What to Do When You Get Fired [187 Career Experts Tips]

What to Do When You Get Fired [187 Career Experts Tips] Heres a nightmare:Imagine you just lost your job.If youre one of the 141,667 U.S. employees facing that this month, you dont have to imagine.In your near future? Financial troubles, marital stress, and a thundering whack to your self-esteem.Losing a job can send you into a fast downward spiral, says mental health coach Lee Everette. It can set you back monetarily, but it can also impact your self-image and sense-of-direction, ultimately affecting your mental health.Think hes exaggerating? According to a 2016 Harvard study, job loss is the #1 reason for divorce. The unemployed are twice as likely to suffer psychological problems and can be ten times more likely to commit suicide.The emotional tailspin can lead to life-altering mistakes that can derail your goals and dreams for years to come.Take Joe, a healthcare executive who lost his job. He spent a year looking and finally got a good offerwhich the company then rescinded.Joe was so angry he drove to the company and demanded to see the executive director, says Nancy King, author of Fired. Security escorted him from the building. He sought help from his priest and went into counseling. It took another year for him to find work.But you dont have to succumb to the sucking jobless vortex. In fact, do a few things right and you can come out smelling like a rose.With the help of FindMyProfession.com, we surveyed 187 career experts, HR professionals, recruiters, and business leaders for their best just got let go advice.Almost every answer begs the questionHow?See their eye-opening answers to that below the table.If You Get Fired, First# of RespondentsTake time out to grieve and process64Reach out to your network38Stay calm and positive32Make your job search your new full-time job22Make a plan for next time17Take a vacation and/or treat yourself12Plan to start a company10Seek help from career pros like resume writers/coaches10Find out why5File for unemployment4Sort out your finances4Prevent job gaps by volunteering o r consulting4Take classes to improve your job skills4Change your LinkedIn status to Actively Looking3Seek legal advice3Don't sign anything2Make a plan to stay healthy2Ask your ex-boss for a good reference1Look for upcoming job fairs nearby1In the First 15 MinutesKeep Your HeadYou just got fired.Youre brimming with emotion, so its easy to do the wrong thing.But that can be disastrous.Do not lose your temper! says Marc Powell, Production Supervisor at Bright Plastics. When youre in control, ask for the specific, documented reason.Find out what the company will say in inquiries about you. Youll need that when hiring managers ask why you left.Plus, ask your boss for a glowing letter of reference. If the answer is no, at least get a letter of impact.In it, have them outline key strengths and weaknesses, says recruiter Ronald Marsh Jr. Use it as a means of transparency when seeking a new role.NextKeep your John Hancock to yourself.Theres a negotiation at this point, says Paul Levy, co-aut hor of Dont Sign Anything, a guide to negotiating a better severance deal. They may ask you to sign a release letter to get your severance pay.That release is important to the company, but dont sign it right away. In many cases, waiting can mean a better severance deal.One more tip?Avoid making disparaging comments about your employer on social media, says Marc Swank, VP of Marketing at Renew Sleep Solutions.Youll need another job soon, and your ex-boss can help with that a lotor hurt.Already blew this part?Ask for a do-over.In a day or two, go back and explain that your emotions got the best of you. As long as you didnt do anything criminal, most employers will understand.First 4 HoursBaby StepsYou just got the worst news of your yearand possibly your decade.Youre not in a position to do much.But there are a couple quick, proactive things to do right now.First:Head straight to the nearest Department of Labor and collect unemployment, says Jose Luis Romero, IT Specialist at Aetna.Ev en if you dont think you need it, fill out the forms. Getting that out of the way can slash your stress to pint-sized levels.Next:Change your LinkedIn status to Actively Applying. That takes a minute and sends up a rescue flare that tells recruiters youre available.Last:If you suspect discrimination or breach of contract, seek legal advice.That sounds daunting, but its as simple as a short email to an employment lawyer.State and federal employment laws are complex, says employment lawyer Talmage Newton. There are strict deadlines for making claims and its very easy to waive your rights.At worst youve wasted a few minutes. At best, youll gain advice that could save your bacon.The First Two DaysReach Out and GrieveAs the adrenaline wears off, two big proactive steps can save you from disaster.1. Reach outWhen recruiter Brett Lampes mentor lost his job, his first step was to tap his network.Within 30 minutes of leaving the premises, he had multiple calls and meetings set up with other leaders in his industry, says Lampe.To tap your network quickly, send a mass text/email. Then post to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.I would immediately reach out to my personal Board of Directors, says HR Exec Rebecca Oppenheim at nextOPP Search. These are the people in my life I lean on for advice and direction.That can be family, co-workers, past managers, recruiters, or mentors. Give them a chance to offer much-needed guidance and emotional support.Dont have a ready-baked network?Brainstorm ways to get one. When Amazons Jeremy Hill lost his job, he took on driving work with Lyft and Uber. That gave him income and connections.Ive picked up regular people, business clients, VPs, and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, says Hill.One CEO was so impressed by his personality and drive, she offered him a job.I was hired less than a week later. That wouldnt have happened with an online application.Reach out to coworkers too.Identify an ally at your past company, says Tony Abbachi, founder o f Uplift Marketing. Secure a letter of reference if possible.A reference letter can combat the question of why you left, and prove accomplishments in future interviews.2. Process and GrieveNextJust grieve.Take some time to grieve the loss of the job, says Sabrina Permuth, HR pro at Hillsborough County, Florida. Be angry, sad, frustrated, disappointed, or relieved.Award-winning writer Allen Smith concurs. Process all seven stages of grief, he says.Just like with the death of a loved one, youll need to work through all your guilt and anger before you can move forward.Trust me, says Michael David Chapman, co-founder of MBM Mentoring, You dont want to take the loss into your next interview.Next, process.Take some time to reflect on the situation, says Mike Podesto, CEO of FindMyProfession.com.Why did you lose the job? Did you enjoy it all that much? Would you do it again?Strategize next steps and build a game-plan for what to say to future employers.Its definitely time to face the mirro r, agrees Anthony Onyewadume, Operations Manager at GNM Projects. Not to count the wrinkles on my aging face, but to align my interests with my acquired skills.Ask, why did this happen? says recruitment CEO Amy Volas. What can you take away from it to learn and grow? How can you use it to get the next, remarkable step in your career?Amy recommends taking a personal inventory with a business scorecard. That can help you pinpoint goals and make a plan.The First Two WeeksRecharge and AttackWhat happens after all the processing?This is where the rubber meets the road.I might take some time out for a much-needed vacation, Mike Podesto says. It fits in perfectly with self-reflection time. I might go to the Bahamas or Thailand for a couple weeks.Cant afford two weeks? At least take the weekend to go hiking or do something youve always wanted to do.I enrolled myself in a few volunteering activities Id never found the time for, says HR Specialist Donna Kumar.Volunteeringor consultingcan keep you from brooding, binge-watching, or worse. They also make great resume gap-fillers.Then, do some planning.Think about:Health and exercise. Schedule time to stay fit. Plus, make sure youve got Cobra or other stopgap health insurance.Finances. Take stock of what youve got and how long you can coast. Check debt, bills, and assets, says Tech Lead Pradeep Kumar Mishra. Come up with ways to cut monthly expenses.Stay positive. Get some self-help books in print or audio. Also, list things youre thankful for, like friends, family, and health. If you pray, nows the time.Sketch out your job search. When will you begin? What path will you take, and what allies will you turn to?Finally...Rip Into the Job SearchSome wont need two weeksor even oneto process and re-energize.When I lost my job two years ago (with a toddler and a new baby on the way) I tore right into hunting my next gig.Diving in instead of taking a vacation can build confidence at lightning-speed.I committed to apply to five pos itions every day. I set a goal to replace my previous income in three months.I applied to 150 jobs, heard back from 50, worked for 20 on a trial basis, and found three I really liked.The first month, I replaced 30% of my income. By month two, I had 70%. I hit 100% before the 90-day mark.By then, I was happily ensconced at Zety, where Ive been for two years.To rule your job search:Make the hunt your full-time job. You spent 40 hours a week working. Why wouldnt you put that much into building a better life?Update your resume. If you can afford it, hire a top-notch resume writer or career coach.Look for upcoming job fairs in your area. Talking to employers one-on-one can jump you past the internet black hole.Consider reading the excellent book, The Two-Hour Job Search, by Duke Us career consultant Steve Dalton.If youve got the funds, think about starting your own company. Youll gain flexibility and pay less taxes. Plus, many companies now are eager to collaborate on B2B contracts.The A ftermath: Dont Let it Happen AgainWhen the dust settles and youve got your dream jobDont rest.Get a head start on next time.What you do after you get fired isnt as important as what you do before, says career coach Jerome Imhoff.In other words, build your network.Imhoff says a professional network is our most valuable asset. Sadly, most dont build it until its too late.I was laid off from my staffing job on a Tuesday, Imhoff says. Because I was well-networked, I was able to land a new position by the end of the week.He also recommends keeping a side-hustle. During his last job, he wrote resumes for extra cash. After a layoff, that became his full-time gig.Need more help?Check out Nancy Kings book, Fired: How to Manage Your Career in the Age of Job Uncertainty. She interviewed 65 people who lost their jobs, and followed their inspiring stories.You might also consider:Taking a certification courseEnrolling in a meditation, yoga, or other fitness groupMaking short-term compromises to k eep income flowing inPlanning an emergency fund for next timeAnd finally, take inspiration from Donna Kumar.This is only a phase and not the end of my life! she says. Im using this time to find a job and do the things I love.So, what do you think?Did you lose a job recently? Do you have a question or a strategy to get back on your feet with grace and style? Let us know in the comments. Wed love to learn your thoughts.

How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of Working From Home

How to Avoid the Hidden Costs of Working From Home Whether you are  hustling from home as a freelancer  or working for an employer who is embracing the  benefits of allowing workers to telecommute, working from home can be a great way to save time and money. No commuting costs or hassles, more flexibility in your schedule, and all the comforts of home including the ability to throw in a load of a laundry between meetings. And digital communication technology means it’s easier than ever to work from home. In fact, a 2017 Gallup survey of more than 15,000 adults found that  43 percent of employed Americans  said they spent at least some time working remotely. But before you pack up your desk and trade in your high-powered heels for fuzzy house slippers, consider a few of the hidden costs on the flip side of the benefits and these tips on how to make it all work in your favor. Making Room Full-time telecommuting is allowing many Americans to relocate to communities more suited to their lifestyle or closer to extended family rather than needing to live within a short drive of their employer. This can also equal hefty cost-of-living savings for those used to paying a premium to live in dense urban areas. Remember though that working from home means spending a lot more time in your house, and that kitchen table that has up until now doubled as your desk in your one-bedroom apartment may not cut it when you are working remotely full time. Especially if you share your space with roommates or family members, including the furry, four-legged variety who love to sit on your laptop. To do your best work, you need a dedicated office space, and space comes at a premium. Thankfully, having the flexibility to live just about anywhere means you can choose to live someplace where real estate is less costly and adding an extra room won’t hurt your budget. But if adding a home office is going to raise your rent or mortgage, set up that room to pull double duty outside of office hours as a guest room or a work space for your weekend projects. You could even  rent out the extra room  from time to time to cover the cost,  or you can just move to Vermont. Giving Your Home the Office Treatment Skipping the commute to an office is a significant money saver if you would otherwise be driving or taking public transit to work. But don’t forget that one of the reasons  companies are opening up to telecommuting  is it decreases their overhead costs. Which means some of those costs get passed on to you, primarily in the form of utilities. Being an effective remote worker in most jobs requires you to have reliable, high-speed internet, which sadly is still  not available in many corners of America. And if your home is typically unoccupied during the day, you may be shocked at the added cost of heating or cooling your home around the clock or running the added lights and electronics needed for your home office.You can avoid utilities pitfalls by checking for the availability of high-speed internet service before you relocate someplace remote, giving your home a once over to plug up air leaks that can drain your heating and cooling budget unnecessarily, and  getting smart about lowering your energy usage. Treating Yourself If you are in the habit of eating out rather than brown-bagging it, working from home will certainly help you curb your lunch budget. However, are you the one in your office most likely to be found hovering around the free bagels and helping herself to that third coffee?   If so, you may be unprepared for how much you are about to start spending on drinks and snacks. Good coffee and treats are crucial fuel for any hard worker, and you don’t want to shortchange yourself at home. Save money by approaching this like any good office manager; buy in bulk. Many coffee companies offer rewards programs for repeat purchase, or you can  get a coffee subscription  so there’s always a delicious brew on hand. If you yearn for the comfort and flexibility of the work from home life and want to save money too, it’s possible to have it all. With a little forethought into preparing your home and your budget, you can recreate the benefits of office life in your own home without breaking the bank.

What I did with my summer #1 My Physics research internship University of Manchester Careers Blog

What I did with my summer #1 My Physics research internship University of Manchester Careers Blog Last summer we asked students to write a blog post about what they did with their summer.   This is the first of our stories we hope they give you some ideas for the types of things you can do next summer. This is  Utkarshs story I am a fourth year student studying for an MPhys (Hons) in physics and this summer I did a project at Manchester Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics (MCND). How did you find out about the opportunity? I want to stay in research and do a PhD  after my degree so I decided to get a research internship. My field of interest is nonlinear physics so  I spoke to academics in the nonlinear physics group at the physics department. I then had a chat (or an interview) with my supervisors who encouraged me to apply through a competitive scheme for  funding organised by the department. In the end the internship was funded for 10 weeks jointly by  Maths and Physics departments. What did you do on your internship (heres the physics bit) My internship involved performing numerical studies on how a rubber holey column  deforms under compression. It leads to very interesting pattern transformations of the column (for  example as shown in the picture). The complete understanding of this phenomenon will help us to  control such pattern transformations. This has applications such as making programmable  metamaterials to controlling structural transformations in DNA and even making structures that can  diverge earthquake shockwaves. (  D. Pihler-Puzovic, A. Hazel, and T. Mullin. Buckling of a holey column. Physical Review  Letters, 2015 (submitted).) What did you learn or gain from the internship? Initially the learning curve was steep but the project soon became very enjoyable. The  internship gave me a chance to work within an actual research group and learn how real research  problems are formulated and projects driven to produce meaningful results. I also participated in  weekly group meetings where I learnt about projects that other academics and research students  were working on. The meetings improved my communication abilities, taught me how to think  about scientific results deeply and present them in informal settings. I was also given the opportunity to present the results of my project at a conference. This  was a great opportunity as I was able to attend talks by leading researchers in the field, make  contacts and learn about groundbreaking research being done by other top groups in this field. The experience was invaluable at this stage as I have just started my final year. I am now a  lot more confident in doing science, communicating results and feel that my writing abilities have  been tested (and stretched) to a great extent. For my final year research project I have continued  working within the same research group. I have really enjoyed this brief research experience and it  has made me confident about doing a PhD. All Internships Student blogs Undergraduate Internships manchester made me my story scientific work skills summer internships work experience

When is Credit Repair the Smart Option

When is Credit Repair the Smart Option Building credit is hard. Maintaining stellar credit is even harder. Today, there are countless credit card companies vying for your business. They send out flyers and create advertisements full of all these promises of amazing rewards for using their cards. It is hard to say no. Also, once you receive that magical piece of plastic, you may go a bit overboard. When the bill finally comes in, you see you have made a serious miscalculation. Because of the enormous interest rate and your crazy spending, you now owe so much it will take you years of minimum payments to get out of debt. Unfortunately, this is a situation that millions of people find themselves in the time. The good news is, it isn’t hopeless. There are now credit repair services that can help you get out of debt for good. Some of the situations where credit repair is a good idea can be found here. Are You Unable to Pay Your Bills? One of the most obvious times that you should consider credit repair services is if you find that you are unable to pay your bills that are due. If you use so many credit cards or take out so many loans that the payments become unmanageable, then this is a clear indication that it is time to seek credit repair services. You don’t want to keep getting behind. Each payment you miss is another strike against your credit score. However, with credit repair issues, you can have the professionals develop a repayment plan that is not only manageable, but that will help you get out of debt much faster than if you tried to handle the process on your own. Are You Stressed about Finances? Being stressed about your financial situation can affect you in a number of ways. It can result in a strain on your relationships, it can put you in a pad mood and may even begin to affect your health. There is no reason to let this happen. With quality credit repair services, you can reduce the stress that you face related to your finances and finally find a bit of relief. When it comes to financial issues, just having someone helping you can alleviate some of the pressure and make it easier to manage other parts of your life. Credit repair services understand how to ease the burden and make unmanageable debt more manageable. Do You Want to Make a Large Purchase? If you are planning to make a large purchase in the near future, then you need to have good credit. Without great credit, you will not be able to get the funding that you need for this purchase. With credit repair, you can take a few months to get your credit in good order and ensure that you can make the purchase for the item that you want. If you fail to do this, you may have to wait longer to purchase a home, car, boat or some other item. As you can see, credit repair services can be beneficial for a number of situations. If you find yourself facing any of these, then it is a good idea to contact a professional credit repair service for help. They will be able to help you come up with a plan that works with your finances and ability to pay. More information about credit repair services is available by visiting the http://repair.credit website. When you are informed, you can make decisions that will benefit your credit, as well as your entire life in the long run.

We need to talk about the sexuality pay gap - Debut

We need to talk about the sexuality pay gap - Debut Its like this. We at Debut want everyone to win when it comes to careers. And well draw attention to anything that stops that from happening. Which is why this new study from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) worries us so much. Theyve just dropped a working paper which discusses the differences in earnings between straight, gay and lesbian couples. Sadly, much of it confirmed what has been said in previous studies dating back as far as 1995.  These were the major takeaways. Gay workers earn at least 10% less than their straight counterparts A review of American industrial and labour relations in 1995 revealed that gay and bisexual men earned between 11 and 27% less than straight men in the same industry. This is after  after you account for education, experience, location etc. Its also persisted in spite of more enlightened attitudes to the LGBT+ community, with a 2015 study finding the gap to be as large as 30% in some places. Lesbian women earn on average 6% more than their straight counterparts The study also talks about about a phenomenon called the Lesbian Pay Premium. This sees lesbian women actually earn between 5.5 and 6% more than straight women on average under the same conditions. While this may seem to be a boon for lesbian women, straight women seem to be penalised for simply having the potential to have children. Which, of course, is way out of line. Generally a lesser likelihood of lesbian women to take maternity leave has been cited for the statistic. They are also less likely work in typically industries dominated by women, in which a typical salary is 39% less than its male equivalent. But still earn less than men And thats just one example of how the perennial gender gap rears its ugly head here. Furthermore, according to a 2009 study, although lesbian women are paid marginally better than straight women, they are still paid far less than both gay and straight men. The difference between same and different sex couples is even larger These trends get more prevalent in couples. According to the EBRDs study, the gap between lesbian partners and hetero women in partnerships gets bigger due to lesbian women being more consistently active in the labour market. With men, the reverse is true, with gay men being statistically more likely to work part-time hours. We all deserve the right to live well, work well and take care of our families. While the EBRDs study concedes that the UKs legislation against workplace discrimination has had  some effect, its overall impact needs to be much better. These studies are a start but until they spark a bigger discussion and include statistics for trans people and those with other identities (which are extremely lacking here), theyll fail to be effective. Whatever happens, it falls to us to start the dialogue.  So if this effects you or anyone you know, talk about it with anyone who will listen. Stats by Quartz Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Is a Career Change Later in Life Wise - CareerAlley

Is a Career Change Later in Life Wise - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. A lot of people are finding themselves making career changes when theyre over 40. Although there are risks involved with taking a new career path later in life, making a career change later in life can certainly be a good move for many people. Reasons for Career Changes Sometimes layoffs force people to make a career change. Todays technological savvy world has certainly made many career paths obsolete. This can cause older workers to have decreased opportunities to find work in their fields. Sometimes older people are laid off because they cost more to employ. Years of experience tend to demand higher wages. Younger people who are fresh out of college expect smaller salaries and can save companies a lot of money. Career changes may be necessary due to health changes as well. Older workers who performed manual labor or physically demanding tasks may find they arent able to continue. They may choose to look for less strenuous career paths. Not everyone makes a career change because theyre forced to do so however. Some people finally feel free to follow their dreams or pursue a new interest. Perhaps the kids have left the nest or theyve obtained financial stability, moving onto a new career can prove to be a realistic goal. Risks of Changing Careers There can be a lot of risks with changing careers later in life. There is certainly the risk that a new career will pay less. Workers with less experience in their new career path may not be able to bring in as much money as their past career. Starting over also means a loss of benefits. A new career will mean starting from the bottom when it comes to earning vacation days and flexibility. It can even mean the loss of health insurance for some workers. Benefits of Changing Careers Changing careers can certainly benefit a lot of workers later in life. Many workers may be able to pursue their dream and enter a career path that they find personally rewarding and fulfilling. Other workers may be able to use their skills and apply to a new career path that wont force them to start from the bottom. For example, a person who worked as an accountant for much of their life may be able to transition to a college teaching position. Workers can also look for opportunities that fit their current stage of life. Without young children living in the home, there may be different priorities about what is important. Perhaps in the past, it was essential for a worker to be able to be home in the afternoons when the children got home from school. Now, that same worker may feel free to accept a position that calls for frequent travel. Workers who find themselves looking for a new career after age 40, have an opportunity to find a new career that they enjoy. Matching a workers skills and interests to a new career is the key to making a second career successful. About the Author: Amy Morin writes about psychology and business topics such as payroll service providers. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

How to Write a Resume and Get it Approved Faster

How to Write a Resume and Get it Approved FasterIf you are trying to improve your chance of landing a job at one of the major companies in Dallas, then a good resume is a must. With so many jobs out there that require a certain skill set, employers are looking for people with the right skills. Here are some great tips on how to write a resume and get it approved faster.It is no secret that job hunting in Dallas can be frustrating, and you may have had trouble getting interviews before. In order to really impress an employer, you need to know how to present yourself well. Many people feel they need to 'show off' or put on a 'show' to get a job. The best thing you can do is just present yourself well without using anything too fancy. It's really about using yourself and what you have done in the past to present yourself as a professional.One of the most important things to consider when writing a resume in Dallas is to keep the layout simple. There are many different resume formats out there, and some may suit your needs better than others. You need to choose a format that works for you and is easy to read.When it comes to designing a resume, you also need to look at the content and remember that a good resume is not just about the resume. Think about your current position, skills and the amount of experience you have. Most employers want to see something more than just a resume when it comes to applying for a job.When you are looking for a job in Dallas, you should use the Internet to help you find more information on different companies. There are websites that can show you sample resumes from different companies. Most of these websites will also let you upload your resume online and edit it for submission.The more experience you have, the better you will stand out when trying to get a job in Dallas. A long resume and some impressive skills can go a long way in helping to impress an employer.In fact, a great resource for creating your own resume is always the I nternet. With so many different sites to choose from, you'll be able to find one that is perfect for you.