How to Cope With Being Fired

Call it what you want--being fired, getting laid off, being asked to leave, terminated or downsized. No matter how you cut it, getting the proverbial pink slip is devastating to not only to your bank account, but to your morale and ego as well. Follow these steps to cope with being fired so you can get back into the game.

Instructions

1. Maintain a level head. Collect your belongings and leave your workplace with dignity. Don't go back to try to get your job back. It's best to sever ties completely, as long as there are no loose ends that you must tie up, such as contracts or financial obligations. Human Resources usually contacts you regarding any of these issues.

2. Put yourself in the right mindset. Many people look back after being fired and realize how unhappy they'd been in their position. It's best to look for the silver lining when you've been forced out of your job. Perhaps you've wanted to leave your job for some time, but were afraid to take that step. Being fired makes that decision easy for you.

3. Use this time to re-evaluate where you are in your career. Think about whether you're satisfied with your line of work, your responsibilities and your professional ranking. You may decide you want more for yourself or you could realize you need a break from the stress you experienced with your last position. Make this loss a gain.

4. Evaluate what you could have done differently and how you can fix that in the future. Being fired is the grown-up version of a detention or being kicked off the soccer team. This is a time to learn from your experiences and move forward with a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses and how you can do better in your next position.

5. Remind yourself that almost everyone loses their job at some point in their working lives. It happens to the best of us and does not mean you were a bad employee. Sometimes employers have their hands tied and must make a tough decision that ends poorly for one unfortunate employee.