You're Fired! How to Deal with It by Marc LeVine

Have you ever been let go by an employer for any reason? If so, you already have valuable insight into how well you managed the unfortunate news.?

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There are many terminated employees, happy to be free of the chains of employment bondage.?Perhaps, they struggled with the decision over whether to stay or go and feared being long-term unemployed. ?So, they suffered in silence until their employers did them a favor by terminating them. They left gleefully! Others may not have taken their own terminations as well and lost their cool.?

Those prone to fits of anger often say and do things they may regret later.?Therefore, it is very important to prepare – in advance – for a day we may be terminated by an employer. How we handle being terminated from working may have significant personal and career ramifications.

What is being terminated, really??

Is it an abject mark of failure??No, it is not.?But just as death is a part of living, termination is a part of employment.?There is much better news here. ?There is life AFTER termination. Termination of employment is nothing more than an administrative closing out of your employment at a single employer. There should be no stigma attached, because even when someone voluntarily chooses to retire, their employer must administratively close out their records as an active employee. Employment at one company ends and you prepare for the next opportunity if you seek one.

When you are terminated for controversial reasons, anger may get the best of you. You feel rejection as though your human value has somehow been diminished. Your self-esteem is deflated. ?It hurts and you want to fight back to defend your honor and pride. ?This is when things often go awry. Feeling extremely vulnerable your judgement may slip and so may your words and actions, causing an outburst or show of anger that can only make things worse. ?Avoid the anger and accept the realities.

What you say and do at the time of termination has BOTH benefits and consequences, so follow these few helpful steps:

1.??????Mentally prepare for the day you may be terminated. Understand that once the employer’s decision is made to terminate you, the only thing left is to negotiate your severance package. What special considerations might you want upon exiting the company? You need your wits about you. This is good reason to practice being calm and accepting what has happened. ?

2.??????Know your end game and what it may mean.?You must leave all employers under good terms. There is always the chance you may be eligible for rehire. Your past employers are also potential job references as are your former co-workers. ?It is a small world, and you never know who you may cross paths with in the future. Remain professional and leave the company with your chin up.

3.??????Check your disappointment at the exit door.?Never campaign against former employers by talking them down to others, going online and trashing them, and/or bad-mouthing them to potential future employers. None of this can have a beneficial effect on you and your career. It is a much worse refection on you than on them.

4.??????Maintain a positive attitude no matter what.?If you are ever terminated – just move on.?Be appreciative of the opportunity you were given.?After all, you were chosen for the job and collected a regular paycheck. The best of it all is that you took away a great deal of on the job experience you will likely apply in your next job.

Recently terminated? Prove to others that you maintain your dignity and professionalism even under the most difficult circumstances. Make people want to look up to you and never down at you! Corny but true - one door closes and a new one opens.?Don’t carry heavy baggage along on the rest of your career journey!?It will only weigh you down and slow your journey.

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The Author

Listen to Marc's latest interview on The AutomationBlog Podcast with Shawn Tierney.

Marc LeVine?is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions and Learning and Development Lead at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021. His prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ