Losing a job can be one of life's most stressful experiences, but experts say a strategic approach to finances, networking and career planning can help turn a setback into a new opportunity
Canned. Right sized. Or my personal favorite, streeted. More numbers. I found 55 different euphemisms for “fired” in about 30 seconds because, as they say, time is money. But not so much for me. This past St. Patrick’s Day. I was in my home office, which is kind of a tasteful cross between a typewriter museum, a baseball diamond and, well, an office. An email was waiting for me from my managing editor, asking me to give him a jingle. I had just finished a call from a colleague and partner in crime, telling me he was no longer basking in the light of full employment. After about three minutes of my editor speaking words but not really saying anything, I asked if he was trying to say I was fired? It was a fair query since he’s in the communications business and I ask a lot of questions for a living. As it turns out, he was indeed trying to show me the door. He explained this was the result of our company ( The Deal ) having been sold in late 2025 and now the purchaser S&P was in a post-transaction cost- cutting mode. As we continued talking, his voice cracked and it was obvious he was feeling emotional about his task, our conversation and my departure. This was a bit of a coincidence because I wasn’t all that enthused about my involuntary separation. I’d been at The Deal for almost 13 years and made lots of friends, contacts and developed a reputation as a diligent reporter. And now I was sacked, and I hadn’t even done anything wrong. Of course, it’s not like I’m the Lone Ranger. For instance, Michael Duffy, NorthBay biz fine technology columnist joined his whole team in being laid off. Maybe it’s something in the water.
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that more than 20 million Americans lost their jobs from 2001 to 2019. And in more than a few cases they lost much more. They lost their professional identity and they lost their self-image. They lost their homes and they lost their families. Or even their lives. Which brings us to a number that’s harder to nail down. Job loss is a reality many workers will face at some point in their lives. It can come as a straight-forward firing for failure to do their job, a layoff due to a company economic decision, a larger economic downturn or a bankruptcy. So, sooner or later, everybody packs a box, gets hugs and leaves footprints. As a public service, I’m offering a guide to getting through the heartbreaking-account-draining-confidence-shaking experience of being dismissed. You’re welcome. Stages of Dealing with a Firing Just as there are seven stages of grief, there are also seven stages of being fired. First there is shock at having lost your job, unless you are a total screw-up. You went into the office and began doing the things you get paid for, and then you find out you don’t have to do that anymore, and you aren’t getting paid. Shocking. Next there is anger. Your world has just been turned upside down and now you not only don’t have a J-O-B, you also don’t have a paycheck. Let’s be honest, that’s enough to piss off Mother Teresa. Number three on the list is questioning. While this may come on as generalized questioning, it may also include specific questions. What will I tell family and friends? What do I do
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