I just got canned...

[Wally_West]

So, fresh out of college, and working for the past 6 months...today, my boss takes me into the conference room, and debriefs me...

i don't know what i feel right now.

I know i don't want to kill myself.

but what do i do now? How do i even get back up on my feet again?

[rick]

Take the weekend, relax and figure out where you should go apply.

Monday, go and file for unemployment.

Tuesday, get the resume in order.

Wednesday (at the latest), hit the bricks.


Good luck. :)

[Ben Morgan]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought you meant you were on the toilet or something

[Jeff Brady]

So, fresh out of college, and working for the past 6 months...today, my boss takes me into the conference room, and debriefs me...

i don't know what i feel right now.

I know i don't want to kill myself.

but what do i do now? How do i even get back up on my feet again?

What Rick said. It ain't the end of the world.

[tangentman]

That sucks, Wally. I'm sorry to hear about your termination.

Your first step is applying for unemployment. You need income until you find another job. I noticed you didn't give your boss' reasons for ending your employment, but regardless, prepare your case for the Department of Labor. Employers often challenge the claim, so you may eventually need to request a hearing. Depending on state policy, as it varies by state, the panel hearing your case may not require your presence. Folks I know who've been through the process tell me that you might speak w/a case worker by phone. Visit your local Department of Labor and find out what you need for unemployment.

Next, get out your resume and update it. Put your name out there and see who responds. Your reason for leaving the job may come up in an interview or application. If so, tell the truth--it's an everyday reality, people get fired sometimes. A prospective employer will appreciate honesty more than an effort at keeping up appearances.

Most of all, don't let this setback discourage you too much. Yes, it sucks and it's painful. However, one firing doesn't determine your worth as a person. This loss might actually lead to a better career opportunity for you! Good luck! :)

[Nikita]

So, fresh out of college, and working for the past 6 months...today, my boss takes me into the conference room, and debriefs me...

i don't know what i feel right now.

I know i don't want to kill myself.

but what do i do now? How do i even get back up on my feet again?



Was there something specific he was displeased with?

Sorry to hear that. But you have a college degree, so that alone, will help you get something again.

[Wally_West]

he said i was underperforming.

although, he was vague about the underperformance.

ive already updated the resume, and sent it to a bunch of people and put it on monster. i just dont know what to do now. never had something that was more than half my awake time for the past 6 months suddenly taken away from me

im not looking forward to the whole applying for unemployment either...

[Mysterio]

Man, Wally. Sorry to hear that. I know how that goes, same thing happened to me a few years ago. It sucks and you're numb at first, but it'll get better. Rick's suggestions are right on the money. And if you're lucky like I was, your new job will be even better than your old one! Good luck!!

[tangentman]

he said i was underperforming.

although, he was vague about the underperformance.

Document that final conversation for your unemployment process. If you recall any specific proof that refutes his claim, document it specifically--days, dates, times, people involved. Do you have any sympathetic former co-workers or supervisors? If yes, tell them you're filing for unemployment and ask them if they're willing to be character witnesses in an unemployment hearing.

ive already updated the resume, and sent it to a bunch of people and put it on monster. i just dont know what to do now. never had something that was more than half my awake time for the past 6 months suddenly taken away from me

im not looking forward to the whole applying for unemployment either...


Yes, the process seems dismal, but not paying your bills is far worse! You'll find another job and settle into a new routine. I know it's hard to imagine a way out when you're still in the midst of a hard time, but it WILL pass and get better. Learn from the old job. If you can think of things you could have done differently, put them into practice in the new job.

[Nikita]

he said i was underperforming.

although, he was vague about the underperformance.

ive already updated the resume, and sent it to a bunch of people and put it on monster. i just dont know what to do now. never had something that was more than half my awake time for the past 6 months suddenly taken away from me

im not looking forward to the whole applying for unemployment either...



Hmmm. Sounds like he just wanted to trim corners and you became the scapegoat since you'd only been there six months.

If you need something quickly (for bills), try the employment agency ManPower. They tend to focus on more professional type temporary to perm jobs. I used them to find my job eleven years ago.

Be careful of putting your resume online. I keep hearing horror stories about all kinds of identity theft happening with online resumes.


I wish you luck out there Wally.

[mauisunset]

So, fresh out of college, and working for the past 6 months...today, my boss takes me into the conference room, and debriefs me...

i don't know what i feel right now.

I know i don't want to kill myself.

but what do i do now? How do i even get back up on my feet again?

Really sorry to hear about that. It's definately tough to go through. I didn't read every response so someone might have mentioned this already, but:

Rush Limbaugh (of who I have very mixed feelings) talks about how all people that become prosperous, successful proffessionals get fired at one time or another.

Just think of it as a readjustment for a better future. Obviously you just didn't fit in at that company or under that boss. You'll find somewhere that you'll fit better.

My best advice would be to definately keep your head up. I got dumped once and went into this six-month spiral. Potential employers will read your body language if you don't approach them confidently. I ended up finallygetting another job and became one of the most valued employees at the company.

I would also really reccomend a book by a guy named Zig Ziggler(yeah, I know). It's a sales-training book, but, as he says in the book, you're always selling yourself in any job, whether it's just selling confidence in your work or what you produce-whatever. I can't recall the specific book's name but it's his basic starting sales type of book. You'll find it at just about any decent bookstore.

When you go on interviews don't look at it as just a job. Research the company, know what they're looking for, only apply if you truly believe you'll both enjoy the mutually-beneficial relationship and then walk in with all the confidence in the world.

I know you might not be in the best position for this next little piece of advice, but if you're having a hard time with your confidence, buy a really nice outfit(s) for interviews and work-if you look really prime you have no idea how much difference that will make in your interactions-you'll come off as very competent and people really will treat you much differently.

Good luck. Keep your head up.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

It sucks dude... I've never been fired from a job. Came close....


My 3 solutions.

1. FRAME YOUR BOSS:

Hire a stripper to come into the Boss's office and get naked quick. Come in with a camera and snap a pic of the 2 togethor . Now you can frame him and perhaps get a better job position.


2. MARRY HIS DAUGHTER:

Does your boss have a single daughter that legal enough to marry ? Thats your ticket. Now do not blame me if she weighs 400+ pounds and has pimples all over...its how bad you want this job.

3. PULL THE RACE CARD !


Are you black , 1 part french ...or 1 part Irish ? Claim that this firing is due to racial reasons and claim your gonna sue his ass off !




If you follow those 2 helpful hints....perhaps you may get your job back.

[Paradox]

SUPERECWFAN1 hits close to home:

3. PULL THE RACE CARD !


Are you black , 1 part french ...or 1 part Irish ? Claim that this firing is due to racial reasons and claim your gonna sue his ass off !

You're joking, of course, but about half the people that get fired from my work pull this.

Yes, it's because you're black, not because you don't show up half the time, and when you do you're late and when you're here you're not doing your work. Yup, it must be racial. :rolleyes:

[stealthwise]

That's rough man. Hold in there, and just keep yourself busy. Nothing worse than loafing around and getting unmotivated after a while. Try to make each day worthwhile while you search for work, and don't let the hunt get you down.

[Shellhead]

I got fired from my first career-related job just six months after graduation. It was a pretty tough job search, but fortunately I had a great reference from an internship that I did during my last year of college. It only took me four months to get hired by the next employer, but to survive, I went back and worked at a retail job that I had during college during the intervening months.

[Matt]

The best way to get a job is cold contacts.

In other words, print off a load of copies of your resume, go into workplaces and plonk your resume on the bosses desk.

Most bosses are impressed by that sort of commitment to finding work and will usually add the resume to a file or consider hiring you on a trial basis or something.

[Matt Algren]

Sorry to hear it, Wally. You mentioned Monster.com; from what I hear, that's not nearly as effective as it was a few years ago, and a few years ago it wasn't that effective. If you see a position you're interested in, go to the company's site and apply from there. Better yet, go to their physical location.

[jessecuster3]

Sorry to hear it, Wally. You mentioned Monster.com; from what I hear, that's not nearly as effective as it was a few years ago, and a few years ago it wasn't that effective. If you see a position you're interested in, go to the company's site and apply from there. Better yet, go to their physical location.

I think that depends on the industry, I wouldn't have my job now or my last job, if it weren't for my resume out on Monster.

[Wally_West]

Sorry to hear it, Wally. You mentioned Monster.com; from what I hear, that's not nearly as effective as it was a few years ago, and a few years ago it wasn't that effective. If you see a position you're interested in, go to the company's site and apply from there. Better yet, go to their physical location.

i appreciate the advice. thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement. i know i will get through this (if i don't kill myself or land myself in jail first), but it just doesnt feel like i can get through this right now.

this weekend is going to be hard. next week will be hard. and every week that i don't hear back from companies that i have applied to, will make living just that much harder. but i know things will work out cuz im still young as hell. i just need to get past this stage of depression and self-loathing, and believe i can move on and bounce back.

again. thanks to everyone for your words of support and advice.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

From the sounds of it, I'm twenty years ahead of you. I had a hard time finding a job right out of college, but I hung in there, and I now own my business. Everyone goes through this process.

You have to hang in there, but you should also take stock of your skills. IOW, do you have a skill set that's marketable, where you can easily find a job? If not, can you go learn one, either by going back to school or by learning it by getting another job? Be honest with yourself, and you'll be OK.

Good luck, bud.

[Wally_West]

From the sounds of it, I'm twenty years ahead of you. I had a hard time finding a job right out of college, but I hung in there, and I now own my business. Everyone goes through this process.

You have to hang in there, but you should also take stock of your skills. IOW, do you have a skill set that's marketable, where you can easily find a job? If not, can you go learn one, either by going back to school or by learning it by getting another job? Be honest with yourself, and you'll be OK.

Good luck, bud.

yeah...skill set isnt what i'm worried about. in fact, over these 6 months, i can boast a significant range of knowledge that my peers cannot.

it was just a hard hit. translations: i F***ed up royally.

[Liberty Belle Fan]

Wally we've all been there. It takes awhile to find your spot in the world and six months to a year from now you might look back and see the termination as a blessing in disguise. A lot of the previous posters have some great advice. The most important thing to do is keep your cool, don't get discouraged, and keep a lot of options open.

One thing to not do is count on a single interview or two as a lifeline. What I mean is if you think you have a job in the bag and don't continue to look you may go to a second interview and end up not getting the position. Sometimes it has nothing to do with you, the company may change their mind about opening the postion.

Get the word out to friends, and colleagues - you may be interested in doing something they currently do for a living and they can help you get your foot in the door.

Also, take this time to recenter and chill out a little bit. Sure it's nervewracking finding a job, but enjoy some downtime while you have it.

You'll be ok, stay positive.

[beetlebum]

That sucks Wally. http://www.mommiesnbabies.com/forums/images/smilies/more9.gif

I know how you feel. I was terminated from my job last August, and I had to leave my other job as a parking lot attendant because the season ended. I filed for unemployment, and my claim was rejected, due to the fact that I had gotten into a "dispute" with my boss. The truth is, I was asked to resign after I left an angry message on her voice mail about the way she was treating me. And she forced me to , I had no choice. Perhaps the rejection would not have hurt so much had I been a bad employee. But my tenure at that company says the opposite.

Now, I'm going to be broke for a while. I've had to ask my mom for money (which sucks, she doesn't make that much her self.) TangentMan does offer good advice, and do file applications online. The holiday season is upon us, so I'm hoping to get temporary seasonal employment in a department store.

EDITTOADDNOTE: Do ask around, I've told a few people about my predicament, and they've linked me to websites and sent me several suggestions. And yes, it is better to show up at the physical location of the company. It shows that you show great interest, and that you really want to work there. It may take a while though. I know someone who had to file 11 applications before being hired at the construction company he works for. Persistence pays off. Not all cases are like that though. I am most certain you'll be hired again soon.

*Points to sig* There is a reason why I quote R.F.K and Aeschylus in my sig. It's because those words are so true, we must suffer in order to learn wisdom. I pray that you'll make it out of this like refined gold. And just let hope keep powering you forward.



You're feeling a moment, but it'll slip away.
(http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMjg QLEZ6vjY&ei=VK03R6qhH5qmpwT_pbi5DA&usg=AFQjCNGcQlxGCusrABpP7Kv1HUGhflOucw&sig2=lRvQ8w2wriTIHXKxfbKs4Q)

It's just a moment, this time will pass.

And it may be kinda corny, but millions of football (soccer fans) sing it every match, for a reason:

You'll never walk alone. (http://video.google.com/url?docid=-1771283371847973991&esrc=sr6&ev=v&len=164&q=You'll%2Bnever%2Bwalk%2Balone%2BGerry%2BAnd%2BTh e%2BPacemakers&srcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D 52sjKHByA5k&vidurl=%2Fvideoplay%3Fdocid%3D-1771283371847973991%26q%3DYou%2527ll%2Bnever%2Bwal k%2Balone%2BGerry%2BAnd%2BThe%2BPacemakers%26total %3D37%26start%3D0%26num%3D10%26so%3D0%26type%3Dsea rch%26plindex%3D5&usg=AL29H22WP0Mg7yRlajlDQxb_8juLnWw2Ew)

Because we're here.:)

[DeadXMan]

simple
Call up somebudies
get some Booze, some good tunes from the Internet radio of choose

and celebrate your liberation from the workforce.

Now that you feel good about yourself you can look for a better job.

and for some fun rent a sports car a drive to your old boss and thank him for letting you go. and take a picture of his reaction ;) (Bonus if you got a hot friend in the passenger seat)

[Sabrina_Fried]

My condolences. I also got fired from my first paid job in the field I graduated from about 6 weeks after they hired me. Seems that the boss didn't like me complaining that, as the editor of the digital proofs, I didn't have a computer in the office and wasn't allowed to work from home.

I'm not sure where you live, but check out your local employment centre. Over here, the centres offer all sorts of great programs that can help you find a new job. They can help you redesign your resume to highlight your skill sets and bypass the automated keyword filters used through places like Monster so that your resume actually gets seen by a real person. They can do some career coaching with you to try to help you figure out what kind of job you will enjoy. Some of them even offer mock interviews so that you can sharpen your skills.


Sabrina

[MJC]

This thread scares me.

I graduate from college in December and I live in a state with a HORRIBLE economy. Hopefully I find something... :(

[Wally_West]

This thread scares me.

I graduate from college in December and I live in a state with a HORRIBLE economy. Hopefully I find something... :(

learn from us. if you think you're doing something that might get you fired. don't do it. sounds simple...but it almost never is.

[mauisunset]

The best way to get a job is cold contacts.

I appreciate anyone willing to help you, Wally, but I think that's totally wrong. The whole bottom of my resume is filled with jobs that were hooked up by freinds. At least look to them to get a good word since you may not have it otherwise.

Wally I read your second to last post, and, really, my friend, relax.

You will get through this. We all have. Not all of us internet or comic book people. We all have. I own a very successful business. I got fired about five years ago.

You're greatest enemy in this is yourself.

"fear is our greatest enemy."

But do reach out to a support network if you have one, lot's of companies are always looking for lots of great employees.


I'll tell you what: as a business owner, I can see that you obviously cared about your job. I'll give you a job. Might not be what you want or where you want, but there you go.

Your first job offer.

[mauisunset]

This thread scares me.

I graduate from college in December and I live in a state with a HORRIBLE economy. Hopefully I find something... :(

Read above. And quit it. You didn't even get fired yet.


And no, you don't get a job.

[mauisunset]

One more thing Wally,

I was lucky enough to get a good influince in life who changed a lot about how I thought about work, someone who's owned businesses and is genuinly smart. Life isn't just about if you earned your lot today. It's whether you earned your lot plus whether you kept your eyes on a bigger, better future.

You're gonna have hard times, gonna be sick, gonna get a speeding ticket. Life sucks, wear a hat. (It does suck bad sometimes, though.)

Gonna do fine.

[macul]

Nothing to worry about in my opinion. You are straight out of school. I almost wouldn't expect you to know "how to work." I will attempt to phrase this the best I can: working in your career of choice is rarely an easy transition from the type of jobs you work in high school and college.

A college education, in my opinion (and I'm just basing this off of working in IT), does not in any way prepare you to work in the cliched "real world." It is another step in the educational process. It will take time to adapt. You will have to develop new skills. Learn from this experience. Use it as a stepping stone to improve your career.

[Slappy san]

This thread scares me.

I graduate from college in December and I live in a state with a HORRIBLE economy. Hopefully I find something... :(

My advice....MOVE

[dougputhoff]

Damn, Wally.

I'm sorry.

I feel your pain. Been fired a couple of times, too.

I just prayed for you.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Nothing to worry about in my opinion. You are straight out of school. I almost wouldn't expect you to know "how to work." I will attempt to phrase this the best I can: working in your career of choice is rarely an easy transition from the type of jobs you work in high school and college.

A college education, in my opinion (and I'm just basing this off of working in IT), does not in any way prepare you to work in the cliched "real world." It is another step in the educational process. It will take time to adapt. You will have to develop new skills. Learn from this experience. Use it as a stepping stone to improve your career.

It's one of those rare occasions where I agree with macul!

Most people aren't ready for work when they come out of school/uni/whatever - I wasn't and ended up taking a job in an unrelated industry to the one I studied, and it was a great experience which taught me a lot about the working world.
Since then, when training people, it's people who have already worked a full time job that are the easiest to train - people straight out of uni/college are hard to train because they are convinced they know everything (and sometimes feel the need to tell you how to do stuff), and so you actually have to break them down a little before training them back (ie you gotta let them fail a few times to realise they aren't the be all and end all), and some of them come in treating it like school - ie don't seem interested in the job, drag their feet, and just don't seem self-motivated to be there.

So use this as a learning experience for your next job - either you know what you did wrong and should learn from it, or if not, you know that you have to try harder to stop it happening again!