JOB SPECIAL ......The 5 Worst Things You Can Do After You Lose Your Job

The 5 Worst Things You Can Do After You Lose Your Job

Whether you're fired or laid off, the temptation to make stupid decisions can be tremendous.

When boss yanks your job out from under your feet, the result can be devastating. Whether you're fired because of misbehavior on your part or a mistake on the company's part, it feels awful. If you're laid off, you at least have the comfort of knowing it wasn't your fault, but that doesn't change the fact that you had a job yesterday and you don't have one today.

Lots of people have been fired or laid off before--myself included. Most people bounce back and often end up better off than they were before. If you want to bounce back (which you do), here are five things you should not do. They will only make the situation worse.

1. Bash Your Former Employer on Social Media.

Sure, you've seen many cases where someone gets fired and takes to social media and the employer caves and everyone lives happily ever after. That gets reported in the news precisely because it is unusual. Most likely, if you go to social media it will make things worse for you.

Why? First of all, future employers are going to Google you and if what comes back is post after post bashing your former employer, they aren't going to want to hire you. They have every reason to believe that if you publicly bash one company, you'll publicly bash another. Who wants to bring that person on board?

Stay away negativity on social media.

2. Be Embarrassed and Remain Quiet.

It can be devastating when you lose your job and the desire to not admit that to friends and family can be strong. But, your best chance of finding a new job is letting people know you're looking.

So, go ahead and post on Facebook that you're looking for a new job. What's the difference between this and the previous advice warning you to stay away from social media? The difference is the attitude. This is a good post:

Hey guys, I'm now on the job market again! I've got 5 years experience as a consumer affairs specialist and I'd love to find something in the same area. If you have any leads, let me know!

This is a bad post:

I can't believe it! [Company] just fired me for no good reason! I'm gonna sue the pants off those people! Can you recommend a lawyer? Also, I need a new job. Anyone know anything in consumer affairs?

Can you see the difference? Positive wins every time. Always, always, always positive. Let everyone know you are looking and follow up on any leads. They can come from anywhere.

3. Not Apply for Unemployment Benefits. ( NOT POSSIBLE IF IN INDIA …)

You're not eligible for unemployment if you're fired for cause. Some unscrupulous bosses will claim you were fired for cause even if you were really laid off. If your boss or HR person says, "you aren't eligible for unemployment" apply anyway. It's not their decision.

Sure, your former employer can object, but it's a state decision, not a business decision. Apply and if you are denied, appeal. Your company will have to produce proof that you were fired for cause and most unemployment boards heavily favor the former employee. Always, apply, and always appeal. It's not a ton of money, but it's money.

4. Take a Break before Job Hunting.

A few days to get your bearings, sure, but otherwise, you need to get right back out there. Why is taking a break a bad idea? Because days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, and it becomes more and more difficult to find a job. Remember, the longer you are unemployed, the less likely companies are to want to even interview you.

You need to jump right back in and start networking and applying. Long breaks are hard to overcome. And, no matter how much money you have in savings, it doesn't last forever.

5. Blame Your Former Company.

Most of the time, managers hate firing and only do it as a last resort. That doesn't mean that you were unfairly terminated. If you feel your termination violated a law, go ahead and hire an employment attorney, but then let your attorney handle it.

You need to forgive and move on. Yes, you may be right, but when you start shouting blame, it turns you negative and you will lose many opportunities because people don't like to hire negative people.

In addition, you need to figure out your role in all of this. In a layoff you can be completely blameless, but in all other situations, there's undoubtedly a change you can make. Take ownership of your own errors and be prepared to talk about them in a job interview. If you focus too much on what they did wrong, you'll never get a chance to prove yourself again.

BY SUZANNE LUCAS

http://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/the-five-worst-things-you-can-do-after-you-lose-your-job.html?cid=nl029week41day12A

PS: IN INDIA YOU CAN USE THIS PERIOD TO PREPARE FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS, MBA SCHOOLS

-     MS