There will be many firsts in your career – your first job application, your first job, first office rumors and also the first termination. Many people have experienced termination on their lifetime and most of the time people resign before they get terminated.

If you are one of the unlucky persons who has been terminated, do not be disheartened. No one is perfect and there will be times that you can commit a mistake or mistakes that will solicit termination. The only time the said termination will become a terrible thing is when you learn nothing from the event.

Termination Happens

Before you punish yourself because of the recent termination, know this: termination could happen to anyone. There will be a time in your career that you will be terminated and more often than not, it is not a big thing on large companies.

Companies terminate a lot of people every year and if you happen to be one of is casualties, you just have to accept the fact that companies do this to ensure its survival. There are even companies who necessarily cut off 10% of the least performing employees as a way of surviving and being at par with the industry.

A Wake Up Call

While accepting the fact that you have been terminated, this should also be a powerful reminder for you. Working to improve your career is not a walk in the park. You have to be aggressive, persistent and work harder than most people if you want to excel in a specific industry.

This might also be the time to rethink your career in a specific industry. Re-evaluate your skills and interests as the current industry might not be aligned to your preferences. Give yourself enough time to consider the industry of your choice to have a better chance of career improvement.

Backlash and Justification

One of the worst fears related to termination is the fact that the record of termination is seen as something bad by most companies. Getting terminated means you have done something wrong so companies are hesitant to hire because you might commit the same mistake.

When you are interviewed for a new job after termination, expect that you will be asked regarding termination. Be prepared to have the right and truthful answer. Lying about it or pointing fingers on the reason for termination will just do more damage as the real reason will be eventually uncovered. Tell them head-on why you were terminated and assure them that you are ready for new challenges.

Rebounding

It is not the end of the world if you get terminated. Give yourself sometime to recuperate from the experience but do not stay unemployed for at least three months. After a month or two of trying to get over the trauma of termination, get into the job market as soon as possible. Staying out of work for more than six months will place a gap on your resume which will make it harder for you to find another job.