You Got Fired. Now What? Your Step-by-Step Comeback Guide

Mar 31

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog post, chances are you just got fired. Maybe your boss delivered the news with corporate finesse, saying something like, “After a review, we’ve decided to move in a different direction.” Or maybe they skipped the sugarcoating and went straight for, “Your employment is terminated, effective immediately.” If they were feeling generous, maybe you got the sympathetic version: “Unfortunately, we have to part ways.”

I’ve been fired, let go, or demoted a few times myself. Enough to consider myself a bit of an expert (not exactly a title I brag about, but hey, life experience counts). And here’s the thing: more often than not, getting fired is completely out of your control.

The first time I got fired, I was a senior in college, and they broke the news via email. Classy, right? The second time, I was 24, and that one hit the hardest. By the third time, I was handed a separation agreement before I could even put in my two weeks’ notice. And as a social media manager, I’ve had clients come and go; it’s just part of the gig.

So trust me when I say, I’ve been in your shoes. And the absolute last thing I wanted to hear each time was, “It’s a blessing in disguise.”

However, the news was delivered to you, being fired sucks. Point blank. But lucky for you, I’m here to walk you through what to do next because even if it doesn’t feel like it now, this might just be your comeback story.

Step 1: Process & Reflect

Feel your feelings, but give them a time limit.

What do I mean by that? The second time I got fired (the one that hit the hardest), I was depressed for months. If I’m being honest, I was probably down for the entire year. I beat myself up and spiraled, replaying every scenario in my head like I was trying to solve a mystery I’d never crack.

You’re going to go through an emotional whirlwind. At first, you might feel shocked, especially if you didn’t see it coming.

You’ll feel shocked, angry, sad, maybe even relieved. All of it is valid. Let yourself feel it, but don’t unpack and live there, which brings me to step two.

Step 2: Take a week off from the world to reflect

This might be a hot take, and I know it is because every “what to do after getting fired” article tells you to immediately get your finances in check and start updating your resume. We’ll get to that in step 3, but first, you need to disconnect from the world and give yourself space to breathe.

Take. A. Week. Off.

You can’t properly process what just happened if you immediately throw yourself into panic mode. Give yourself the gift of time to reset. And no, this doesn’t mean lying in bed for seven days straight (but honestly no judgment if that is what you do). Here’s how to make the most of your week:

Manifest your dream life: Act like you already have your dream job. Wake up when you want, take yourself out to lunch, and do things that make you feel alive.
Rot a little: Give yourself a day, maybe two (but no more than that), to fully rot in bed. Binge-watch shows, eat snacks, and let yourself wallow if you need to. Just make sure to get at least 30 minutes of sunlight each day.
Journal it out: Writing is one of the best ways to process your emotions. Get it all out on paper. The good, the bad, and the “I want to set my office building on fire” thoughts. Again, this is a judgement free zone. If journaling isn't something you usually do, or you find yourself getting stuck, here are some prompts to help you reflect:
If you were fired from a corporate job, is a 9-5 really what you want?
What parts of your old job drained you the most? What parts energized you?
If money weren’t a factor, what would you want to do next?
For freelancers: Was this client truly aligned with the type of work you want to be doing?
Were there red flags you ignored when you first started working with that client/corporation?
What kind of clients or projects would light you up instead of burn you out?
How can you set better boundaries or policies to protect yourself moving forward?

The goal of this week is to give yourself space to feel, reflect, and start dreaming again. You can tackle the logistics in step 3, but for now, just let yourself be.

Step 3: Get Your Finances in Order

Alright, now that you gave yourself a week off, it's time to get your finances in check. I know, it's a scary topic, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, it shouldn't be. And it's time, as women, that we talk about it more. When I got fired, I had zero emergency fund and a mountain of debt. Maybe you're in the same spot, or maybe you're not. If that's the case, PLEASE give yourself a pat on the back because that's a huge accomplishment. But, if you are in the same shoes I was, here is a breakdown of what to do next.

Step 3A: Know your rights Pay attention to how your employer phrased your termination, and make sure you know if you’re in an at-will state. Why? Because it affects your eligibility for unemployment. In an at-will state, employers can let you go for any reason, but if they claim "cause" (like performance issues), it could impact your benefits. On the flip side, if the reason is more general, like restructuring, you may have a better shot at unemployment. Knowing this can help you navigate your next steps.
Step 3B: File for unemployment (if applicable) Check if you qualify for unemployment benefits based on the reason for your termination and your state’s regulations.
Step 3C: Review your budget aka the advice you see in all these articles. Take a good, hard look at your expenses and cut back on anything unnecessary. Trust me, now’s not the time for impulse buys, no matter how cute that new bag is. Set up a plan for how you'll stretch your funds until you’re back on your feet.
Step 3D: Check severance & benefits Make sure you understand what severance (if any) you’re getting, and review any benefits you may be entitled to, like health insurance or stock options. This could give you a bit more cushion while you look for your next opportunity.

Step 4: Update Your Resume/Portfolio & LinkedIn

Okay, now for the step everyone dreads. Unless you’re one of the rare unicorns who actually keeps your resume and portfolio updated while working. But if you’re a normal person (kidding), chances are you need to cue up Taylor Swift's Reputation album and dedicate a day to updating your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile. And hey, if you need help getting that resume just right, be sure to reach out to my friend Olivia at The Resume Fox. Olivia is THE best at helping you revamp your resume. She also specializes in job search strategy, interview preparation, cover letter creation, and LinkedIn Optimization, which is the perfect segue into step 5.

Step 5: Network, Network, Network

As you start to update your LinkedIn profile, reach out to old coworkers, bosses, and even former college professors or classmates to let them know you're exploring new opportunities. This is also a great time to set up informational interviews. Maybe during your week of reflection, you realized you want to switch career paths, which yes, can be scary, but also really exciting. Setting up informational interviews with people at companies or in roles you're considering can help get your foot in the door. And lastly, if after your week off you realize you want to turn your side gig into a full-time thing, reaching out to your network could help you land a few clients or connect you with the right people.

Step 6: Clean Up Your Narrative

Something I wish someone had told me when I started putting myself out there again, before heading into those first few interviews, was to make sure I cleaned up my narrative around being fired. Getting fired doesn’t look great, especially when the person you’re interviewing with doesn’t know why and honestly doesn’t care to hear your life story. So before your next interview, decide how you’ll explain the firing to potential employers.

The narrative I personally landed on framed it as a learning experience because that’s what it should be. Getting fired doesn’t mean the end of the world or that you’re a bad employee. Maybe during your self-reflection, you identified some of your weaknesses. To me, that’s still a win because you can take that insight with you into your next job interview. Here are a few examples I love:

"It wasn't the right fit."
"It helped me realize where I thrive."
"I learned valuable lessons that I’m excited to carry into my next role."
"It helped me understand what I need to grow professionally."
"I realized the importance of aligning my strengths with my career goals."
"It taught me how to navigate challenges and become a better team member."

Step 7: Launch Your Comeback

Just like getting over a bad breakup, healing after a setback takes time. But trust me, you will come out stronger. The best advice I can give for stepping into your comeback era is to set clear, actionable goals.

Start with your job search. Decide how many jobs you’ll apply for each day or week, and set a target for how many informational interviews you’ll schedule. These conversations can open doors, spark new ideas, and help you refine your path forward.

Think about growth, too. Is there a skill you’ve been wanting to master? Maybe you’ve been eyeing a Google SEO certification or a Facebook Ads course. Set a timeline to complete that course or earn that certificate. Adding new skills to your toolbox not only boosts your resume but also your confidence.

And finally, don’t underestimate the power of mindset. I’m a big believer in manifestation, so visualize your success, stay open to new opportunities, and trust that the right door will open at the right time. Your comeback story is already unfolding. You just have to keep turning the pages.

Cue the ultimate hype song