What to Do If You’ve Been Unexpectedly Fired

“Your first step forward may be giving yourself time to process.”

Unexpectedly losing a job can make it difficult to know what to do next. There are practical decisions to make, but there are also emotions that need to be acknowledged before they influence those decisions.

I know this from experience. I was fired nearly 20 years ago. Looking back, I can recognize my own contribution to what happened and the lessons I took from it. That perspective is much harder to find when you are still experiencing the initial shock.

The first step is to understand what happened as objectively as possible. There are two sides to most workplace disputes. Take an honest look at the circumstances and your own actions. If you have reason to believe something was handled improperly, getting qualified legal advice may also be appropriate.

Next, understand your financial runway. Do you need another job immediately or do you have time to consider your options? Knowing that can help you make decisions based on your circumstances rather than fear.

If you have the flexibility, give yourself some time to process what happened. Job loss can involve grief. You do not need to immediately explain the situation to everyone or rush into another position simply because you are uncomfortable with the uncertainty.

Once you have some clarity, think carefully about what you want next. You may want a similar role. You may decide this is an opportunity to pivot toward a different type of work or organization.

Getting fired can feel like the end of something significant because it is. But it can also create an opportunity to reflect on what happened, take responsibility where appropriate and make a more intentional decision about what comes next.