vi. Shaking in your shoes.

There is really no need to have the added stress of maybe getting fired looming over you everyday. You could very well ask other employees if that have “heard anything?” What you will hear back will most likely be rumor and not fact. Hearing information from a trusted source may prove to be enlightening, but still take things with a grain of salt.

Should you find yourself worrying everyday “if this is the day?” then put an end to it and ask to speak with your direct manager. Find out who the correct person is to talk to if your direct manager is not in the position to tell you anything. Ask them point blank if there is a need for you to worry?

A proactive approach could avert your planned termination if the correct approach is followed. Passively sitting around just waiting to be called into your manager’s office is as good as handing your manager the big red “fired” stamp to stamp on your file.

C. Post

i. Ready, Set, Action!

When the axe does fall the worst thing that you can do is make a memorable scene. Actually, your objective is the opposite – to bow out quietly. You would be successful in your departure if nobody even knew you were fired. Don’t parade around the office telling everyone that you have just been fired. Rarely does this create any sympathy. It does create contempt from your fellow employees and does nothing to increase company morale.

Chances are that somewhere down the road you will run into one of your former coworkers at another school or company. If you pulled an Oscar scene in front of them at a previous employer, then there is a good likelihood that they are going straight to your potential manager to tell them about your performance. The job that you thought was all yours is now the farthest from the truth.

ii. The spinning world.

Relax. The world will not stop spinning because you were fired. Tomorrow is a new day and with it comes an opportunity to start anew. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Getting fired happens to the best of the best. In fact, some of the brightest people, and many chiefs-of-industry have been fired. Rebounding from getting fired is what builds character. It also serves as a lesson. If you learn from the lessons that you are taught in life, then a similar scenario will not repeat itself. You will be well equipped to handle the adversity should it arise and come out unscathed.

iii. Disclosure

Whether or not you want to disclose a termination on your resume is entirely up to you. If you were terminated for something that your interviewing company may value then mentioning it could be beneficial. For example, say a company fired you for not following the company course books or text. You taught from your own resources and experience.

While the stickler company may of viewed you as not being able to maintain corporate standards and not following regulations, another employer may see view you as a person with initiative and creative talent with the ability to create dynamic instruction on the fly. As the saying goes: “One man’s junk, is another man’s treasure.”

Find where you will be valued like the treasure you are, and your experiences and contributions will be remembered for a lifetime.