So the hardest and most immediate challenge of getting fired is controlling your emotions. You're going to feel anger, fear, panic, maybe embarrassment over and over. I can't tell you not to have those emotions. Everyone does. But you can't act on them. All you can do is say "I'm sorry it didn't work out." More tips:
- Don't ask for your job back - once the decision has been made it isn't going to be reversed. If you're being laid off because of a downsizing, management has already considered who being fired and who is staying. If you're being let go because of a performance problem, the time to prove yourself is during the performance improvement plan period. If you're being fired unexpectedly for a performance issue, you might try asking for an improvement plan, but don't get your hopes up.
- Never burn bridges - Life is just too complicated and the weirdest things happen. That boss who has to let you go in a downsizing may end being your boss again when she is fired and moves to a new company in the future. You want her to remember you left with dignity.
- Resist the urge to retaliate - Yes, you will hatch elegant schemes to delete important computer files, warn customers of what jerks you work for, or 'misplace' documents. Bad idea. Well, actually, it is fun to think about sabotage, but don't act on it. You're in an emotional state and what looks to you like an untraceable, perfect crime is going to end up blatantly obvious. And it's wrong.
