Career Advice - Dismissed, Termined, Fired

How to Keep Your Cool When You're Losing Your Job

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Dating Tips and Advice

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm really nervous that I'm going to be fired soon. I've been screwing up a lot of things at work, and I feel like my boss is at his end with me. I know that I'll be fine and will be able to get a new job, but I've never been fired before and I'm not looking forward to it. How should I react when my boss actually sits me down and tells me I'm fired? Should I try to defend myself or just accept it and leave?

Sincerely,

Fired Up

A:

Dear Fired Up,
You just have to remember three little words: Grace under fire. If you can hold your cool, you should be just fine throughout the firing process.

How to handle getting fired:

1. Do nothing. The instinct for many of us is to react -- either by blaming other people, getting angry and making a scene or begging for the job back. Try doing nothing. You can still react later if you want to. But you can't take back anything you say in a burst of panic. 

2. Take a deep breath and reflect on why you got fired. Talk to family and friends who can be constructive in helping you analyze what happened and why. 

3. Take responsibility for your part in the firing. 

4. Make a plan for what you want to do next -- even if the plan is to take four weeks off and figure out your life. Having a plan will keep you from panicking and will help you make a smart decision. 

5. Exit with grace. Thank everyone for their time with you. Don't boast false bravado. Be sad if you feel sad. But continue to be professional even after the job ends. 

 

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

Date Out Of Your League Think & Date Like a Man Ideas for a Fun Date Romantic Date Ideas

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.