Getting a job after being fired

First, the job market sucks for everybody. You are competing against people who have not been let go for performance-related issues. The reality is you are going to have to work harder and get luckier than most others to land somewhere. I am sure you've recognized that already....but now you have to find a different way to shine and market yourself.

What does your severance letter say? Does it specify performance as cause of termination? I ask because most companies will NOT say that - they are afraid of being sued. Read it carefully and make sure you know what the wording is.

Next, find out exactly what your former firm will say if called to verify employment. MOST places will only verify title and dates of employment. They will NOT comment on salary or performance-related issues without a release from you because (again) they don't want to be sued.

So, UNLESS your letter says performance-related causes AND your firm will say that if called for a reference (make sure you know which number to give for references - if it's a large(r) firm, this type of stuff goes to HR or employee relations and they are trained on how to handle these requests - some even have them computerized and don't let the person calling for a reference talk to a human), don't volunteer this information.

Stick with the first part of your story - your products were good and well-received, but ultimately this was not the right fit for either YOU or the firm. If they keep pushing, you can say "I decided to focus on new opportunities". It's not a lie - you simply were FORCED to look for new opportunities...but again, you don't have to volunteer that.

If you still have a dialog past that point, you can start to volunteer people that are happy to give them insight into your qualifications (making absolutely sure you have prepped the people on what to say and what not to say and that they are comfortable being a reference).

Again, not to be depressing, but you have a tougher battle. My advice is simply "know when to keep your mouth shut". You don't need to volunteer unnecessary details. People get themselves into trouble by over-explaining their situation(s).

If it comes out eventually that you were let go for performance, you can then talk about what you've taken away from the experience and keep that part of the conversation up-beat without pointing fingers ("I learned to make sure that both the employer and I have clear expectations of what the project entails and what the criteria for success is/are. I learned to ask for periodic check-points when tackling something new to ensure that I am meeting expectations and so I can listen to feedback and take any corrective measures (if necessary)").

I've been both a hiring manager and a person who has been on the job hunt more than I hoped I ever would be......although never for performance. As a hiring manager, I *have* hired people who have been let go, as long as they have been able to discuss things without bad-mouthing any individuals or the firm, even if they deserve it (sounds like you have this part down) and if they can say what they learned along the way .

Good luck!

It is NOT a good thing to use any negative reply, such as "we were NOT a good fit"
A good reply is that the company was downsizing or reorganized and keep it short and sweet. It is difficult to be let go and we can ponder it until the cows come home. Keep it simple sweetheart. Good luck!

We've probably all worked with some real losers (bad at job, lazy, etc.). How did they get the job? They sold themselves!

You're selling yourself, not begging for them to take you. I agree with others that you can/should put a more positive spin on why you aren't at the old job while boosting yourself. "I was doing a great job on my assignments but there wasn't enough challenge" or something along these lines.

Oh, and please take a minute to read the post in the link below. I'm guessing you are female (for no good reason), but even if you're not, I like his advice on promoting yourself. I'm not trying to start an argument about gender stereotypes here, just hoping someone else's words might help BummedOut.

Read this little rant/essay:
http://www.shirky.com/weblog/2010/01/a-rant-about-women/

Good luck!

Subject: Time to get Rehired

The greatest challenge during this "season of downsizing" is to understand the options that are the future. Focusing on the reasons for receipt of The Pink Slip is a must --during the first week of termination. After a week, its time to get back on the employment horse.
When submitting your resume capitalize on your strengths, performances, can-do attitude, capitalize on the uniqueness that YOU brought to the company, the acclaim that is privy only to you.
When the tough question comes, "are you currently employed?", answer honestly, and to the point; "I was downsized"...short and sweet. The answer is factual and, in most cases an honest depiction of the EMPLOYERS foresight of financial s and no reflection of the employee.
Life sometimes hands you lemons, but, I found when perusing the pages of The Pink Slip- HR Secrets for the Downsized, its time to make lemonade. The real survivors of being downsized, use the opportunity to Re-Invent self. What will you do with yours? Empower yourself with this Free networking function-(resume workshop, interviewing techniques, and career guidance) at Soule restaurant on Sunday afternoon, after 3 pm.
[/u]

bummedout wrote: [quote=hitokiri]not looking to escalate it, but you need to be fired for just reason.

Unless it was a company downsize...which it wasnt.

I know of a few people who have sued for unjust firings and have settled out of court.

Unjust would be the lack of procedure of going through H.R. and given legitimate warnings.

From your side of the story, it seems like this is a course you could be able to take.

From my understanding, NY is an at will employment state and companies can fire you for any reason, barring discrimination.

I may not think my firing was fair, but they were within their rights to let me go.

Thanks though.

In addition to "any reason", they can also fire you for no reason at all.

In the case of "any reason" (barring discrimination), you won't be eligible for NYS unemployment if your employer can show that you were fired for cause (excessive lateness, on going poor performance, etc).

In the case of "no reason", you are eligible for unemployment. "No reason", "Downsizing", "restructuring", and even the famous "bad fit" will all result in a maximum check of $430 ($405 plus the $25 recession bonus).
...

Under the new administration and coupled the the recession, lots of people and their reasons for being out of work are now accepted -- they used to be more strict.

I'm freelancing now, doing what I considered a hobby before, and was enormously happy when both my director and I ended our service to that job/institution.. what ever you want to call it. I was legitimately laid off though, with a great severance package. Unemployment is supplementing my freelance work and I'm a happy camper!

You can be too! Think of it as FUNemployment!

bummedout wrote: Thanks everyone, and thanks for that Clay Shirky link as he's a guy I admire. For serious I'm done saying I was let go and I'm getting myself a J-O-B!

You guys have really helped me out and I feel a lot better. I'll let you know how it goes.

Yay! Go get 'em!

I'm in the midst of a career change and that Shirky article was very inspiring to me. I remember when I had to screen potential hires (the only good thing that boss did was let those of us actually working with a new hire choose and interview them), we could usually tell gender just based on the cover letter. We had a lot of foreign names so gender was not obvious.

and until the new employer finds you, it is important to stay busy.

nothing is worse for you than sitting around ruminating about your old job, and looking at the phone waiting for potential employers to call.

...find something cheap you enjoy.

explore the city, whatever.

I recently had a four month stint of funemployment, and started a handyman business that allowed me to do things I enjoyed (i.e. make messes with power tools).