Getting fired from your job can be devastating. Not only does it mean you’ll no longer get paid, but you’ll also have to start over at another company. If you’ve recently lost your job, you might wonder whether or not you’ll ever find a new position.

There are several reasons why someone gets fired. Some employers terminate employees because they don’t want to pay them anymore. Others fire their workers due to poor performance. And some companies decide to let go of their employees simply because they’re too old or young. Regardless of the reason, it’s never fun to be terminated.

You should always try to look for a new job after being fired. This way, you won’t have to worry about starting over at another employer. But the question is, how long does it take to find a job after getting fired? Keep reading to know more.

After being laid off, how long does it take to locate a job?

When people are laid off, they feel like they’re out of work forever. But you don’t necessarily have to wait long to find a new job. In fact, according to CareerCast, it takes about three to six months on average to find a job after being let go.

The length of time depends on several factors, including the size and health of your local labor market, whether you’ve been laid off due to a specific event or broader trends, and what type of job you’re seeking.

If you were laid off for a company-specific reason, such as a merger or acquisition, you’d likely find a job within two to three months. When it comes to industries, those most affected by recent layoffs include hospitality, retail, construction, manufacturing, education/training, and real estate.

However, it can take up to six months to locate work if you lost your job as a result of a recession or industry-wide trend.

You can reduce this time by pivoting into an industry that’s better positioned. For example, if you’re a project manager for a tourism company, you might want to consider switching to something else, such as software development, marketing, finance, or human resources.

Methods to reduce the length of time spent looking for work

Getting fired is never easy—especially if you’ve worked hard to establish yourself within your organization. But don’t let the fact that you’ve been laid off stand in the way of landing a new job. There are ways to mitigate the damage caused by a poor performance review or a lack of promotion opportunities.

In most cases, you’re still considered “employable,” even though you no longer work for your current employer. To ensure you land a great new gig, follow these simple steps.

1. Leave on good terms

If you are laid off, it’s important to remember that your former employer may try to help you find another position. Even if the circumstances behind your termination are beyond your control—such as being let go due to restructuring or downsizing—you still want to ensure that your old boss gives you a glowing recommendation.

2. Get your story straight

What do you say when someone asks you how things went at your previous job? If you’re like most people, you might answer something like this:

“Things are good now. I am working in a different industry, doing better, making more money, and enjoying my life.”

That’s great — but it doesn’t give anyone much insight into why you left your old position. And it certainly doesn’t tell them anything about how you performed while there.

So here’s what you should do:

1. Tell the truth.

2. Give yourself credit for your accomplishments and contributions.

3. Focus on the positive aspects of your experience.

3. Be sure to prioritize self-reflection and care

The job market is tough, especially for those without experience. If you lost your job recently, there’s no reason to feel guilty about asking yourself questions like, “What am I good at?” and “Where do I want to go next?”

While it is important to update resumes, apply for jobs, and interview, it is also productive for people to take breaks and reward themselves in small, meaningful ways, such as spending time with family or friends, taking walks outdoors, or even just reading a book.

4. Collect recommendations

The best way to collect recommendations is to ask your current colleagues, friends, and family members to write something nice about you. This could include anything from writing a few sentences describing why you’d make a good employee to listing specific skills you possess. When you receive recommendations, don’t just look at the number of requests; consider reading each one carefully. Read the comments too. Some might post things like “I’m glad she finally got her dream job!” or “She’s great at organizing events.” Others might say, “This person needs to work on his communication skills.”

If you want to add a recommendation, you can do so directly on LinkedIn. Go to your profile, scroll to the bottom, and select the “Add Recommendation” option.

5. Consider a career pivot

When looking for a new job, it’s tempting to think about what you want to do — where you want to go — and how you’ll get there. But it’s important to remember that your current job isn’t the end goal. Instead, it’s just a stepping stone along the path to something else. So instead of focusing on what you don’t like about your present job, try thinking about what excites you about your future goals. What makes you excited? What are you passionate about? What sort of challenges are you interested in tackling?

By considering your long-term plans, you’ll be able to identify a better fit for your interests, skills, and personality. Then, once you’ve identified a potential employer or industry that aligns with your passions, you’ll be ready to start networking and building relationships.

6. Update your portfolio

If you are looking for a job in the creative industry, it’s important to showcase your best work. You might even consider updating your portfolio, either online or offline. If you don’t have anything up there, start creating something new. Use the opportunity to show employers what you can do and how well you can perform.

A good way to build your portfolio is to take some classes or workshops related to your career path. This could include web design, marketing, writing, or art classes. These classes can help you learn skills that will make you more employable.

7. Upgrade your technical and interpersonal abilities

While searching for jobs, it’s important to focus on building soft skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. These skills help you work well with others, manage change and deal effectively with unexpected situations. They’re also transferable across industries, making them useful skills even if you don’t end up working in those fields.

Conversely, your hard skills make you employable in specific roles. For example, to become a software developer, you’ll need to know how to code. To become a writer, you’ll need to build a portfolio of writing samples. And if you want to land a sales role, you’ll need to master the art of persuasion.

8. Network, network, network

You probably know that building relationships within your church and beyond is imperative. But what about those people outside your church walls? How do you take advantage of your networks? Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your social media connections and networking opportunities.

1. Build Relationships Through Friendships

2. Share Your Church Activities With Others

3. Use Social Media to Find New Opportunities

When graduating from college, about how long does it take to obtain employment?

The time it takes to find a job depends on several factors. These include:

1. Your level of education – What type of degree did you earn? Did you go straight into graduate school? Or did you attend a four-year university first? If you went straight into grad school, you might consider applying to jobs in less competitive fields like engineering and computer science because fewer graduates compete for those positions.

2. Where do you live? Are you willing to relocate? You might think about moving out of state or even across the country. Moving expenses could add up quickly.

3. How well have you prepared for your career? Have you taken classes related to your desired profession? And have you applied to internships and entry-level jobs?

4. Do you have a networking strategy? Networking is key to finding a job. Start building relationships now so you can start making connections once you graduate.

5. Is your resume ready? A good resume is crucial to landing a job. Make sure yours is current and tailored to each position you apply for.

6. Has your LinkedIn profile been updated? This social media site helps companies connect with potential employees. Make sure your profile includes information about your experience, skills, accomplishments, and contact info.

Key takeaway

It’s tough out there. The job market is competitive, and it seems like everyone has a friend who knows someone who can help you “get ahead.” But what if you don’t have that kind of luck? What if you were recently fired from your last job? After being laid off, how long does it take to locate a new job?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as one might think. Depending on your industry, experience level, and location, finding a new job could take anywhere from two weeks to six months. That said, there are things you can do to improve your chances of finding employment quickly.

Contact our expert resume writers today for assistance in creating a resume that will make employers sit up and notice. We also offer career advice and tips so you can put your best foot forward during the interview process. Don’t let being fired hold you back – get started on your new career today!