just got fired for the first time...

[FigmentKid]

I just got "fired" for the first time . I only graduated from college 5 months ago, and I've had this job for 2.5 months, it was my first "big break" into the business... Because of budget issues my project had to cut back which means I'm out. Everyone has been really sweet and telling me it has nothing to do with my performance, and that they'll try to help me get a new position, but it still stinks and makes me feel awful. It feels like rejection no matter what the reason was. I only have one more week here.

It's such a surprise that I might be out of work, and therefore out of money so soon... not a happy feeling. I know it's a good lesson, and it's something I had to go through sooner or later but why so soon after I just felt like I'd made it?! Ick, what a gross feeling.

Anyone have any helpful hints to stop this from getting me down?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

It sounds like you were laid off, not fired.

 

[FigmentKid]

It sounds like you were laid off, not fired.

Yeah technically, still stinks though.

 

[sajetto]

I'm so sorry. I haven't had that happen to me yet but I know that it has to be a terrible feeling

 

[Carrieannew]

Yeah technically, still stinks though.

Technically it does though. Benefits if you were there long enough to get any change if your laid off or fired. Being laid off stinks. But it is a little different than being fired.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Yeah technically, still stinks though.

Trust me, I have been there.

My first job out of college I worked there for 3 years. I came back from my honeymoon to find a message from my boss to call her. Budget cuts had caused a ton of layoffs, and since I was the only person left doing my job, I was one of them. It was really hurtful, and my coworkers were ticked for me, but I was somewhat reassured knowing it was nothing I had done.

Things will get better, I promise

 

[FigmentKid]

Thanks for the kind words! Time to start the job hunt again... eugh.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I've been there. It was my first job out of college. I took a job I wasn't particularly crazy about taking--and it was mid-level management. I managed 108 employees in 5 company stores and was a franchise liaison for 7 stores across 3 states.

The job was way too big for me, and after 11 months I was fed-up with the lack of support from the CEO, my boss. He called me on Thanksgiving (my first day off in all that time) and told me he was demoting me to single store management. I told him he'd have to fire me before I would do it...and so he did.

The long and short of it is that I had 3 job offers making equal salary within 3 weeks, and I was much happier!

 

[Lanshark]

I don't know what field you're in but my advice would be to start getting your resume out and focus on getting your next job.

In business and IT layoffs have unfortunately become commonplace.

 

[PanamaMike]

Laid off is nothing compared to being fired.

The end result may be the same, but the feeling is very different.

I do contract work, so I'm unemployed for weeks, sometimes months at a time. That is another very different feeling.

 

[grumpydawg]

Just remember to stay on good terms with your present (soon to be former) employer, as they may can help you when it comes to referrals, and even possibly working for them again when times are better!

It's just a pothole in the highway of life. Bumpy now, but it will get better.

Keep your ears up!

 

[almacdonald]

Job hunting sucks!

With that being said, good luck finding a new, (hopefully more permanent) job. On the bright side, you don't have to worry about telling your boss that you're looking for a new job when you need a reference!

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

Hope you find a new job soon!

 

[disneymom3]

Laid off is way better than fired! Never been either one, but DH has been laid off many times (IT, and yeah it is the norm) It sucks but it doesn't look bad on a resume to be laid off whereas it would look really bad to be fired after only a couple of months.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

Good luck to you.

I agree with the other poster about trying to stay on good terms with your former employer. It sounds like you are in pretty good shape in that regard.

 

[Tamarap]

Good luck finding a new job!!!

 

[decaff38]

Make sure you apply for unemployment benefit immediately. It can take up to 6 weeks for it to go through. If you get a job you just cancel it. You paid into these , take advantage when you need it. You will be on your feet in no time!!! Best of luck!!!Look on your states workforce job site. many businesses only post there not in the newspaper. It is free.

 

[vetrik]

I know how you feel, I got laid off after a year at my first job after college. It was a slow time and they laid off 15 people the day I got laid off. I still felt kind of embarrassed and ashamed. As time has gone on, I've realized there's no reason to feel that way - workers have no control over layoffs, and it is no reflection on the person laid off. It's not at all like getting fired. In my case, it was one of the best things that happened to me. I got some severence pay, and I had found a new job within 2 weeks that was better, paid more, and was a lot closer to home. I'm still at that job 2 1/2 years later. I hope this will lead to bigger and better things for you!

 

[KelNottAt]

Make sure you apply for unemployment benefit immediately. It can take up to 6 weeks for it to go through. If you get a job you just cancel it. You paid into these , take advantage when you need it. You will be on your feet in no time!!! Best of luck!!!Look on your states workforce job site. many businesses only post there not in the newspaper. It is free.

I was going to say the same thing.

IIRC, "fired" people don't get unemployment. "Laid off" people do. Go apply.

 

[LukenDC]

If you were terminated due to lack of work, you were laid off and not fired for cause. Future employers will not hold the termination against you. I'm a human resources manager and I encounter this sort of thing all the time when recruiting and hiring. It was not your fault and though your disappointment is understandable, try not to take it personally.

You should ask your employer about prospects for rehire and discuss the reference that they will provide for you. They might even have outplacement services (sometimes an extension of an EAP) that you could take advantage of to find a new job.

PM if you want to chat or have any questions.