First steps after being laid off or fired or terminated

Being laid off or fired is painful. It is a blow to the wallet and the self-esteem at the same time. Depending on how it was handled it might even make you lose faith in humanity. Many people's first inclination is to go out and apply for a dozen jobs the next day... that is usually a bad idea. You are not at your best in the days following a termination and it will show in your application, cover letters, resumes and interviews. Even if you do get a job the latent anger and sadness will come out while you are at the new job.

So, here is a plan of action for the first days following your termination:

1. Give yourself a few days; make it through the anger phase if at all possible
2. Investigate the bureaucratic relief possibilities (unemployment, etc.)
3. Check out the legal relief possibilities if you think those are applicable
4. Take at least one day and call it a vacation day
5. Get involved in a new project like volunteering or a creative effort
6. Check in with people you have not talked to for a while
7. Read a book
8. Consider what you can put on your future resumes that differentiates yourself from other people looking for jobs
9. Then start looking

At the end of these steps you will be in a better frame of mind and able to make a good impression. I recall one time an associate of mine was laid off from his job and decided to interview the next day. He showed up in shorts, unshaven and complained about the layoff during the interview. The company he interviewed with desperately needed someone with his skills and yet still chose to pass because of the way he presented himself.