Simply Fired – What to do When You’ve Been Let Go

Getting fired or let go from your job is never an easy pill to swallow. However, with the economy the way it is and businesses cutting back instead of expanding, being let go has unfortunately become a way of life. So what the heck do you do when you’ve been let go?

First things first; take a day and just relax and get your thoughts together. Losing your job may be a big deal, but it is not the end of your working life. After you have taken a day you need to then formulate a plan to get back into the work place as fast as you can. Here are some of the things you should do once you have been let go:

• Seek Unemployment: Depending on the circumstances of your lay off you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. This is no doubt a humbling experience but the benefits are there for a reason and though you will not receive nearly what you were making at your former job, at least the benefits will provide you with something while you look for a new job.
• Get Your Resume Ready: Take some time and brush up your resume. Really give it a good going over as it may have been some time since you last used it. Make sure that everything is up to date and that the resume reads as well as possible and above all else, don’t forget to proof read it. If you need help, hire a professional resume service - the expense will be worth it.
• Distribute Your Resume: Once you feel your resume is up to par you then need to distribute it. You can post it on job boards such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com but you also want to begin to fax it or e-mail it to potential employers that are looking to hire.
• Network: Let everyone in your social and work circles know that you are actively looking for a new job. All it takes is one person knowing the right opportunity exists and you will be back to the daily grind before you know it.
• Attend Job Fairs: If you look you will find an abundance of job fairs that go on right in your own back yard. These are wonderful opportunities for you to network, pass out some resumes, and even possibly discover a job that you may not have ever thought about but would certainly enjoy doing.
• Practice Interviewing: You will eventually get interviews for different positions and you may need to brush up on your interviewing skills. The perfect way to do this is to look in the mirror and interview yourself. Ask yourself questions and then answer them honestly. Would you hire yourself? If the answer is no then the potential employer would probably say the same thing. Keep at it as practice makes perfect.

Getting the pink slip, getting the axe, being let go, getting fired; however you say the words it is no fun. But with some dedicated work and a lot of tenacity on your part you can get back in the workplace in no time at all. Just remember to keep a positive attitude and an open mind and then get out there and find your new job.