How To Quickly Bounce Back After Being Fired

You’ve just been fired, and you’re feeling pretty low. You may even be thinking that you’ll never get hired again. Welcome to the “Just been fired club,” which has more members than you can imagine. That’s because most people who get fired eventually wind up on their feet again.

It’s okay to take a few days to catch your breath as long as a few days don’t turn into a few months or a few years. After all, you’ve just gone through a traumatic experience.

Here’s how to quickly bounce back after being fired.

Take action. It’s hard to gain momentum in your job search when you’re at a standstill, so it’s best to start moving. For some of you, this may mean updating your resume, while for others, this may mean notifying your network that you’re back on the job market.

Consider freelancing. It’s hard to go from a 9-5 job to no job, so many people choose to freelance while looking for full-time employment. If this interests you, register with sites like Upwork or reach out to some temporary agencies and explore what opportunities might be available to you.

Limit your job search to three hours a day. It may seem counter-intuitive to follow my advice of spending less time on your job search when you think you should be searching all day. If we’re being honest, most people who say they’re looking for work eight hours a day are not actually spending eight hours doing so. There are the numerous “I’m just going to check my email for a minute” pauses, combined with coffee breaks, lunch breaks, and “I’ll only watch one episode” breaks.

Schedule three hours a day on your calendar for a job search. Be sure to put your phone on do not disturb and turn your text and email computer notifications off. I suggested this approach to one of my coaching clients, who became twice as productive as she was searching for a job “all day long.”

Lean on your network. People can’t help you if they don’t know you need help, so you must contact the people in your network to update them on your situation. When doing so, ask if there is something you can do for them in return for their assistance.

Stay fit. Finding a new job will take time, so you need to remain physically and mentally healthy. Permit yourself to go for a walk or take a day off from searching when your mental health may be suffering.

Understandably, you may be feeling unsteady. However, rest assured; you will work again. Focus on moving forward; it won’t be long before you find yourself steadily employed again.