After you’ve been fired, getting back into the job market can be difficult. How should your résumé reference the previous position, or should you even include it? What should you say in an interview? And how can you go into the application process feeling positive about your prospects?
How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been Fired
Looking for a job is never easy and it’s even more nerve-wracking after you’ve been fired and your confidence has been through the wringer. Here are some tips on how to get back into the job market. Pace yourself. Don’t apply for new jobs right away. Get the sadness and bitterness out of your system and give yourself time to heal. Focus on the positive. Don’t omit your previous role from your resume but don’t draw attention to it either. Instead, play up your skills and other accomplishments. Prepare your story. Devise a plan for how you’ll handle direct questions about your previous job. Keep it short and upbeat. For instance: “This is what happened. Here’s what I learned. And here’s what I would do differently if I were in that situation again.” Take control of your interviews. Research shows that interviewers make up their minds within three to five minutes of meeting a candidate.