How to bounce back once you have been fired from the previous job

No one knows. No one will ever know. And no one really cares! Remember these lines the next time you’re haunted by thoughts of getting fired. Getting fired is no big deal these days. Unless you have done something extremely unethical which has affected the overall existence of the company and put a big question mark on your conduct as a professional, being fired from the previous employer will not harm you or your career in any way. However, you still need to be very careful when looking out for a new job. Being fired may not be a stigma, but it is something unusual. If you decide to share the fact with your potential employer, you better be ready to handle it well.

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Here are some tips that you will help you adopt the right approach at the time of interview:

Give yourself some time to accept the situation

“Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune” – William James

Acceptance is the first step to bouncing back. Unless and until you yourself get acquainted with the situation, no one will be able to help you. Dealing with your negative emotions is the first step to bouncing back in the job market. Having a positive aura not only attracts good opportunities but also helps woo potential employers. Remember, in today’s job market, you can find ample opportunities followed by good offers if you display a confident outlook, and getting a good grip on the situation is the only way to boost your confidence. Sit back, relax, and introspect. Why were you fired? Is there anything lesson to learn from the whole fiasco? How would you implement these lessons in becoming a better professional? Once you have the answers to these, it would become much easier to improve your future employability.

Start with the job hunt

Now that you’ve successfully dealt with negative emotions, it’s time to get back to work. Finding a job is a full time venture. You might have to devote a good part of your day looking through web portals, newspaper adverts, and other sources to find the right opportunity for yourself. Don’t let the feeling of failure sink in. Being fired doesn't mean that you should settle for any offer that comes your way. Identify the best areas to look for a new position and wait for the right opportunity. Perhaps you may want to explore a new career path or reassess your strengths, values and interests to make your case stronger. In any case, you deserve to work with a good employer.

Work out your CV and nail the interview questions

Firstly, if your last job was brief, lasting less than 6 months, you can afford to omit it from you CV. However, if you think that you had a good exposure of work that will add value to your potential employment, then be ready to explain why you had to leave. This is where you need to be a bit shrewd in your approach, primarily because you know that you were fired. Here are some ways to respond to it:

If you were laid off or fired due to a change in the company’s structure:

Response: “As you know, my previous company had a merger that led to downsizing, and unfortunately they had to ask me to leave along with other 20 colleagues.”

Or

“Our department was recently restructured, and the new structure had no place to accommodate the skills and expertise that I possess.”

If you were fired due to bad performance

Of course, you had your reasons for not performing up to the mark, but your job in this situation is to emphasise on the mutual agreement. Briefly explain the circumstances, and say “It was a joint decision.” Be sure to put across good reasons for you to want the current job and how your presence will add value to the potential employability.

If you were fired due to a conflict with colleagues or your boss

This may not be a big deal for your potential employer, but you can always justify it by saying, “People come from different backgrounds and cultures, and even though, as a team member, I try to maintain my calm and dignity, some situations can be really trying. But after my previous encounter, I have learned that…” and continue with your learning and how you plan to implement it in your new job. You will need to convince employers that things will be different if they hire you in a similar capacity.

Bonus tip

Remember, never criticise your former managers or employers since you might be viewed as an employee with an attitude problem.

So there you go! Being fired is not the end of the road. All you need is to maintain your calm, work out your strengths, and bounce back fully recharged. Bad things happen to everyone. The one who can overshadow them and move on is the one who climbs the ladder of success with pride.