This is a first for me, got fired from my job today

[savafan]

2 weeks away from a move back to Cincinnati, with an apartment there waiting on me and my family, and my company fires me today...for doing extra work and helping other co-workers get caught up with their work when I had all of my work completed. I know it doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense to me either, or the remaining co-workers in the office I left. They said I should have gotten a raise, not gotten fired for being a nice guy, but some were upset that I was helping one person get higher commissions and bonuses than they were, and complained about it which got me a write-up last week (giving them the opportunity to show I was fired for cause and deny me unemployment, the company hasn't paid a former employee unemployment one time in the last 67 years, I saw this coming, as I've fought unemployment claims for them myself) and fired today.

I've never been fired, never had to write that word "terminated" on an application for reason for leaving last job, and I'm struggling with how to walk into an interview and tell the recruiter with a straight face that I was let go for doing extra work and helping out my co-workers and get them to believe me.

[Joseph]

Ouch.

Been there man. There isn't a lot of advice I can give other than polish the resume right away and get to applying, especially if you aren't going to get unemployment or severance or anything.

I got fired two years ago this past April. I applied for the job I have now the next day. Now I didn't get officially hired for a couple months, but it was the first job I applied for right out of the gate.

Unless you've got a nest egg to rest on, i wouldn't spend a lot of time licking my wounds, I'd jump right back in the game as quick as you can.

[Rojo]

File for unemployment anyway.

[savafan]

Unless you've got a nest egg to rest on, i wouldn't spend a lot of time licking my wounds, I'd jump right back in the game as quick as you can.

No nest egg to rest on, but a lot of debt to motivate me.

[Reds4Life]

File for unemployment anyway.

This. The worst that can happen is you get denied.

Don't worry to much about what you have to tell a recruiter, most are professional liars. 99% of them will lie directly to your face, so that works both ways. Just tell them you were laid off.

[savafan]

Don't worry to much about what you have to tell a recruiter, most are professional liars. 99% of them will lie directly to your face, so that works both ways. Just tell them you were laid off.

This is probably true. I know I've been lied to by recruiters, and when I was recruiting for this company, I know I lied then as well.

[Redsfan320]

Only 14, so I haven't gotten my first job yet, but good luck, man. God bless!

320

[TheNext44]

Consider yourself lucky for lasting this long with getting fired. Recruiters know this, so it really won't be much of an hinderance. And the entire job hunting world is based on "embellishment," so considering you're a comedian, I'd say play it up the best you can, you might even be able to spin it to your advantage with the right story.

Best of luck!

[savafan]

And the entire job hunting world is based on "embellishment," so considering you're a comedian, I'd say play it up the best you can, you might even be able to spin it to your advantage with the right story.

That's what I've been doing all day.

[VR]

That's what I've been doing all day.

You've always struck me as a stand up guy sava, sorry to hear. How long were you employed, and in what field?

Few things I'd throw in...
Employers are only allowed to share dates of employment...not reasons for terminations, rehire status etc.
Not sure how the state unemployment is....but typically it doesn't matter if the company wants to or not.....they have to term for cause, and if not, you should be eligible for unemployment.

Wordsmith however you want, but honestly is always the best course of action. Some of the best employees I've had were 'fired' from their previous job. It happens, and I appreciate someone being honest up front.

[savafan]

I was a legal assistant in a collection law firm for 2 1/2 years, spending some of that time as the support department supervisor.

[VR]

I was a legal assistant in a collection law firm for 2 1/2 years, spending some of that time as the support department supervisor.

no wonder they fight so hard on unemployment cases


Keep your head up sava, I'm sure theres a great job out there that will appreciate someone with a great team attitude and loyalty like yours.

good luck~
vr

[Hoosier Red]

Sava,

I echo the smart advice given to you by everyone else.
Just curious though, you said you were moving to Cincinnati, were you going to be working for the same firm in Cincy?

Good luck, and keep your head up.

[Reds4Life]

Few things I'd throw in...
Employers are only allowed to share dates of employment...not reasons for terminations, rehire status etc.
Not sure how the state unemployment is....but typically it doesn't matter if the company wants to or not.....they have to term for cause, and if not, you should be eligible for unemployment.

Not to be nit-picky, but that isn't true. It might be company policy to not give anything more than dates of employment, but it's not the law. Employers can give more information if they choose to do so. There is a myth that employers can't give bad references, that is 100% incorrect. They can give you a bad reference, IF, it's factual or without malice. The issue of slander or defamation comes into play only if your former employer knowingly gives false information that prevents you from gaining future employment. If you were to sue, you'd also have to prove they knowing gave false information to a prospective employer and prove damages (that their reference cost you the position, which no hiring company is going to admit to you), and most states have held harmless laws for employers in this area in any event.

With that said, most companys don't bother, they don't feel like paying the legal bills (even though the employer would probably win 99% of the cases).

[savafan]

Sava,

I echo the smart advice given to you by everyone else.
Just curious though, you said you were moving to Cincinnati, were you going to be working for the same firm in Cincy?

Good luck, and keep your head up.

I was, yes.