Looking for a job can be stressful during the best of times, but trying to find employment after having been fired from your last job can seem overwhelming. You probably wonder why an employer would hire someone who was fired. You may also worry that your potential employer will have the chance to talk to your old boss. Fortunately, taking a strategic approach may help you find a new job quickly and easily.
Step 1
Accept the emotions you feel regarding your situation. Being forced to look for new employment after being fired is a shock, and it comes with a host of emotions, according to MoreBusiness.com. You may fear that you will not be able to find a new job, and that you will run into financial trouble. You may also feel resentment toward your old employer. Accepting these emotions can reduce their hold on you, giving you more energy to devote to your job search.
Step 2
Evaluate your career objectives, advises Dr. Randall S. Hansen, a contributor to the Quintessential Careers website. If you are happy in your current field, look for a position similar to the one you held in your last job. However, this may also be the perfect time to contemplate taking your career in a new direction. While you are contemplating change, think about whether you want to stay in your current city or relocate.
Step 3
Update your résumé. Highlight major accomplishments from your last job. Accentuating achievements from your last job can take attention away from the reason you left.
Step 4
Begin sending out résumés as soon as possible. While you may be tempted to take a vacation or sit at home spending your severance pay, it is important to start the process of looking for a job immediately, notes MoreBusiness.com. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to find the motivation to search for jobs.
Step 5
Network with people in your current or new career field to uncover job opportunities, advises Dr. Hansen. Job fairs and business clubs are good places to find new opportunities. By meeting people in your intended career field, you may also find people who will be willing to recommend you to prospective employers.
Step 6
Prepare an explanation of why you left your last job, and be honest. Although you will likely experience rejection from some companies, many employers understand that being fired is a normal part of work life. Don't lie about why you were let go, advises Dr. Hansen. Admit that you were fired, instead of trying to pass off a termination as a "layoff." Although you may be tempted to bend the truth, if the interviewer contacts your former employer, your old human resources department may state that you are not eligible for rehire, which is a giveaway that you were fired. This can make you appear dishonest, which can cost you the new job.
Phrasing is very important in your explanation. If you were fired for a mistake, tell the interviewer that the mistake was a valuable learning experience, and explain how you have used that experience to strengthen your core skills. Also, explain the specific steps you have taken, such as entering into training or personal development education, to ensure that you do not make a similar mistake in your next job.
Things You'll Need
- Updated resume
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