Getting Fired Checklist

waking up
Wake up. Umm… so now what?

Recently terminated from your job? Well, you’ve got work to do. It’s not office work though. You can take a break from that for a while.

You should be busy with the tasks that arise as a result of your recent..umm… “employment status change.” (A nice euphemism for getting canned right?) Below is a checklist of actions items to consider after you’ve been terminated from your job.

The “Getting Canned” Checklist

FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

Don’t be ashamed. You paid into unemployment insurance and are entitled to the benefit while you work on getting your next paying gig.

TELL YOUR STORY HERE

If you’ve recently lost your job in the latest round of tech layoffs and want to share your story, just send me an email to discuss posting your story or you can submit a summary below. You can include your job skills and links to contact you about work availability.

ROLL OVER YOUR 401k

Hopefully, you invested in your companies 401k. Investigate your best options, but you’re often better off rolling it to a brokerage retirement account where you’ll have more control over your investment options and cut back on high fees. Get a $10 credit if you sign up for M1 Finance with this link.

CONSIDER IF YOU WERE WRONGFULLY TERMINATED

Wrongful terminations do happen. If you think you might have a case against your former employer, read two guest posts from attorneys for more information here and here.

START A BLOG FOR SIDE INCOME

If things are looking less then fantastic regarding getting your next traditional job, consider other options. For many people, the decision to start freelancing and earning money independent of an employer is a pivotal moment where they took control of their lives. Even if you love working at a traditional job, it’s great to have the supplemental income you generate on your own.

TRAVEL

There’s often no better time in life to travel than the time that exists in that small the space between jobs. It’s not easy when you’re not sure about the future of your income, but I guarantee you once you’re back on that payroll, you’ll wish you did more with your time and your freedom while you had it.

BUDGET

Your income has been cut off or decreased to whatever unemployment might provide. Consider some changes.

GET IN SOME TV AND READING

What better to do than watch Office Space? Maybe do some reading to help brush up on your marketable skills.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

If your job provided health insurance, most employers are required to offer a plan to continue your insurance under laws established called COBRA. These are often more expensive than your coverage as an employee. You can also visit the government’s health insurance offerings at the health insurance marketplace.

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