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I was just let go from my job. How to cope?
Drakeon
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hi all, I was just let go from my job. This is my first time ever experiencing anything like this and I'm kind of at a loss on how to cope. I've spent the first hour or so looking at applying for places in a similar field. I was not informed why I was let go (I had a 1 year Probationary period) and have yet to figure out why. I worked as a Probation Officer for a county in California and am now applying for others, but I don't know if this is a fruitless task or not, as they will talk to my previous employer and I don't know if that will stop me from being considered.
What all should I be doing? I'm looking into filing for unemployment and about to give my 30 days notice to my apartment complex (as my and my fiance's parents live 4 hours north and I was supporting the both of us where we currently live).
What all should I be doing? I'm looking into filing for unemployment and about to give my 30 days notice to my apartment complex (as my and my fiance's parents live 4 hours north and I was supporting the both of us where we currently live).
PSN: Drakieon XBL: Drakieon Steam: TheDrakeon
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Don't get into the habit of "oh I'm fired now, so let me coast and do nothing and take a break."
Your new "job" is to find another job. 8-5. Apply to anywhere that meets your expectations. Once you've got 2-3 weeks without really any catches on your fishing, move on to lower paying jobs to hold you over. Do weekends at target or something. Anything. (hopefully you get paid more there than your unemployment gives).
Don't expect to be told why you were let go. If they haven't told you already, they're not going to.
Definitely sign up for unemployment, it takes a good 2 months before you get a check, so sooner rather then later.
Update the resume and start cranking out cover letters like it's your job (it is, now) applying anywhere and everywhere that might get you a job in your field.
I've seen studies indicating that it's easier to get a job if you have a job, so don't be too down on taking a lesser job then you were working, once you have a job you don't have to stop looking.
Going to echo Bowen (again), don't let your self coast. It's so easy to get into the mindset of "screw it, I'm taking today off" that it's not even funny. And it's really tough to pull your shit out of that kind of hole once you get good and comfortable watching Jerry Springer reruns all day.
You know what's better than pride?
Being able to eat.
Tomorrow morning your job (after you apply for unemployment) is to spend eight hours (or more!) applying for jobs. Not fucking around and putting in a resume or two, but searching and applying for every job that you can find in your salary range. Apply to every job you can find that's directly related to your last job. Apply to every job you can find that's similar to your last job. Apply to any job you can stretch your skillset to cover. You clearly can use a computer, so that puts almost all Tier 1 support jobs on the table. You were a parole officer so you dealt with people, so that's customer relation skills. Etc. Start at the higher salaries and work your way down.
Suck up your pride, because pride doesn't pay rent. There are a lot of cliches that you can use - work is work, beggars can't be choosers, etc. If you aren't finding a job immediately, taking a 'minimum wage' job has two very important benefits - one is that it gets you cash, and two is it keeps you from having a gap in your employment record. If it takes a few months to find a decent job, showing that you are a 'go getter' who got right out and found another job - stocking shelves, working as a midnight cashier, cleaning toilets, whatever - gives you a bit of an edge.
I was fired from my last job, long story short, to save my boss' ass from getting fired. Essentially he shifted the blame for something to me and I never had a chance to defend myself (was fired over the phone).
I got hired at a new (and thankfully, better job) two months later. All my references were either current or former coworkers of the place I got fired from, including a supervisor. Those references convinced the folks doing the hiring at my current job that I had gotten a raw deal.
I should note that I did NOT say anything negative about being fired when I was interviewing. I explained the story the best I could, said it was probably just the result of a misunderstanding, and explained what I'd learned from it that made me a better worker. I turned it into something positive.
Oh and like Citizen059 said, solid references a go a LONG way. I wouldn't have the job I have now if it wasn't for my references and they told me that when they hired me.
This. Example from IL; was on the dole, and working at Whole Foods, plus contract work. Each week I called in and reported my pay, and if that amount was equal to what the state was gibing me, I got no thing from them. Kind of shity system since it encourages you not to work.
That can better since just collecting benefits lets you focus on getting rehired.
If it was simply that they needed to lose someone to balance the books and you were easy to drop being the newest guy, then that's all (relatively) good and you can move on with the hunt.
If they thought you were under performing in a way you weren't even aware of, then you need to find out what the deal was so history doesn't repeat at the next job.
Like others have said, treat your job search like a real job. Try to get a schedule going. Don't just sit in your sweatpants and click on careerbuilder over and over again. Get showered, dressed, have breakfast, etc.
This is the first time in about 7 years that I've had to look for a job, and something that kinda surprised me is how much of it is done online nowadays. You might not be hitting the pavement as much, unless you're looking for retail work. So with that said, make sure you have an awesome cover letter. I have a couple of templates, and then I try to tailor them to every job I apply to.
I didn't think I would, but I've had some luck with careerbuilder and monster, at least in lining up interviews. Temp agencies can also be a good avenue.
Also, make sure to take breaks so you don't get cabin fever. Pack your lunch and go to a park, take over grocery shopping, etc. I never though I would look so forward to walking my dog around the neighborhood as I do now.
I'm sorry you have to go through this, but good luck!
I mean, yeah, it'd be great if I could find out why. But I asked my supervisor point blank and she informed me she couldn't tell me why, just that I was being let go. I wasn't even terminated, technically. I was "released from probationary status". The letter they gave me doesn't explain anything either, it's a vague BS form letter they give to everyone they do this to. I've asked some of the people around my office to let me know if they hear anything, but everyone seems to be as in the dark as me. I can confirm it's not for budgetary reasons, as they are still actively hiring.
I'm supposed to receive what's called Performance Appraisal Forms (PAF) at 3, 5, 9 and 12 months. I only received one at 5 months (although I hear from my coworkers this is something that happens a lot). However, I have no reason to believe I shouldn't have received a PAF at 9 months. I've even spoken to coworkers who've worked there nearly a year without even one. So after talking with some coworkers, I'm definitely going to bring this up to any background investigators in my future, to let them know I'd only received one PAF and that it indicated I was doing well. I do not intend to throw my former department or supervisor under the bus however, as that's an obviously terrible idea.
At this point, I've been reaching out to former coworkers to get references for a personal history statement (which is necessary for my background investigation) on the assumption that I get past the interview stage here for this county I recently tested for. I've also reached out to this county's supervisors, to meet with them and talk about what they do, so I can be better prepared for my interview with the county. Additionally, I've applied to two counties yesterday who were actively hiring and reached out to a county nearby who wasn't hiring, but to see if I could work some magic and get an extra help position there any ways (still waiting to hear back). I also heard that I'm scheduled to test for another county on Saturday.
The only problem is that these processes all take a while. So with that in mind, I've reached out to a former employer who owns a small business to see if they could set me up with some work after I get moved back for a little bit. I've also started gathering transcripts and the like for my personal history statement (its a 30 page document, requires a bunch of stuff, but I've done it before so I know the ropes).
Additionally, I'm going to start looking for work at a few places when I get settled back at my parents house. Right now I'm focusing on packing things for moving in a few weeks here.
However it is perfectly legal to terminate someone because they are uglier or prettier than you, or because you hate the hats they wear, or because they are not productive enough, or you can get someone to do the job cheaper. Now they go on unemployment and that raises your unemployment insurance rate, which means there is a cost associated with it. Also that kind of random firing goes against standard industry practice, hurts morale and makes people not want to work for you, increaseing the wage you have to pay to retain critical help. So there is a significant financial motivation to at least appearing "fair."
This was a government job though so they normally would have to fire for cause, but the OP was within the probation period and they can remove someone for any reason during that period.
Biggest thing is to just send cover letters and resumes everywhere. Let the interviewers decide whether or not you're fit for a job, instead of deciding for yourself and not sending one in in the first place.
Chicago Megagame group
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I quit my job because a social group connected to my clan was making my customer service values plummet. When I was trying to find work and applying for unemployment, I got rejected for unemployment because someone reported that I had a job already.
If that happens to you REAPPPLY!
Keep an ear out for short term work that can get you over the hump. Having your food handling permit (or whatever you have in your state) can make you sound nicer and should only take $10 and an hour of work.
1) I went through this last summer.
2) I live and work in California.
3) I had a government (county) job.
4) My employers decided to "end my probationary period" and refused to give me an explanation why.
5) I had no idea it was coming.
So with that said, here's how I handled it: First, I cried. Second, I told my family. Then I got to work.
I was fired on a Monday morning, and by that afternoon I had finished filing for unemployment. DO IT RIGHT AWAY. The unemployment process takes a long time and you will probably go a month before getting your first check (it's not a check, it's actually a debit card). It's all online now, so it's pretty easy and there's no embarrassment from having to "stand in the unemployment line." Start filing even if you think you might get a job before you get the first payment. If you no longer need unemployment, you just stop sending in the form that says "I still need unemployment" and they will stop sending you money. That's it.
Okay, filing. Be honest on your form. Don't say that you were laid off when you were actually fired. If you don't know the reason why, type in "I don't know the reason why." You WILL get a call from EDD to schedule a phone interview about why you were fired. On that interview, again, be honest. I told my interviewer that I was in a probationary period at my job, I was fired, and my employers refused to tell me why. I didn't get any warning and I never suspected that I was in danger of losing my job.
I want to say this again because it's important: When you're going through the unemployment process, tell the truth. The interviewer has already interviewed your former employer once before calling you. After they're done with you, they're going to call your former employer again and do a second interview. Because of the circumstances of my termination I had no problem passing that hurdle, and I received the maximum benefit that I could. I think you'll probably end up the same way.
It looks like you're already doing the other thing you need to be doing, which is looking for a new job. Keep doing that. You should be shameless about reaching out to contacts and people that can help. No one wants to be in your position, and anyone who's a decent person will want to help you get out of it. Just keep looking and keep applying, even if it's a job you think you have no chance of getting. You just never know until you try.
The only other piece of advice I have for you at this point is to make sure that you talk about your feelings. Tell your friends and loved ones about how you're confused, angry, ashamed, or whatever you're feeling. When you're done venting, listen to them and let them encourage you. When they tell you that it's alright, that you're not a failure, and that you'll get through this, believe them.
Anyway, keep at it. Keep looking and keep trying. Good luck. You'll get through it.
So they let me go on a monday, called me into the office and said "It's not working out, we're letting you go.". I called my buddy, asked if he wanted to get some breakfast before he started work (I started at 8:30 and he started at 10) and he said "Fuck breakfast, I'm taking the day off and we're gonna party." So we stopped by Best Buy, bought some cheesy horror movies, stopped by the liquor store and bought some booze, then spent the day watching movies and getting drunk.
Then I went home, went to bed and woke up the next day and started looking for work. The key is to make looking for work your new job. This obviously depends on how much you have in savings or what unemployment is like in your state.
I had a substantial savings so I told myself I would spend 6 hours of every day actively looking for jobs. I broke my previous salary down into an hourly rate and then told myself for the first two weeks I would look for jobs within a 2 dollar range of that. The next two weeks withing a 4 dollar range of that, and then going down by 2 dollars every two weeks.
Within 3 weeks I had found a new job. Just stay positive, take it like a working vacation and be realistic about having to lower your standards.
I just wanted to reiterate everyone's point about filing for unemployment. In many cases it gives a more livable "wage" than the minimum in your state, especially if you have been working for a little while.
In my case, I moved to an area where jobs in my field are hard to find. While looking for work I took a temp job that lasted five months, but it was difficult to find the energy to apply to as many jobs as I did before I took the temp job, as I assume it may be when working a minimum wage type job. I was let go from that a month or two ago, and didn't file for unemployment right away, and have been living on savings.
Since then, It has taken me "a while" to find a new job, and unemployment is a great way to give yourself the ability to survive while simultaneously giving you time to focus on applying for jobs, going to interviews, etc...
Remember, like Darkewolfe said, unemployment is an earned benefit, that is, you paid into (or your employer paid into and that was likely reflected in your wage), and are thus eligible for. I can't overstate how important it is to have the time to go through the application process for positions you want, rather than for minimum wage jobs which might actually take away from the time you can dedicate to the job hunt.
So if you take a lower paying retail job and down the road you need to go back on, your new rate may be adjusted downward to reflect your retail pay. There's some time limits, but just something else to keep in mind.
Just a thought, good luck.
...I've been there man. It's gonna be okay, but it does suck.
The first thing I realized is that unemployment is awesome even if you only get like $300 a week. It's better than nothing and it does help. The second thing I realized is that unemployment is technically more than like $8.75 an hour, which is what I got offered to go back to retail (I was let go from my $50k a year job, so that was fucking hard to deal with)
I went back into retail for two reasons (rather than just staying on unemployment)
1) It gave me more motivation to look for a better job and network at the same time. (being in a shitty job made me search harder for a better one than waking up, getting my government check, and sending out resumes on monster.com for a few hours before I started drinking) Getting out of the house wins every time in my opinion.
2) Like I said, the money was the same, but that also was including getting health insurance through retail (so technically retail did provide a little more, but after insurance it was the same amount as unemployment) but having health insurance made me feel a LOT more secure about things.
You've already done the ground work (found a new place to live, looking at other counties, etc) so just keep at it. Find a job at Target or GameStop or OfficeMax or anything that you can find, and use that to keep your mind used to a working environment while you look for new jobs.
You'll bounce back.
I'm also (very slowly) going through several county's processes for Probation Officer up where I used to live and will be moving in 7 days back to live with my parents (and my wife's parents, it's a fluid situation and hasn't been firmly decided yet). Should hear if I have an interview from the one by the 21st. I'm still very worried about how being "released from probationary status" will affect my background, as I'm no closer to figuring out why I was let go. I've spent a dozen hours speculating on a bunch of things, but it's just idle speculation. I'm hoping the training I received at my previous employer will help overcome that stigma of being laid off, as they won't have to pay for me to receive several mandatory training's that all recruits go through. I've also been in close contact with the supervisors for the two counties I'm furthest along in, to establish a rapport with them and get an idea of the department.
Sort of feel like I'm liveblogging here, but I guess I just need somewhere to put my progress so it doesn't feel like I'm doing nothing.