Job loss is a difficult experience to recover from, particularly if it arises from wrongful termination. Dealing with frustration, anger, and uncertainty can be a lot. But with the right game plan and mentality, you can turn it into a win for your career.
In this guide, you will learn actionable tips and insights to make your job search less challenging after you have been a victim of wrongful termination.
Dealing with Emotional Fallout
First and foremost, learn that it’s okay to feel a slew of emotions after the fact. You may experience a variety of feelings, including disappointment and anxiety for what is to come.
You are going to need your support system: friends, family, or professional counselors who can help keep you emotionally afloat through this difficult period. Self-care including exercise, meditation, and hobbies also become key tools that keep your mental and emotional health on track, making you more resilient in your job search.
Evaluating and Contemplating Where You Are
At this point, before you delve into job applications, reflect on your career aspirations, and think of any shifts you would like to make. Identify your skills, strengths and weaknesses. Finally, make a list of additional certifications you will need to compete at the next level of employment. When you know what your professional goals are, you can better target your job hunt.
Refresh Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
A standout resume and LinkedIn profile are essential during the job application process. Bring attention to your best strengths. Maximize your profile with a powerful headline and summary that boasts your expertise and what you aspire to accomplish in the future. Use past co-workers to vouch for you to establish credibility and demonstrate a broader professional network.
How to Write a Great Cover Letter
Write compelling cover letter will help you stand out from other candidates in the long run. Individualize every cover letter to the job you are applying for. Highlight your enthusiasm for the role and how your background lines up with what you will do in the job. If you show in your volunteer work that you are genuinely interested in and fit in well with the new role you are looking to hold, hiring managers can be impressed.
Preparing for an Interview
You want to be as ready to deliver the information that you might want to share during an interview in terms of wrongful termination as you possibly can. Practice some basic interview questions and try to show that your termination occurred under positive circumstances. Structure your responses to behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) which lets you demonstrate problem-solving skills and your ability to overcome setbacks.
When discussing the time you were not employed because you were wrongly terminated, spin it positively and succinctly, and allude to the lessons you have learned and how you have grown from it. For example, regarding getting terminated, you might say, “I had certain difficulties in my last job that eventually led to my leaving. But I have learned and have improved as a result which makes me ready to come to another organization.”
Networking Tactics
Networking is a strong search tool for any job. Try tapping into your network via former colleagues, mentors, or industry contacts. Get involved in online forums and LinkedIn groups within your field, and join professional associations. Networking can lead to informal, hidden job opportunities, support, and advice from colleagues in the industry.
Make Use of Job Search Facilities
Make the most of several resources during your job hunt. Good places to start are major job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or even company career pages. You may also work with recruitment agencies that will help you find relevant roles. Anywhere you might meet new people and get tipped off to potential new job leads is an opportunity, such as attending workshops and job fairs.
Legal Rights
If you think you were terminated unfairly, knowing your rights is important. Consult with the best wrongful termination lawyer in Los Angeles if needed. Employment attorneys can step in and give you advice on next steps to protect your own rights.
Focusing on the future after wrongful termination can be intimidating, but it is an experience that can be survived and overcome with the right strategies. Reflect on your career goals. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Write captivating cover letters. Prepare for interviews with top-selling techniques. Network your way into your next job and check job boards consistently.
By utilizing these tips, a setback can be a setup for a comeback.
