Been Let Go From Your Job? Here’s What You Need to Do

Being let go from a job is a moment that will potentially shake you for months to come. Whether you saw it coming or not, that discussion in the board room can make for employment insecurities, anxiety and general wariness about future employers. Whatever your employer’s reasons for letting you go, it’s a wise idea to think carefully about your next steps. Making rash decisions may feel satisfying in the moment, but they ultimately will not help.

Take a deep breath 

Here are some thoughts that might be rushing through your mind after you’ve lost your job:

• I didn’t say everything I should have in that board room.
• I should send an email to my old boss and tell him what I really think.
• I should threaten legal action.
• I should tell all of my old colleagues what a nightmare the senior team is.

Whatever you do, do not reach for any of these gut reactions. Allow yourself time to be angry, but don’t immediately act on it. Distract yourself, go out for a beer with some friends and vent to neutral people who have nothing to do with your old work. This will let you shake off some of that tension and prevent you from acting out of spite. 

Consider legal action

Depending on where you are based, there’s differing legality about when it is and isn’t fair for a company to dismiss you. In the UK, for example, you have to have worked for a company for two years for dismissal to be considered unfair or unlawful. This is actually quite a substantial amount of time, and finding a case to stand on might be quite complex. It’s therefore useful for you to find legal advice on settlement agreements before you start looking at small claims courts. 

Get a reference and network

Don’t tell your former colleagues how terrible your former company is, but do ask them for a reference. If you don’t trust your old boss to give you a glowing review, then ask those who were your work buddies. Your former work pals are also a great source for networking. They may have connections who they can put you in contact with to get the ball rolling for job hunting. 

Get your resume glowing

In a time of ego tenderness, it’s important to brush yourself up, and your resume. It might feel uncomfortable to do so, but you will need to write down all the positive skills you learned from your most recent employer. You should also take this opportunity to ask yourself whether your resume could be visibly improved in any way. 

If you’ve been let go from your job, don’t lash out. Take a deep breath and consider your options. You may even wish to negotiate the severance pay to help you survive for a few extra months in between jobs. If your ex-employer isn’t very helpful, you may wish to seek legal advice.