What To Do After Getting Fired: Tips For Bouncing Back Stronger

If you’ve just recently been fired or are curious with what happens after getting fired, here are a few things you should know, as well as some tips on what you should do to recover.

By Kimberly Chang on 2024-08-12 at 2:44 PM

Updated on 2024-08-21 at 3:22 AM

Is Being Fired The End Of Your Career? Here's How To Bounce Back Stronger

Losing your job is everyone’s worst nightmare, especially when you don’t expect it. It can be hard and is certainly a knock to the confidence, regardless of the reason why your employer fired you.

The most terrifying part comes from the fear that you’ll never get another job. However—being fired doesn’t make you any less employable.

Don't believe us? Take it from these people:

Steve Jobs: 

Fired from Apple, his own company that he started. Went on to find Pixar Animation Studios, and NeXT. Then even returned to Apple as CEO and invented the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, bringing in new heights of success to his company.

Oprah Winfrey:

Fired early on in her career as an evening news reporter. Told that she was “unfit for television news” Then she was offered a job to do a daytime TV show where it took off, became famous and now has her own show.

Walt Disney, Elvis Presley, J.K. Rowling, Madonna, Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson

If you were previously fired, you have something in common with all of these now exceptionally successful people, and you can be too!

“Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s a part of success” – William Ritter

Step-by-Step Guide On How To Deal With Getting Fired

1. What to do immediately after

Dos

Read over the termination papers and ask yourself:

• Are your vacation days being paid out?
• Is the termination fair?
• Will it give you enough time to get back on your feet?
• If not, negotiate

Though a termination really feels like a huge disadvantage, you must remember that you still have rights that you can benefit from. If you see that there are vacation days that you still haven’t used up, claim them as part of your pay. If the termination is of too short notice and does not fulfill the required notice period, negotiate. It would be against workers rights to terminate someone immediately without a notice period.

Don’ts

• Cut off all professional ties
• Delete all files
• Rant about former company on social media

The first few days after losing your job can be very emotional. It’s important to keep a level head and act rationally. You must remain professional and stop yourself from doing anything that could be harmful like jumping on to social media to rant about your now-former company or boss. This will most taint your professional reputation. Not only does it make you look unprofessional, you could even be susceptible to a lawsuit.

2. Take care of your emotional and physical well-being

Take time and allow yourself to grieve

The only way to be able to move forward is to acknowledge the hurt

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Uplift your mood by going out and doing the things you enjoy

Get some fresh air and do things that motivate you

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Pamper yourself

Remind yourself that you are special and deserve good things

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Reflect & Improve yourself professionally

Think about why it happened and learn from the experience so you can become better

3. Establish emergency savings

Everyone should have an emergency savings account. You never know when you’ll get hit with an unexpected expense or a sudden loss of income. If you don’t yet have savings, get started now!

4. Pause non-essential subscriptions

Think about your entertainment accounts, like Netflix or Spotify. Putting aside these non-essential subscriptions for a while will help you save on money while you are still looking for a new stable income.

5. Look into unemployment benefits

If you have been making monthly EIS contributions from your salary, you should have been automatically enrolled into the EIS system. EIS stands for Malaysia’s Employment Insurance System and for up to six months, EIS will provide cash allowance, as well as other unemployment benefits like job counselling, training, and matching. To claim your EIS benefits, all you have to do is apply via the EIS Portal or go to the nearest SOCSO branch or office.

6. Find a way to earn money on the side

In case money is going to be a bit tight that month, it’s definitely good practice to find other ways you can make money while you are still jobhunting. You can use this extra money so you don’t have to be too cautious about your spending. If there’s no need to spend the extra money, you might as well save it!

7. Review Your Severance Package

Before you exit, make sure you fully understand what your severance package includes. This might cover financial compensation, extended benefits, or services to help you transition to a new job. It's important to go through the details carefully and consider negotiating if you feel the offer isn't sufficient. Remember, severance is part of your rights as an employee, so ensure it meets your needs.

8. Check Your Eligibility for Unemployment Benefits

If you've been contributing to the Employment Insurance System (EIS) in Malaysia, you might be entitled to unemployment benefits. EIS can provide you with a monthly cash allowance for up to six months, as well as access to job counseling, training, and matching services. To get these benefits, apply via the EIS Portal or visit your nearest SOCSO office. It's important to apply promptly to avoid any delays in receiving assistance.

9. Consider Consulting an Employment Attorney

If you think your termination was unfair or you're having issues with your severance package, it may be helpful to speak with an employment attorney. They can guide you through your rights, help negotiate better terms, or even pursue legal action if needed. An attorney can also provide advice on how to navigate complex employment laws, ensuring that your rights are fully protected.

10. Secure Positive References

Even though losing your job is tough, it's essential to leave on good terms where possible. Reach out to colleagues or former managers who can speak positively about your skills and work ethic. Strong references can be crucial when you're applying for new jobs. Kindly ask for a reference letter or permission to list them as a contact in your job search. A good reference can help offset any negative aspects of your firing.

11. Update Your Resume

Once you've had the time to reflect, it's crucial to update your resume with your most recent experience. Highlight your achievements and the skills you've developed. If the reason for your termination was due to restructuring or other non-performance-related reasons, you can mention that during interviews or in your cover letter to provide context.

12. Re-enter the Job Search with a Fresh Perspective

Getting back into the job market can be daunting, especially after being fired, but it's important to approach your job search with renewed energy. Start by identifying the type of roles you want and update your job search profiles, such as LinkedIn, to reflect your most recent experience. Take advantage of job search platforms, networking events, and professional connections to discover new opportunities.

13. Reach Out to Important Contacts

Now is the time to lean on your professional network. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry connections to let them know you're on the market. You don't have to go into details about your termination—just inform them that you're looking for new opportunities. Your network can be a powerful tool in helping you find your next role, whether through direct job leads or referrals.

14. Consider How to Frame Your Story

How you tell the story of your termination is important, especially during interviews. Think carefully about how to explain what happened in a way that's honest but also positions you in a positive light. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it has made you a stronger candidate. Emphasise your commitment to moving forward and the steps you've taken to improve yourself. A well-framed story can turn a potentially negative situation into a strength.

Though being fired is a relatively negative experience, most often than not, people look back and attribute it as one of the biggest stepping stones for their future success.

This is because depending on the situation, being fired can teach you many things whether it be about yourself, the company or other people.

It’s important to think about what could have been different and reassess your skills. 

Sometimes things just are not going to work and that’s okay. It’s best to move on and make sure that you are set up for success in the next position you take.

Let’s turn this experience into a positive one and start looking for your new job on Hiredly!

By Kimberly Chang on 2024-08-12 at 2:44 PM