Get Fired Fast

The decision is made. Maybe you screwed up and did something that warranted being fired. We know that happens. Or maybe you just didn’t perform. That can be subjective. Or maybe the 360 degree review came back with all negatives. Like it or not, no one likes you. Or maybe you lost an election. It’s tough to argue with the objective nature of votes.

In your heart of hearts you know you are finished. If so, it’s time to take your medicine and get out of there as fast as you can. It does no one any good to stick around and keep asking for another chance. Instead, start wondering what the reference calls will reveal and hope that your employer sticks with company policy: “Yes, he/she worked here and that is all I can tell you.”

Most of us have been fired, some for good reasons, some for not. For those of you who have not been fired, it’s not too late. When it happens, you don’t need to commiserate with the boss or colleagues about being treated unfairly or cheated. Take the severance check, clean out the workspace, turn in your badge and get out of there. Nothing will be gained by sticking around or trashing the boss’s car – you won’t get the job back. Start planning for what’s next and hope that this is an opportunity no matter whether you are at the bottom or the top of the organization chart.