Losing your job is never easy. The loss of income and future job growth is hard to handle emotionally. Whether you agree with the reasons for the termination or not, it is important to jump right back into your new job search. If you have unemployment benefits, do not wait until those benefits are almost gone before beginning your search. Develop a plan of attack to give yourself the best chance at finding a job at which you will excel and enjoy.
Step 1
Update your old resume or write a new one. Look on the Internet for examples of resumes and format your resume similarly. Add new skills and responsibilities. Do not mention your reason for leaving your job on your resume. Explain the circumstances of your termination in person or over the phone.
Step 2
Target your job search by region and position. Research jobs that use similar skills to your previous position. Do not limit yourself to staying in exactly the same field or position. Use this time as an opportunity to find a job in another industry. Make a list of jobs you can perform with your education and previous experience to use as keywords when searching on the Internet.
Step 3
Commit to spending several hours each day looking for a job. Look at finding a job as your new full-time job. Try not to let your termination depress you or make you feel like you can never find another position, counsels the University of Washington Human Resources. Meet with an employment counselor if you are struggling.
Step 4
Contact your friends, acquaintances and work associates to let them know you are in the job market. Send them a copy of your resume and a generic cover letter. Ask your network of people to give your resume to their human resources department. Keep in touch on a regular basis.
Step 5
Use the Internet as a tool for find a job. Look on job boards, company websites and governmental sites. Load your resume onto job boards and make it searchable. Fill out online applications and use your new resume to answer questions. If asked on an online application your reason for leaving your last job, be positive but honest. Leave the line blank if possible.
Step 6
Consider taking on a temporary position or volunteering for a charitable organization while you are looking for a job. Meet new people, develop new contacts and keep yourself busy during the hours you are not actively searching for a new job. Ask if the organization is considering hiring new workers.
Step 7
Prepare for upcoming job interviews by looking your best, and asking your spouse or friend to ask you sample interview questions. Prepare to answer the question, "Why did you leave your last job?" Avoid the temptation to criticize your previous employer, but instead explain what happened and what you learned from the experience.
Tips and Warnings
- Take classes to improve your computer skills or complete your degree. Print your resume on white, high-quality paper. Think of your job search as marketing yourself to a company. File for unemployment benefits if you are eligible. Be open with your family about how you are feeling. Send your application with a targeted cover letter if possible.
- Always be honest when asked about your termination.
Things You'll Need
- Resume
- Cover letter
References
- Resume-Help.org: Keep Your Resume Current
- University of Washington Human Resources: Coping With Job Loss
- QuintCareers.com: The Career Doctor's Cures and Remedies: "How Do I Go About Looking for a New Job After Being Fired/Terminated/Downsized?"
- Emerson College (Massachusetts): Making the Best of Bad Times: Volunteering to Gain Experience and Fill Resume Gaps
- Southern Methodist University: Preparing for the Successful Job Interview
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