How to get a job after being fired
Updated
Prepare a short, honest explanation, line up a reference who will speak well of you, and apply through people who know your work. Being fired is survivable: hiring managers want to see that you understand what happened and what you do differently now.
What to do
- Find out what's on record. Ask HR how your departure will be described to reference checks, and whether any agreement covers what you can say.
- File for unemployment anyway. In the US, benefits are for people out of work through no fault of their own, and eligibility depends on your state and the reason. File and let the state decide.
- Line up references. Ask a former manager, a peer or a client who saw your best work. Tell them which roles you're applying for.
- Write your one-line explanation. State what happened, own your part, and say what you learned. Don't claim you resigned if you didn't.
- Use your network first. A referral lets people judge your work before they hear your exit story.
- Handle it briefly in interviews. Answer when asked, then pivot to the role. If time has passed, see how to explain a gap.
What to say
When an interviewer asks why you left:
I was let go. The role had shifted toward [area], and I wasn't delivering what they needed there. Looking back, I should have asked for help sooner. Since then I've [course, project, change], and this role plays to what I do best: [strength].
Avoid
- Lying about being fired: it can surface in a reference check and cost you the offer.
- Blaming your old boss or company.
- Waiting weeks before applying because you feel ashamed.
Questions
Do I have to tell employers I was fired?
If they ask, answer honestly and briefly. You don't need to volunteer it on your resume or cover letter.
Will my old employer tell others I was fired?
It depends on company policy and local law. Ask HR what they share in reference checks, and line up your own references.
How soon can I get a job after being fired?
It depends more on your field and network than on the firing. Start reaching out in the first week, while your skills and contacts are fresh.