fired from my job-HOW TO HANDLE IT

Career
By Michael Mayne

I was recently fired from my job, and I'm still very upset since I've always worked hard and thought I would retire from this organization, which I helped to build. I feel totally deflated and demoralized - certainly not what I expected at this stage in my career. What should I do? Any ideas?

Job loss, especially if it comes unexpectedly, is always a shock. Many of us naturally place a great deal of our self-worth into what we do for a living, but it's critical to think beyond the immediate, and look at the longer term. The following steps should assist you during this transitionary period.

1. Take Some Time to Think
Maintain your dignity and professionalism throughout this trying period. You should allow yourself to grieve for something you lost, but don't wallow in self-pity. Instead, select two or three "safe" confidants for airing your feelings. It is critically important that you carefully maintain your public image as a competent professional who can roll with the punches. Behaving negatively, or like a "victim" can only hurt your future opportunities.

2. Evaluate Your Severance Offer
Severance pay is not a reward for long or loyal service. It is a reasonable bridge to future employment, and is based on your:
level within the organization
length of service
age
anticipated re-employability
industry
Your severance should also provide some coverage for benefits and, preferably, some re-employment assistance (Outplacement).

If you are concerned with the fairness of your settlement, discuss your offer with an employment lawyer, but resist the urge to sue. Your new focus in on your future, and you will usually get a better result by seeking an amicable resolution through polite, informal negotiation.

3. Arrange your Finances
You need a clear picture of:
your net worth
what you owe
what you need per month to maintain your present lifestyle
Then, work with other family members to prepare a conservative but realistic budget for the next 6-12 months.

4. Don't Leap into a Job Search Immediately
Resist the temptation to immediately send out resumés, rush out to interviews or to "grab anything". When you have just been terminated, your hurt or anger will show in interviews. Career decisions are too important to be made when you are still off balance.

5. Take Stock of Yourself
Take this opportunity to reassess who you are, determine your most marketable strengths, and work towards a "good fit" situation. This will permit a planned, strategic approach to the next step in your career. While you may feel stigmatized as "unemployed", there is not generally a stigma in the marketplace with unemployment, and it can even provide benefits to you over the competition.

6. Upgrade Your Job Search Techniques
Bring your job search strategy up to your present level, and the current market. Mailing out 200 resumés or registering with a dozen headhunters may have worked for you fifteen years ago, but these strategies are no longer effective or appropriate.

7. Educate Yourself
Undertake to understand the major changes in the work world (the "New Normal") and how best you can fit in. You will then have more control over your future career.

8. Maintain as Normal a Lifestyle as Possible
Your current job is to find your next job. While this should be a full-time job (at least 35 hours a week), it should not be a 24-hour-a-day obsession. You and your family need to socialize and make time for recreation and play, to give you the energy for the period ahead.

9. Look to the Future
For many of our clients, the benefit of hindsight has shown them that the loss of their previous job was the best thing that could have happened to them, even if they had to go through some rather rough and uncertain times to get there. Your attitude during your transition can make the difference between long-term unemployment or a fulfilling job that you enjoy.