What To Do When You Lose A Job: A post from a fired entrepreneur
Fired from a job?
Don’t know where to start?
Here are the four things I did (& suggest):
Identify what went wrong (if you are still interested)
Get some counseling
Network: It's scary do it anyway
Don't carry a chip on your shoulder
1. Identify What Went Wrong
If you were terminated from your job, then it's important to know that it's not the end of the world. In fact, being terminated from a job is a great opportunity to reflect and make better decisions in the future. By identifying what went wrong and what you can do to prevent it, you're actually taking a proactive step in the right direction. Take it as an opportunity to prove yourself. Whether you were fired or you walked out on your job, you have to remember that there's a reason why you were terminated. It doesn't matter if you feel like you were treated unfairly or that you were singled out. The only thing that matters is that you find out what's wrong and address it. Ask yourself: What can I do better? What could I have done to prevent this from happening? At the end of the day, it's not where you stand, it's where you're going.
2. Get Some Counseling
The next thing you must do after being fired is to get some support. If you're lucky enough, you may have a network of friends and family that you can turn to, but if you're like most people, you'll need to seek out a professional. I know what you're thinking: "I don't need a therapist, I'm fine". I'm not saying you're depressed or that your life is completely out of control, but you need someone to talk to. I know this isn't something you want to do, but it's important. Therapists aren't just for sad people. They can also be there to help you work through things. If you don't want to go to a therapist, then consider talking to a family member or friend. Just try to avoid talking to someone who is directly involved with the company you were just fired from. They'll most likely be too biased (one way or the other) to give you the advice you need.
3. Network: It's scary do it anyway
Networking after being fired is a difficult thing to do. While it can be a valuable tool in the long run, it can also be a tricky thing to do. It's not exactly networking when you're looking for a job, it's networking in order to get back on your feet -- which is something that a lot of people have trouble doing. Once you've been fired, it's difficult to regain confidence that you'll find a job, but it's important to remain positive. Networking is the best way to do that. While you can't make yourself a priority, you can make it a priority to make other people a priority. That's why networking is essential to getting back on your feet.
4. Don't carry a chip on your shoulder
I know it's a cliche and some people find it annoying but when you get fired it's important to keep your head up and not carry a chip on your shoulder. Yes, it's important to be upset and angry, but you need to channel that into something positive like learning and moving on. Remember that most people aren't thinking about you or your job, and your friends and family will support you.
Conclusion
It's ok to feel down. It's ok to be fired. If you want to bounce back, you really have to take care of yourself. Start there.
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Maurice Thomas is an entrepreneur, award-winning educator and nonprofit leader from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After losing his job, he launched a career as a consultant and recovering entrepreneur helping companies to grow their business, while he learns to take things slow.
