When someone is terminated, they usually have a long list of concerns running through their mind. Can they afford rent next month? What happens to their insurance? How can they find a new job? With so much to worry about, most people forget to think about their resume. However, as you prepare to look for new opportunities, it's important to spend some time updating your resume. And that means finding the best way to deal with your termination.
Leave Out the Loss
Your resume should be positive and showcase your assets. If you have a termination on your resume, it's like a giant neon light showcasing a weakness. It may be best for you to leave the word "terminated" off the resume.
There are two ways to do this. First, you could leave the job off your resume completely. This may not be the best method because it leaves a gap in your resume. Furthermore, if your interviewer does find out about your termination, they probably will consider your behavior deceitful.
Therefore, the best way to cope with the termination is to include the job but not to go into details about the termination. The point of your resume is to open the door to an interview. When you have an interview, you can discuss your termination and share your side of the story.
Be Honest About the Date
If your employer terminated you recently, you might have the urge to fudge the dates on your resume. Instead of putting an end date and showing you are no longer employed, you could say you're still employed there. However, this is a huge mistake. At some point, the prospective employer will find out about your termination.
When that happens, you can say goodbye to a job offer. No manager enjoys being tricked, and they won't hesitate to dismiss a highly qualified job applicant for being deceitful. You can include the end date without writing details about your termination.
Along a similar vein, you should be honest throughout the whole application process. If you get an opportunity to interview for the position, be truthful. You can be frank without painting yourself in a bad light. For instance, you may have been fired for misconduct. Use the interview as a chance to explain how you learned from your mistakes.
Differentiate Between a Layoff and Being Fired
In the eyes of a hiring manager, there's a major difference between being fired and laid off. While you don't want to mention being fired on your resume directly, it's a good idea to say you were laid off - as long as that's the truth.
To go about this, write a few sentences explaining the company's layoffs. Mention your excellent performance and your enthusiasm to bring your skills to another company.
Make it About Your Accomplishments
For a resume to impress, it needs to be about your shortcomings. Don't let your termination overshadow everything you've accomplished in your career. As you add to your resume, highlight your value as an employee.
Keep in mind that your resume isn't a chance to criticize a company or former manager. Rather than go on a rant about a company's lack of organization, discuss your productivity or accolades you received while working for them.
In some industries, it can be tough to come up with accomplishments. For ideas on what to include on your resume, reach out to former co-workers. Was there someone you worked well with? Ask them if they can remind you of your accomplishments.
Go the Extra Mile to Impress
After a termination, you really need to impress. This means taking the time to work on your resume. Although you might want to rush into the job search, spend a few hours optimizing your resume.
For starters, look at resumes from colleagues in your industry. With such a reliance on social media and websites, most individuals have resumes posted online for all to see. Compare those resumes to yours and think about what's missing. If you haven't updated your resume in a while, this is a great way to modernize it.
While you look at everything you wrote, consider whether or not you were specific enough. Did you perform any responsibilities you failed to include? Can you quantify any of your accomplishments? If you're able to assign numbers to your sales, productivity, or other duties, you make more of an impact.
Make Your Resume More Visible
Some employers might hold your termination against you. Fortunately, there's more than one job available to you. By making your resume more visible, you will find it easier to overcome the termination. Start by making sure your resume can get past applicant tracking systems. Not every employer uses one, but many rely on the systems to weed out applicants.
Applicant tracking systems scan for specific keywords in resumes. If an applicant doesn't have the right keywords, they won't move forward in the hiring process. You should optimize your resume to include the right keywords for a job listing. Before you apply for a job, read over the listing carefully and pull out a few words that seem to be emphasized. Incorporate those into your resume, and you might pass the test.
Work on Your Online Presence
Sending out your resume isn't the only way to get attention. In addition to applying for jobs, you should make sure your resume is visible. This means improving your online presence.
If you don't already have an active LinkedIn, create one and use your updated resume on it. For certain industries, having a professional website is also useful. Use your social media accounts to broadcast about your job hunt.
There's a Brighter Future
Don't let a termination keep you from feeling good about your future. If you work on your resume and apply for enough jobs, you'll find the right employer. Your termination could open up new doors for you to succeed and advance in your career field.