Important Next Steps After Being Fired Because of Coronavirus

By Brittany Loeffler on May 14, 2020

Over 20 million Americans were fired because of coronavirus in just two months. It’s safe to say that we are living in unprecedented times and are all trying our best to manage it. Losing your job is scary enough as it is, much more so during a global pandemic. However, you may want to use these unfortunate circumstances as a blessing.

Take this free time that has been set upon you and take a look at your life and your career. Are there things you could improve? Was your life heading in the direction you wanted? Here are your next career steps after being fired because of coronavirus.

fired because of coronavirus

via Unsplash

File for Unemployment

Immediately following being fired, you should file for unemployment. Since there are so many people filing for unemployment right now, the process will be slow and maybe even excruciating. Try to remain patient.

Before sitting down to file, you should make sure that you have all the necessary information. This includes:

  • Social Security Number
  • Contact Information
  • Bank Information
  • Employer Information

There are many programs out there right now that are offering financial help to those in need. Make sure you do your research and see if you qualify for any.

Review Your Expenses

Now that your salary has been cut, it’s time to cut out some unnecessary expenses. While rent and utilities are necessary, you should notify your landlord and utility companies that you have been fired because of coronavirus. Many companies are canceling late payments and such for those who are struggling right now.

Next, take a look at what you’re paying for each month. Maybe it’s time to choose between Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime? Or instead of ordering take out four times a week, cut it down to once or twice and cook at home instead.

Remember, these budget cuts are only temporary until you start working again.

Improve Your Resume

Don’t let this time at home go to waste! You know that when it comes time to apply to jobs again, the competition is going to be fierce. So, get ahead of the competition by taking online courses and getting certified in certain programs and activities right from your couch.

There are so many websites such as LinkedIn Learning, Lynda, Coursera, and UDemy that offer affordable online courses so you can boost up your resume.

Meet the Demand

There’s no question that our economy is going to be changed forever after this pandemic. There will be more demand for certain jobs and new jobs will surely be created. There are many companies, like Amazon and InstaCart, who are hiring even more people to meet demands. If you’re available to work right now, then you can always consider taking one of these current positions.

If you’re financially stable for the next few months, you may consider staying home and planning for when you do go back into the workforce. Research trends in the economy and careers that will be needed once we go back to some kind of normal life and prepare for them.

Consider a Pivot

Not everyone was happily working in the position they had. Take this time to consider where your career was headed before you were fired because of coronavirus. Was it putting you closer to your dream job? Were you happy in your position? If your answer is no, then it may be time to pivot your career.

By taking online courses, researching different career options, and networking with people online, you can prepare to change careers after this pandemic and have a fresh start.

Take Care of Yourself

We are all going through a hard time being isolated, living in uncertainty, and trying to stay positive. The most important thing to do right now is to take care of yourself. Try your best not to stress about the current situation, because things will get better. Take time for yourself to relax and do something that makes you happy.

Start a new hobby or get back into an old one. Call and reconnect with a friend you haven’t heard from in a while.

It’s okay to have a bad day sometimes, we all do. However, it’s important to stay positive and pick yourself up the next day.

Next Steps

If you’ve been fired because of coronavirus, you are not alone. Millions of other people are in the same situation. However, it’s up to you to take these next steps and plan for when it is time to get back into the job market. After filing for unemployment, spend some time improving your resume with online courses. Consider what types of jobs will be in high demand once restrictions are lifted. You may even realize that it’s time for a career change, which you can then plan and research!

No matter what you choose to do with this time, it’s important to stay positive and know that things will get better eventually.

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