There are many individuals who find themselves in a situation where they are fired or their job ends on a sour note. The toughest part is moving on and figuring out how to address this with the next potential employer. Below is a list of 5 things that will help you get through this different period of time.
1) Get over it: This may be the most difficult thing to do. After being fired, many people lose confidence in themselves…DON’T DO THAT! Anyone can get fired. It could happen to anyone, at any time, for almost any reason. You need to move on and focus on your next position. Take this opportunity to focus on the positive aspect of finding a new position.
2) Check with Unemployment: It’s not fancy, but it could provide you with much needed income during your transition period. In most cases, you will be eligible for this benefit. The sooner you do this after being fired, the sooner you will receive your unemployment benefits. Do not be too proud to accept this! You have been paying into it, unemployment was created for a time like this.
3) Don’t Promote It: When writing your resume and cover letter, do not include the fact that you were terminated. There will be plenty of time to discuss that during the interview.
4) Be Honest: Whether it be on the job application, phone screen or face-to-face interview…BE HONEST! Whether the termination was your fault or not, you must be honest. If the termination was not your fault, then be frank and explain the situation. Also, do not “bad mouth” your former boss. That will only make the situation worse. If the termination was your fault, express remorse and make sure to let the hiring manager know that you have learned a valuable lesson. Make sure to focus on the positive aspects, not the negative ones.
5) Be Prepared: The most asked question in an interview is “Why did you leave your last position?” Be prepared to answer that. Write out your response and practice it. The worst thing you could do in an interview is to answer that question “on the fly” after being terminated. Sounding confident in your response may be the difference between landing the job or being back on the market.
Getting fired is something that hundreds of thousands of people face every year. If you happen to be one of them, move on and get prepared for your next challenge.
Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at kenny@hansonresumes.com
Tags: cover letter, job application, transition period, unemployment benefits
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