Eight experts offer advice on what to do when you’re let go

By Annette Richmond

Even in a good economy, people lose their jobs. Sometimes it comes out of the blue; sometimes you can see the writing on the walls. Whatever the circumstances it’s always demoralizing.

For this reason, I reached out to several experts with the hope of providing a few tips on what to do when you’re let go. What I got back was a ton of great advice. Everyone’s take was a little different. And I didn’t want to leave anything out.

Hence the one-off article became a four-part series covering the broad topic of “what to do when you’re let go.” In part one, our eight experts answered my first question, “What are the first three things you should do when you are laid off or fired?” Part two consisted of their responses to my second question, “What is the biggest mistake people make when they’re let go?“

In Part three they advise how to answer the question, “Why did you leave your last position?” when you are fired or the only one laid off. Here’s what they had to say.

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Related Resources

Examining gender differences in communication

By Annette Richmond

Most of us don’t think a lot about communication. After all, we’ve been communicating since we were kids. As babies we learned about the world by listening. And we quickly learned to get what we wanted by crying.

We’ve been communicating as long as we can remember. It comes naturally.

Right?

Wrong.

Being an effective communicator doesn’t come naturally to most people. Too many things get in the way.

Some of the biggest obstacles to effective communication are cultural differences. In the United States, for example, we are taught to look people in the eye when speaking to them. It indicates interest and demonstrates confidence. However, in Japan direct eye contact can be considered rude.

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What to do when they ask for your references

By Anne Marie Cross

The employment meeting went extremely well. The interviewer was impressed with your abilities; you answered the questions superbly; and you were able to develop an excellent rapport with the interviewer and other staff at the company.

So, now just the reference checking process, BUT, unfortunately you did not make it to the following stage. Why not? Everything went so well. What possibly could have gone wrong?

How often do I hear similar comments from candidates who are at an absolute loss as to why after such great interviews, their applications have been denied.

Have you ever thought that perhaps your reference may be letting you down?

The general procedure a candidate follows in locating and providing references to support their application is either to:

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Carole Martin is a coach with over 18 years in Human Resources Management. She is an acknowledged expert in the use of behavioral interviewing techniques.

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Style expert Bridgette Raes is the author of Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want and the president of the NYC based style consulting company for women, Bridgette Raes Style Group.

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Annemarie Cross is a multi-award winning, triple certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Management Specialist, Speaker, and Author of 10 key steps to Ace that Interview!

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Annette Richmond, MA, is founder and editor of career-intelligence.com and The Career Intelligencer. She is author of several publications, ebooks and interactive workbooks on career management.

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