By Chron Contributor Updated February 09, 2021
After being fired, you need to go the extra mile to get your old job back and plead your case convincingly to be reconsidered for employment. You might have to take another job just to get back into the company and work your way up to the job you previously held. In addition to proving that you've become a better employee, remind them of your proficiency with company software and stress any newly acquired skills when going back to a company that fired you.
Consider Your Options
If you get terminated from a job, can you apply again? The answer to that question depends on company policy and the reasons for your termination. Contact the human resources department for the company you were fired from to determine if you're eligible to rehired. Confirm your dates of employment; some company policies permit terminated employees to reapply 90 days after their employment ended.
If you win a wrongful termination lawsuit, the court may order your employer to promptly reinstate you, according to Lawyers.com. For example, if you were illegally fired for refusing your supervisor's sexual advances, you may be hired back if job reinstatement after a wrongful termination is the remedy you're seeking through the courts.
Update Your Resume
Update your resume and qualifications. Add skills you've acquired since you left the company, especially if they are skills you should have had during the first time you were employed there. If you've been working since you left the company, make copies of your performance appraisals that demonstrate that the quality of your work and your attendance have improved. Obtain letters of recommendations from colleagues and supervisors, if possible.
Reach Out to Company
Once you reapply, contact former colleagues or supervisors to let them know you're interested in coming back to work for the company. Tell them you've reapplied for a position with the company. If you had a good relationship with your boss, call her to explain why you want to come back to work for her, Workplace Round Table suggests.
Admit your shortcomings that led to your termination – don't gloss over why you were fired. Take responsibility for your past performance or attendance problems. Emphasize the ways you've changed since your termination, such as how your skills improved since you left or the ways you've become a more dependable and reliable worker.
Interview Tips
During your interview, reiterate your interest in coming back to work for the company. Share your performance records from job you've held since your termination to show improvement. Explain that you understand why you were terminated and that you want an opportunity to prove that you can be a better employee.
If a significant amount of time passed since your termination, tell the interviewer that you've matured since that time. Give examples that illustrate how you've improved, such as recent attendance records. Tell the interviewer that your termination was the wake-up call you needed to improve your work ethic.
Negotiate and Compromise
If you're not making your case to be re-employed, negotiate with the recruiter. Offer to work for a trial or probationary period if the company doesn't already have such a policy. Promise that your performance and attendance will exceed the company's expectations during the probationary period and beyond. Alternatively, ask to be hired for any job with the company so you can prove yourself and eventually be promoted to a position better suited for your skill set.
FAQs
Finding a Job After Being Fired
- Don't delay in finding new employment. ...
- Prepare your resume for job searching. ...
- Reach out to your network. ...
- Ask for recommendations on LinkedIn. ...
- Decide how you'll explain your previous job loss to hiring managers. ...
- Formulate a strategy for your cover letter.
If an employer has ever fired you from a job, you may be anxious about how to land a new job after being fired. The good news is that many people have successfully landed new jobs after being fired. You can, too.
Can I get hired again if I was fired? ›
A former employee has the legal right to apply to be rehired for a new or previous job with a past employer. So your policy should provide a uniform process for determining when an employee is eligible to be rehired at your company. There may be legal considerations when rehiring.
Can I apply to a company I was fired from? ›
Yes, you can get rehired by a company that terminated you in the past. However, you must understand that the process isn't so straightforward and will require a lot of patience and effort. The reason this process is challenging is that rehiring someone that was terminated isn't a simple thing for a company to do.
What not to do after being fired? ›
10 Things Not to Say or Do If You're Fired
- Don't Storm off Without Saving Important Documents. ...
- Don't Discuss Severance Without Taking Some Time to Process. ...
- Don't Refuse to Help With the Transition. ...
- Don't Dismiss the Chance to Resign. ...
- Don't Be Afraid to Ask For a Recommendation. ...
- Don't Disparage Your Supervisor or Co-Workers.
If you've been terminated for cause, it may well come up during their investigation. Being prepared for what your former employer will tell inquiring hiring managers about the circ*mstances of your departure from the company can help you put the best possible spin on what happened.
Do jobs care if you got fired? ›
Remember, being fired is not a deal-breaker
A lot of candidates assume having been fired is a deal-breaker for a hiring manager, but this isn't necessarily the case. Knowing what to say when you get fired is going to have an impact on how the hiring manager perceives you.
Does being fired go on your record? ›
The Hard Truth: Yep, It Goes on Your Record
Most companies will at least note the fact that you were terminated, even if they're light on specifics. Oftentimes, when a new employer checks your references, all they can check is your dates of employment and whether of not you're “eligible for rehire”.
How do I start again after being fired? ›
How do you deal with getting fired? Give yourself time to grieve and practice healthy habits like exercising. In addition, reset your mindset and create a plan for how to move forward in your life and career. Once you're ready to re-enter the job search, leverage your professional network to find more opportunities.
Can a termination be reversed? ›
If you have been wrongfully terminated, you may be able to get your job back by way of legal action. If you can prove that the discharge was illegal, the court may order the employer to reinstate you, in addition to compensating you for lost wages.
Most companies are more interested in your qualifications than bad references and lost jobs. Unless you were criminally prosecuted or made a serious ethical breach, the lost job is not as bad as you think.
What makes you ineligible for rehire? ›
Employees who left the organization due to termination of employment for cause should not be eligible for rehire. This could include employees fired due to: Theft. Inappropriate behavior.
Can I say I quit if I was fired? ›
Everyone will likely know the real story about why you were let go. No matter what level you're at, you should always acknowledge your termination or resignation to recruiters and prospective employers. Still, you need not discuss the actual circ*mstances behind it.
Do I have to disclose that I was fired? ›
The short answer is, “no.” This doesn't mean that you should ever lie or attempt to deceive an employer. It simply means that unless they specifically ask why you left a job, you're under no obligation to reveal the details upfront. This is easier to handle when the termination occurred more than one or two jobs ago.
Can a company say why you were fired? ›
In many cases, if you were fired or terminated from employment, the company can say so. They can also give a reason. For example, if someone was fired for stealing or falsifying a timesheet, the company can explain why the employee was terminated.
How do I get back to work after being fired? ›
How to ask for your job back after being fired
- Consider why you lost your job. ...
- Assess your behavior. ...
- Make demonstrable changes. ...
- Check the rehiring policy. ...
- Make contact to inquire about rehiring. ...
- Justify a second chance directly. ...
- Prove them right if you're hired. ...
- Remain professional if you're not hired.
6 Top Tips for Surviving a Firing
- Grieve.
- Take a break from social media.
- Don't rush into a new job.
- Lean on your network for support.
- Rebuild your self-confidence.
- Work out and take time for yourself.
How hard is it to get a job after layoffs? Finding a new job after being laid off can be a different experience for everyone. Some might find a job right away, while others may take months to get a job. On average, it can take about two to six months to find the job that's right for you and get hired.
Can you be successful after being fired? ›
Steve Jobs went through a crisis and eventual transformation after the company he created fired him. For some, getting fired is exactly what they needed to launch into the success stories they are today. Here are 19 people who got kicked to the curb and turned their termination into an opportunity.
