For many employees, losing a job is an emotionally and professionally devastating experience. Your dignity, confidence, and professional reputation are typically the first casualties after a sudden dismissal, regardless of the reason for your departure. This turmoil often leaves employees confused and disempowered, unsure of how to recover emotionally and professionally.
In this blog post, our wrongful dismissal lawyers will guide employees grappling with the shock of a recent termination. We’ll offer some immediate practical tips for how to deal with being fired and discuss strategies for making a smooth transition to new employment opportunities.
How to Deal with Being Fired: Immediate Actions
The hours and days after learning about your dismissal can be some of the toughest for employees. What you do during this period can also significantly impact your professional and financial future. Here are some essential actions to protect yourself immediately after your firing.
Find a Safe Place to Express Your Emotions
It’s natural to feel many strong emotions after you lose your job. However, being careful about when and where you express your feelings is essential. Never take your anger out on your boss or coworkers, whether in person or on social media. Publicly airing your grievances can escalate an already difficult situation. It also risks damaging your professional reputation and hurting your future job opportunities.
Instead, find a healthy way to release your emotions in private. Reach out to family, friends, or a therapist. Be open, and don’t hide your resentment, sadness, or confusion. If you need to rant, this is the place to do it. It’s important not to isolate yourself during this period. Suppressing your emotions or trying to deal with them on your own can lead to more frustration and anxiety.
Learn the Reason You Were Let Go
It can be painful to confront the reason for your termination. However, understanding why you lost your job can also grant insights to help you prepare for your next role. Did you face performance issues? Problems with attendance? Conflict with a manager or coworker? Budget cuts or downsizing? If your termination letter does not include this information, you can ask HR to send one detailing the reason for your firing.
Understand Your Rights
Even if you’re fired, you still have rights. Some employees may have severance agreements offering some financial support and other benefits after a dismissal. If you’re entitled to a severance package, it’s a good idea to review it with a lawyer so that you understand the extent of your benefits and obligations. Be aware: if you’re fired for cause, you may no longer be eligible for severance.
Regardless of the reason, you can still access healthcare at group rates if your employer has at least 20 employees. Thanks to federal COBRA coverage, employees can stay on an employer’s insurance plan for up to 18 months after termination. However, you will have to pay the full premium cost for care.
File for Unemployment
If the reason for your dismissal was out of your control, you can file for unemployment benefits. California employees let go for no fault of their own can be eligible for 26 weeks of financial support while searching for a new job.
Tips for Moving Forward After Your Dismissal
Understandably, your top concern is how to get your job back after being terminated. Everyone has bills to pay, groceries to buy, and maybe even a family to feed. However, it’s important not to jump unquestioningly into the job market. Rushing back into things too quickly can risk landing you in an ill-fitting, unsatisfying, or unstable role.
Let’s review some steps that can help you strategically manage your firing and prepare for new opportunities.
Rebuild Your Confidence
Getting fired can be a massive hit to your self-confidence. Before you’re ready for the job market, trying to repair the emotional damage you’ve suffered is essential. Set aside some time to consider what you’ve achieved over the past two, five, or ten years—both in and outside of the working world. Make lists of your skills and strengths, and keep them somewhere you can easily refer to if you need a confidence boost.
Reflect on Your Role and Job Goals
The end of one job can also be an opportunity to make valuable changes. Reflect on your previous job experience: What did you like and dislike about your role? Which parts of your job did you excel most, and which were most challenging? Are there other roles or industries that appeal to you?
If you’re considering a career change, research the jobs that interest you and identify any relevant transferable skills you have.
Make a Plan
Once you know what new role you want to pursue, create a plan for getting there. Break the job search down into actionable steps. These can include:
- Updating your resume,
- Informing your network that you’re in the job market,
- Connecting with professionals at desired companies or relevant roles,
- Taking classes to build skills, and
- Drafting cover letters and application materials.
When it comes time to apply for jobs, be consistent and persistent. Try to send out a few applications daily, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Many other people are also looking for jobs, so it’s important to be patient and keep putting yourself out there.
Prepare to Talk About Your Dismissal
At some point, someone will probably ask you about your termination. The issue might come up directly—“Have you ever been fired?”—or simply when an interviewer asks why you left your last job. It’s critical to prepare for this moment. Speaking about your firing calmly and strategically can help prevent the door from shutting on a future opportunity.
Here are some tips for how to respond to this kind of question:
- Be honest—lying to hide your firing can backfire and further hurt your reputation;
- Use objective terms—describe the core issue in simple language without demonizing your former company or boss; and
- Focus on growth—if appropriate, admit your mistakes and use this as an opportunity to highlight your growth by explaining what you learned from your experience and the effort you’ve made to improve.
Practice your response ahead of time until you feel comfortable presenting your experience in a positive light that can help you on your way to your next opportunity.
Supporting California Employees Since 2014
At Tomorrow Law™, we understand employees face many difficult questions and decisions after a dismissal. Contact our office immediately if you’re concerned that unlawful motives played a role in your firing. Our attorneys offer free consultations for Californians facing a variety of workplace disputes, from wrongful termination to discrimination to wage theft. In the past decade, we’ve helped thousands of employees recover tens of millions in compensation. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.
David Bibiyan, a top attorney at Tomorrow Law™, specializes in employment law, fiercely defending employees in cases of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage issues. Known for his deep legal knowledge and dedication, he consistently secures favorable outcomes through skillful negotiation and litigation. His passion for justice drives his commitment to workers’ rights and fair employment practices.
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