Getting a job after being fired

By JOSEPH KABUYE
“I made a terrible mistake that cost me my job. I really screwed up. Will any one hire me again? My career has come to an end. What have I done to my self?”

Yes, you did do something to result into your being terminated. That is if your reason for being fired was not simply market forces or things beyond your control. Will being fired devastate your chances of getting another job? Not necessarily. It all depends on the situation.

Many successful people have “screwed-up” big time at one point or another during their career. And yet, they bounced back. Sometimes it is because we are young and immature. Just starting out and making our fair share of mistakes from not knowing how the job world works.

Other times, it is because we are angry at somebody or how business is being done. In other words, we get frustrated and let it out. But this does not automatically mean you will never find another job.

One thing I like to mention is that you are not alone in feeling this way, or in getting fired. Many people get the boot from their jobs for a wide-range of reasons. So, you have got plenty of company, which should make you feel better because it is not just you. The mistake people make is to assume the worst.

“I got fired and now I am screwed!” Yes, you messed-up but it will not necessarily devastate your chances of regaining employment. True, it will make it harder, but many people get rehired after being fired. It all depends on the reason for your termination.

Here are some steps to help you get back on that job search wagon after you have been fired.
 
Cool off
Chances are that you are angry about being fired. If you jump right into job hunting, you risk entering an interview with a negative attitude or making a disparaging remark about your former employer, neither of which will win you any points.

Strengthen your resumé
An updated resumé that focuses on your accomplishments is necessary when beginning a new job search. Focus on how your actions at recent jobs have helped improve productivity or efficiency.

Network with former colleagues
By obtaining an interview through a connection with someone who knows you personally, you give yourself an advantage. Your skills and work ethic may not be questioned as thoroughly as they would be when applying for a job where no one knows you. Provide good references that can validate your ability to do the job you are interviewing for.

Having a list of former supervisors or colleagues who are willing to vouch for you helps offset the negative feelings a potential employer may have when he finds out you were fired.

Tell the interviewer about your termination
Being up front and honest about the situation without going into too much detail shows the interviewer that you are willing to address a negative situation openly.

Maintain a positive attitude
Even though being fired is not the best situation in which to look for a new job, having an upbeat personality and staying confident about your abilities can help you overcome this hurdle.

The writer is an industrial and organisational psychologist
kabuyejoseph@ymail.com