What to Do After Getting Fired

If it's never happened to you, you've probably imagined it: getting fired from your job. Even though it may not be right at the top of your career nightmare list, it does happen.

The good news is that you can bounce back from getting fired; it's not the end of your career – just a bump in the road. Once you know what to do after getting fired, you can take the steps necessary to set your career back on track to even bigger and better opportunities.

What it means to get fired, and why it’s not the end

What do you do if you’ve been fired? Start by understanding what it means, and what it doesn’t. Getting fired isn’t a career-ending event. It just means your current role wasn’t the right fit, so now it’s time to figure out what to do after getting fired to move forward.

In the U.S., most jobs are “at will, meaning your employer can end your job at any time – with or without a specific reason – unless you’re protected by contract or law. Bigger companies might follow stricter processes, but most small to mid-sized businesses operate under this rule.

Getting fired usually means your employer lets you go due to performance or behavior issues. For example:

• Your work didn’t meet expectations

• You missed deadlines

• You took too many days off

Whatever the reason, the job is over. But your career isn’t.

There are different types of unemployment. Getting fired typically falls under frictional unemployment, which just means you’re between jobs for normal reasons. You don’t need a new degree or a booming economy to move forward, you just need a game plan.

Signs you might be getting fired

Frequently, the writing is on the wall well before the axe falls. If you notice that you're being excluded from projects, feeling left out in general, and that your boss is giving you the cold shoulder, these could be signs you're getting fired. 

If you notice company-wide issues such as net losses, redundant roles, or even an impending sale or merger, these could also be signs that a layoff is coming.

If the unthinkable does happen to you, take a breath and relax. You'll get through this. Here are some tips to help you through the tough times and on to better days ahead.

How to deal with getting fired

So, it happened. Now what? Knowing what to do after getting fired can help you avoid making impulsive mistakes and start taking steps in the right direction. Before you update your resume or hit the job boards, pause and get clear on your next moves.

What to do immediately after

If you've been let go for whatever reason, don't sign anything right away. Instead, take a little time to read over them and reflect. Here are some things to consider:

• Are your vacation days being paid out? If not, request it.

• Is the severance fair? Will it give you enough time to get back on your feet? If not, go ahead and negotiate; you can negotiate severance just as you would a job offer.

• Can you get a letter of recommendation? If it's a layoff, there's a good chance you can get a letter. If you're being let go for performance reasons, it’s best to skip asking.

Also, you want to keep in mind the things you shouldn't do after getting fired or laid off. 

• Fight the urge to burn (or blow up) professional bridges

• Don't delete your files

• Don't storm out of the office

• Stay off Twitter and Facebook to rant about your now-former company or boss

Not only does it make you look unprofessional, it could even leave you vulnerable to a lawsuit if you say the wrong thing. Those first days after losing your job can be very emotional. Keep a level head and keep your eyes on the future.

Take care of your emotional and physical well-being

Your first instinct may be to dive right into a new job hunt and sling your resume out to as many openings as possible. Yet, this approach is counterproductive on a couple of levels. 

• A fast and haphazard job hunt isn't likely to land you the position you truly want

• You're probably not emotionally ready for that next job yet.

You need a little time to take care of yourself. But, how do you do that? Here are a few tips.

Allow yourself to grieve

It may sound a bit corny, but the loss of a job is still a significant loss. It's okay to feel sad, but don’t get stuck in it. If you don't acknowledge it, you can't move on past it.

Move your body

Remember that hiking trail you've been wanting to try? Or how about that bike that's hanging in the garage? Force yourself to get some exercise, preferably out in the fresh air. Besides the obvious health benefits, it's just plain good for your mood.

Pamper yourself

Have a spa day. Get a massage. Go try that new restaurant you've been itching to visit. While it may seem counterintuitive to spend money on things like this, it can help you get your mind in the right place. You are special and you deserve it. You can also take this attitude with you on your next job hunt.

Reflect

Beyond mourning the loss of your job, think about why it happened. Was there something you could have done to make yourself irreplaceable? Were you cutting corners and didn't even realize it? It's absolutely imperative that you learn from the experience so you can move on to bigger and better things.

Improve yourself professionally

Once you’ve had time to regroup, shift your focus to getting better and not being bitter. One of the smartest things you can do after getting fired is to invest in yourself. That way, when the next opportunity comes up, you’re ready.

Here’s how:

• Take a class or earn a certification: Look for online options that are relevant to your field, some are even free. Courses and credentials can help you close skill gaps and show initiative.

• Update your resume strategically: Don’t just dust it off, rebuild it around where you want to go next. Focus on the skills and experience that align with your goals. Tailor it to the jobs you're pursuing, not just the one you lost.

• Own the situation and show growth: If you were fired for performance or a bad fit, be honest with yourself about why. The goal isn’t to make excuses; it’s to understand what happened, learn from it, and move forward stronger.

• Practice explaining the firing – briefly: You will probably get asked about it in interviews or applications. Tactful phrasing helps: “We mutually agreed it was time for a change” or “There were differences in how we approached the role.” Keep it short and stick to what you learned.

Knowing what to do after getting fired includes being proactive about your future, not just reacting to your past. Use this time to reset and level up.

Keep a positive mindset

Yes, you may be out of work for a while, but there is a lot of good that can come from this time in your life if you set your mind to it. Go ahead and make the most out of unemployment by keeping yourself productive and improving yourself.

Make a financial plan for the months ahead

Figuring out what to do after getting fired isn’t just about job hunting, it’s also about staying afloat while you do. Start with your finances.

Here are a few tips to help you out:

• Establish emergency savings: Everyone should have an emergency savings account – it's just smart. You never know when you'll get hit with an unexpected expense or a sudden loss of income. If you think you may be in that second category soon, get your savings started right away.

• Have a plan for health insurance: Losing your job may mean losing your health insurance. Look into COBRA, a spouse’s plan, or marketplace options. Don’t wait until you need it.

• Apply for unemployment benefits: There's no shame in getting help from a system you’ve been paying into. You won’t be able to replace your income, but it could be enough to help bridge the gap. Every state is a bit different, so do your research and see what's available to you.

• Cut unnecessary expenses: Go through your recurring expenses and pause subscriptions and cancel memberships. Review recurring bill alerts on your banking app to help you manage subscriptions and trim what you don’t need right now.

• Get a side hustle: It’s never been easier to find a side gig for some extra cash. From rideshare driving to delivering groceries and online freelancing, the opportunities are everywhere. 

How to job hunt after being fired

Before you start applying to every opening you see, take a beat. Knowing what to do after getting fired means being intentional about your next step and that includes not being desperate for any job that’ll take you.

Start by getting your head – and your game plan – straight.

• What's your ideal job?

• What kind of company do you want to work for?

• What are your realistic salary expectations?

• Do you need to brush up on any skills or certifications?

Once you've figured out just what you are looking for, it's time to really get started.

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Start with your resume

The first step is to brush up your resume. If you haven't been keeping it up to date, now's the time. 

• Add in all of your new job experience

• Match your skills with job descriptions of roles you want

• Update your certifications and degree list

If you're using an old, outdated resume template, it’s time to update that as well.

Then, there are some hard questions to ask yourself:

• Do you add the job you were fired from?

• What about this last job that ended poorly? 

• Do you need to put that career failure on your resume? 

The choice is yours, but you may want to weigh the pros and cons. 

How long were you there? If you were there for a year or more and gained valuable experience, it is probably worth including. Remember, you don't have to say anything about why you left on your resume; you just need to have the start and end dates of your employment.

Submit your application

Once you find some jobs that look promising, it's time to fill out those applications. Many online applications are short and automated. Both Indeed and Linkedin have certain job applications that are no more than a couple of clicks. Just attach your resume, add your name and contact info, and presto – you've applied.

If an application asks you why you left your recent job, you don't need to worry about going into detail. Instead, save any explanations for your interview. 

Here are a few ideas of how to address being fired on your application:

• “Position ended”

• “Company restructured”

• “Looking for a better fit”

• “Mutual decision to part ways”

If you're still figuring out what to do after getting fired, don’t overexplain on applications. Focus on moving forward – not just defending the past.

Prepare for the interview

Congrats! Your resume and application got you through the first phase and you've landed the interview. Now what? Remember to keep the focus on the positive. They may ask you why you left your last job, in which case you may have to explain why you got fired. But how exactly do you do that?

You don’t need to bring it up yourself. Wait until they ask why you left your last job and have a short, honest answer ready. Keep the tone neutral (no bad-mouthing previous employers) and focus on what you learned and how that will help you in your new roles. 

Here’s some language that’s professional but simple:

• “It wasn’t the right fit.”

• “We had different expectations for the role.”

• “We mutually agreed it was time for a change.”

Either way, don't let getting fired define your career. Instead, focus on all of your successes and what you bring to the table for any prospective employer. Part of knowing what to do after getting fired is learning how to talk about it without losing momentum. 

Move forward with confidence

Getting fired doesn’t define your career – how you respond to it does. When you know what to do after getting fired, you’re in a stronger position to take control, make better decisions, and land a role that actually fits.

Give yourself a moment to reset, take care of your priorities, and rebuild with intention because you’re not starting over – you’re starting from experience.

Worried about your career's future and want to make sure your resume is ready for a new job search? Let us help with a free resume critique!