Think you're getting fired? Do these 4 things immediately
Have you ever gotten fired and was completely caught of guard by it? While sometimes being fired may come off as unexpected, others may not because of the countless red flags thrown your way.
*click here for the 5 warning signs*
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch these warning signs early and won’t be caught off guard if you’re let go. If you are able to catch the red flags, here are the 4 action steps you should take before you’re fired.
1. Search for a new job (and update your resume/LinkedIn if you haven’t already)
If things around the office become weird and you suspect you may be getting the boot soon, start searching for your next job – there is no point in waiting until you’ve been let go. You should always have a backup plan, and being proactive searching for your new job will help you get that plan B,C, and D. As you are preparing for your job, take a look at your resume and LinkedIn profile to ensure they are up to date. Remember, updating your resume and LinkedIn should always be done ahead of time – you should be updating these items often. Next, set up job alerts on the job search sites so that you can be alerted when you’re dream job is open.
2. Check in on your current benefits
For some companies, once you are let go, your current benefits (medical, dental, life insurance, etc.) will expire a few days after your employment is over. If you think you are being let go, go over your health insurance, 401K plan, and any other benefits offered by your company and get well-versed in what will happen if you part ways with your company. It’s better to know this information early so that you’re not caught off guard later.
3. Find additional sources of income
In the event you’re unable to find a new job as soon as your current one ends, plan ahead and try to find additional sources of income (keep in mind, having more than one source of income is better anyway). Whether that’s doing research and starting a side hustle, or investing your time and money into stocks or options, finding that additional source of income will be crucial.
4. Network!
In addition to finding additional sources of income, searching for jobs, and looking into your current benefits, another thing you should do is start networking. Whether that’s on social media or in person, start connecting yourself with companies and people whose values you align with. By doing this and building these relationships early, you’ll be able to be more connected and can use this to your advantage as you are looking for new opportunities.
Did you like this article? For more career-related content, sign up for our free newsletter here!