You asked for Advice: I'm fired
Help - I was fired!
© Paym Bergson
Jul 18, 2006
You ask, Career Advice answers. This week - a reader sends a quick SOS - the reader has been fired and needs help.
Q: Help! I was just fired from my last job and I don't know what to do now.
A:First, make sure you get your separation papers. Although you don't say why you were fired, let's assume the company is still pleasant to you - they may put on your papers that you were "let go" due to downsizing, or laid off. Don't be afraid to ask them what kind of a reference they will give you - you need to know that information up front.
As soon as possible, get to your local unemployment office - don't bother until you have your papers, as the office cannot do anything without the official forms. In the meantime, you need to find work.
So, ask yourself - how can you improve at your next job so you will be there for a longer period of time? Were you happy? Why or why not - could you at least bear the work - remember - a fair day's work for a fair day's pay is the motto for most of the workforce - be it a general line worker or a professor.
Do you want to find work in the same field? A different one? Do you need upgrading to change fields or even stay in the field you are in now? Again, there are many upgrade courses for free at your Employment office as well as assessment seminars - take advantage of these freebies!
You need to create or update your Resume - NOW! How would your Resume fit into a pre-printed application form - you may have to fill one out for your next job. How about references - do you have any? Write them down - and make sure you have the permission of each person to be a reference for you.
What are your technical skills - these are considered your HARD Skills - typing, brick-laying, computer software skills, bookkeeping, - all the skills you can be taught by a course. Now, how are your SOFT skills - your negotiation, working on a team, working on your own, following orders, taking initiative - all the skills you prove by doing or have experience with - the skills needed to keep working with people.
So get that list started - and keep your mind, eyes and heart open to new beginnings.
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Copyright July 18, 2006. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved.
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Comments
Aug 12, 2006 9:52 PM
cristina
:
I'm writing on behalf of my boyfriend who was fired this week from his job as a community police officer. Basically, it was a job where he was writing parking tickets and telling people to dump thier beers out in the beach but it was important "applicable skill set job" for him. He has alot going for him recent college grad in justice studies, high gpa etc. Unfortunately to make matters worse he lost his job while he was in a middle of a job search to get a job as a real cop. And to really make things worse, he was fired after something at his work was stolen. The police do not think he was involved but he was fired anyways, along with several other employees, who were friends with the individual who stole the objects. Technically, he was terminated for falsifying his time card but in actuality he failed to report something fishy he saw at the time that didn't quite make sense at the time. He has several options: he could go back for his grad degree( although he isn't thrilled about that), continue with his job search without great applicable skills or questionable integrity or try to find something else he's interested in. Does anyone have any good ideas? Should he continue in the second process of the hiring process for other jobs even with his previous job referenced on his resume and reference list?
Aug 14, 2006 7:54 AM
Paym Bergson
:
Only your boyfriend can make those decisions. While it is admirable for you to try and help find some solutions, he needs to take control and see this situation as an opportunity to succeed.
I urge him to visit his local employment office and to see what seminars are offered - most are free, and will help not only in job search, but in deciding what field or path is best for him.
As well, many placement agencies will help with goal settings.
His first priority though is find out what he wants to do, and to pursue it. Most police forces will not even look at you without some prior training such as Police Foundations (through most Colleges and private schools). Education always helps - it shows a commitment to "bettering" yourself and wanting to do more than just coast in life.
As well, he needs to be able to provide for rent, etc (and if he is living at home, he might want to discuss the possibility of living at home while attending school).
Only he can decide on his priorities - and your being able to support him emotionally in his decision will help him.
-Paym
