Being Fired the roller coaster ride...

dtwesa submitted 520 days ago

Hi All:

I just wanted to put down in a post some of my thoughts and own more emotional experiences over the last month.

For those that don't know, to make it brief on Nov 21/05 I was fired without cause and provided a severance package after 8 years with an organization.

I can say that for the 1st week it was like I didn't have any emotions, like I was shut off. Basically in a state of shock. Even though in a state of shock I did somehow find a way to actually pull myself together to look for work.

During the 1st week, actually only 3 days after being fired I had a job interview. Well, that was a total disaster. Not only was I not emotionally or mentally prepared for an interview, I really had no idea what the process was and had no interviewing skills at all.

Each day I would get up and feel, lost, useless. I had no place to go.

One thing that really didn't help was the calls and emails from former collegues and co-workers. All in shock at what had happened (being very supportive) and truly scared for their own jobs. I even had 1 call me to tell me who got my old job, not that I cared. I know these people are just trying to be "supportive" if you could call it that. But really I think the contact was just too soon. Just too much of a reminder, made me get really upset.

I don't know what came over me, but over the next few weeks it was like my head started to clear and I could actually think and make some decisions. I came to the conclusion that at this point I was my own boss, and my job was to educate myself through forums and sites such as this, to work my resumes and cover letters, to prepare for interviews and to land a position.

With the support of my husband and family I found some way to clear the fog and use my business savy and common sence to find a way through this nightmare.

One thing I can say. I will never not be prepared again. Jobs come and go. People get hired, people get laid off, people get fired. I will also have a copy of a resume up to date. I will always be watching the job market and always be looking for new opportunities. Maybe take a few classes to improve skills or learn something completely new.

I read on some sites about people that have been fired indicating it was the best thing that ever happened to them in their careers. I'm not at that point, don't know if I ever will be. Maybe down the road, but I don't know.

I did get better every day. Time can clear the fog and be a great healer.

Just wanted to share a bit of this with anyone that is interested.

Thanks