to make sure you aren’t the problem. 

Actively expand your network. If you have been active in a professional organization and community groups, you may finally get some pay back. Call colleagues and let them know you are looking for another position. Keep your conversation focused on what you are looking for - not what you just left. Plan on buying more breakfasts and lunches than you ever have in your life. Ask them to critique your resume and get their advice on job search strategies. Most important, ask them for more names and introductions to their colleagues.

Getting fired isn’t the end of your life, even though it may feel that way at first. It usually is the beginning of a better life, if you are willing to go look for it. 

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)
Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email  – no shipping charge)
The Resume That Opens the Door and the Interview That Gets the Job (Detailed, 37-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)