Being fired shortly after finding a job is an experience that happens to many people. Surprise, helplessness in the face of this situation and, above all, having to find a new job can have a very strong psychological impact on the person.
Written and verified by the psychologist GetPersonalGrowth.
Last update: 15 November 2021
"They fired me. Not even fifteen days have passed since they hired me and, suddenly, without understanding the reason, they communicated this decision to me ”. Getting fired shortly after finding a job is a situation that occurs more often than we think. Beyond the legal aspects of the termination of the employment contract, we often do not take into consideration an important element: the psychological cost of this decision.
We all know that our life is marked by beginnings and ends that often concern the world of work, or experiences that condition us for better or for worse. We devote much of our time to work, which contributes to our personal growth and development. Sometimes, however, this aspect of our life comes to a halt.
Being fired is not just an emotional and personal shock, often the problems we face go beyond the economic aspect. Our self-esteem is affected and our self-concept changes. On top of that, our sense of competition diminishes. These feelings can sometimes be more intense and destabilizing when the dismissal occurs during the probationary period or a few weeks after signing the contract.
After this unexpected interruption, the person must understand and assimilate some aspects. It may happen that our services do not meet the needs of that specific job position, but in other cases, more complex realities may arise, such as disagreements between colleagues or even a sudden lack of interest on the part of the employer in maintaining the collaboration. Whatever the cause, it is a blow to the worker.
Being fired during the probationary period ... Is it my fault?
If you are fired, it is natural to feel frustrated and discouraged. However, you have to regain your pride and start sending your resume to other companies the next day, without wasting time. We must turn the page and concentrate on finding another job, better if possible.
Said this sounds easy, but in reality it is not. Nobody reacts that fast. Under these circumstances it is normal to feel anger and disappointment for weeks and it is almost impossible to immediately find the strength to start over. Moreover, everything is more complex when the dismissal takes place during the probationary period.
Looking for a "why"
Typically, every new hire starts working with enthusiasm and motivation. The economy, the labor market and macrostructures do not make it easy to find a job. On average, it takes three to six months.
Consequently, when we find a job, we are overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, anxiety and the desire that the job can be stable and lasting. Being fired during the probationary period creates embarrassment and dismay at first. Typically, the person wants to know the reasons for the dismissal. These can be:
- His abilities do not reflect the characteristics required by the position.
- It is not considered competent enough.
- The person has not received adequate pre-job training. She has not been properly trained, she has not been told what to expect, nor has she been shown how to perform certain tasks. All this leads to mistakes during the trial period.
- Disagreements and difficulties in adapting to a complex work environment.
- There is another very common reality: the company may decide that that job position is not necessary. If you are fired shortly after being hired, one of the causes could be poor management by the company, which decides that you can terminate an employment contract even before you are actually hired.
Being fired shortly after finding a job: what to do?
Losing a job isn't easy to manage. And it is even less so when the dismissal occurs a few days after hiring. All projects suddenly fail. We find ourselves without economic income and forced to find a new job. A search that can last several months. In such a situation, some guidelines should be followed.
Ways to deal with an unexpected layoff shortly after signing an employment contract
The first step is to understand the reason for the dismissal. It is good to know where we went wrong and if it is our responsibility. If it is due to external factors, it is better to accept what happened.
If we don't move on, we will increase our suffering and feel like victims. It will also decrease our self-esteem and change the image we have of ourselves.
- Let's take a week off. It will take a few days to manage, assimilate and express emotions such as anger and sadness. Resting your body and mind can be of great help.
- We recommend that you talk to friends and family about it. Finding support, feeling understood, and being comforted will surely give you relief.
- Recover and strengthen your self-esteem. Try to remember the achievements you have achieved in the past or the achievements you are proud of. A layoff is a specific incident and even if it is an unpleasant experience, you are worth a lot more.
- You need to be proactive. If you get fired, the last thing to do is stand still, complain and be obsessed with what happened. The ideal is to look for a new job, possibly different, and probe your network of acquaintances. Try to find other types of work and, in some way, reinvent yourself.
Getting fired during your probationary period can be confusing and bewildering. However, it occurs more often than we think.
These episodes highlight the importance of aspects such as the preventive training of the worker by the company or to make a better selection so that the skills sought meet the real business needs. It is certainly an experience that causes suffering, but it also helps to grow.
