“Ten Minutes Into His Shift”: 40 Of The Fastest Dismissals People Have Ever Witnessed

Whether the person has worked 10 minutes or 5 years in a workplace, getting fired hurts just the same. But even if it's painful, career counselor Timothy Desmond encourages looking at it as a doorway to unexpected opportunities.

"It's often the push we need to pursue our true passions or discover hidden talents," he told us in a previous interview.

He might have a point, as the authors of the book titled The CEO Next Door have found that 91% of laid-off people eventually found a new position that is as good as or even better than the one they got let go from.

Of course, this success ultimately depends on the steps a person takes after being fired. If they mope around pitying themselves, they probably won't land themselves a better new position. However, if they take the time to breathe and practice self-care, they can return stronger than before.

“You’ll be licking your wounds, so self-care is your number one priority,” says Keva Dine, a creative industry recruiter. “It’s like when you come back from a redeye and you’re completely thrashed. Take it easy," she advised.

Try something that helps you to decompress, whether that's sleeping in, going to a museum, or catching up with a friend.

After taking some time to decompress, Desmond recommended having a short checklist for a further plan of action.

"Assess your finances, update your resume, and reach out to your network. The key is to gain positive momentum with small steps."

It's also important to stay positive when going back to job hunting, as putting pressure on oneself causes stress that can lead to job-search burnout.

"Remember, every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes,' and you only need one. Stay persistent, focus on personal growth, and view each interview as a chance to refine your professional story."

To avoid the burnout that many job seekers experience, Dine also discourages people from sending resumes left and right, hoping to increase the chances of getting a job.

“I really discourage people from hopping on LinkedIn and Indeed and to start sending their resumes everywhere,” she said. “If you don’t have a strategy on what you’re doing, it can be a black hole. You’re just wasting your time and wasting huge amounts of psychic energy. You’re going to burn yourself out.”

While consistency is key when searching for a job, taking a break is crucial to keep yourself healthy, too.

“Scrolling job boards for hours each day without purpose, putting in generic applications, taking rejections personally and beating yourself up—not only do these activities take a huge amount of time and energy that could be used in other ways, but they can actively damage you,” said Ashley Sigmon, a careers and employability officer at Gisma University of Applied Sciences.