What Five Things Must I Do After Being Fired?
73Take These 5 Steps Before Doing Anything Else
1.) Don’t bug out. Although it seems like it, it’s not the end of the world. Sure, you may have a mortgage, utility bills, etc., to pay, but there are lots of ways these days to keep the wolf away from your door. If you have a lot of credit card debt, call these companies and let them know you’re out of work. If you argue enough (and with the right people), you may be able to work out a deal. Don’t wait for them to come to you.
2.) Stay focused. If you don’t stay focused, you’ll end up on the sofa all day eating Pringles and watching Oprah (You can’t afford Pringles, anyway!) Keep the TV off and hit up the internet for your job search. Stay networked with friends in the business. This is the time to call in all favors.
3.) Take inventory. I’m not speaking of personal inventory here. I’m talking about cash, stocks, mutual funds, the $1.83 in pennies tucked away in the chair cushions. All of it. This is the time to get that $20 borrowed by your drunken friend at Hooters last July. Call in all bets. You’ll need every dime you can get your hands on.
4.) Stay sharp. And by this I mean looks. It’s really easy to get into a habit of not shaving, wearing those favorite sweats and your 1983 Van Halen Tour T-Shirt with the hole under the left arm. Sleeping until noon is also not a good idea. This is a really easy habit to get into, so don’t become a victim. After the first week I was unemployed, I looked in the mirror and saw Saddam (before the hanging) staring back at me. Don’t let this happen to you.
5.) Take time to relax. Hanging in front of the computer all day or constantly on the phone in a job search catches up with you fast. Take breaks throughout the day. Take a walk, read a bit, get creative. Do what I did and make a Voodoo doll of your former boss and fill it full of extra sharp needles. Place the needles in areas you believe would be the most painful, such as under the armpits, the groin and through the ears. It’s more fun than it sounds.
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Thanks Ralph. I did apply for unemployment. RI has an 8 week waiting period for those who were fired or discharged. In my case, I used a profanity against a shoplifter who refused to keep his hands away from his pockets. He complained to corporate, corporate apologized to him, provided him with a $15 Gift Card and fired me for cursing. It's all true, as I could never make that up.
rockinjoe, Dr. Phil, wom you may not like, says that when a person is unemployed, his new job is getting a job, that he should work eight hours a day pursuing a position. I am retired now, and have never been in that position, but I have thought about it (and have an unemployed son who is watching too much TV, as you mentioned). At any rate, you have a thoughtful Hub here.
Hi George, a Dr.Phil fan I'm not, but I always respect the opinion of others, especially those older and wiser than I. Since my parents are now both deceased, a vast well of knowledge has dried up for me, so thank you for the input. Good luck to your son!
wow, I needed to read this article. Recently fired here, first time in my life, kinda freaking out. This helped, thanks.
Thank you for this hub. I'm about to be fired because I'm diabetic and can't say 100% that I'll never be off sick in the future! I just loved point number 5. I love crafts so I guess I know what we'll be doing in our homeschool tomorrow!
@ Tigermadstanley - you can't get fired for being diabetic, get real.
I'm being fired from my first real job today, due to circumstances and statistics that I cannot directly control. This hub was helpful, but I think only time (and a new job) will erase these feelings of uselessness and shame.
Hi There, TheDietKiwi, I'm sorry about your job. It's one of the worst feelings in the world, but you'll get through it. The old saying about another door opening when one shuts is true. Try not to beat yourself up over it too much. Good luck!
Ralph Deeds Level 6 Commenter 5 years ago
Depending on the circumstances of your dismissal you may want to consider filing for unemployment compensation. In Michigan, disqualifying misconduct must be serious. The controlling court decision defines disqualifying misconduct as "wanton or willful disregard of the employer's interest." That's a pretty high burden for the employer to meet in disqualifying a fired employe from eligibility for unemployment compensation. Moreover, in order to avoid triggering an unemployment compensation tax rate increase by having a terminated employee collect unemployment compensatin, some employers never lay anybody off when their business decreases, they simply fire an employee or two for "misconduct" and don't get around to replacing them until business increases. So, if you are fired for something minor, file for unemployment compensation. It doesn't cost anything to file, and you might get it which would help keep the wolf away from the door until you find another job.
For more information, see my hub "Unemployment Compensation--Tips for Claimants."