Hooray, I got fired!

Being laid off by your employer is a shock for most people. Even if it's not unexpected or even a relief, most people initially fall into an emotional slump. How do you overcome this crisis? And how do you use this involuntary change as a springboard for your personal success story?

Hardly a week goes by without another company announcing a job reduction program. According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025, 92 million jobs worldwide will be lost by 2030 – while 170 million new ones are expected to be created, resulting in a net gain of 78 million. The main drivers are digitalization and artificial intelligence, changing job requirements, and economic pressure in many sectors.

Since a recent EY study indicates that 15% of German employees are dissatisfied with their jobs and more than a quarter are merely going through the motions, yet many struggle to actually change employers, a dismissal or termination can be a welcome trigger to finally tackle that long-overdue career change. In many companies, waves of layoffs are also accompanied by intense pressure on revenue or costs, frequent changes in strategy, and consequently, a negative atmosphere – in such situations, being on the "list of those being laid off" and not having to stay can even be a relief.

Overcome the emotional low

Despite the joy over a potentially larger severance payment, the involuntary separation from the often long-term employer is a great emotional burden for most of those affected – even if they often do not admit it to those around them.

From saying goodbye to cherished colleagues to the sudden lack of structure and self-efficacy, to self-doubt and great uncertainty: The temporary loss of one's professional home and sometimes also of professional identity can plunge even the once most successful managers and experts into a deep crisis.

After their last day at work, many people experience a sudden slump – both emotional and practical: The calendar, which was usually packed with meetings, is suddenly empty. The inbox is filled with nothing but advertising emails. Where you used to be stressed by the constant demands of others, you now feel completely unimportant. And even if you often longed for the simple pleasure of being "free," without obligations, it now feels strange.

Many only realize at this moment how much it meant to them to be "needed" in their job.

Now it's important to consciously fill the resulting void. The emphasis is on CONSCIOUSLY . Because, of course, it will fill itself – but perhaps what forces its way in uncontrollably isn't good for you.

Without conscious control, two unhealthy patterns can emerge:

• Lethargy: You lose all motivation, can barely get out of bed in the morning, have no desire to do anything, hardly go out anymore, don't meet anyone and spiral deeper and deeper into a frustration spiral.

• Frantic Activity: No sooner do you have your termination notice in hand than you're already contacting headhunters. You allow yourself even fewer breaks than before and are busy from morning till night with applications, networking, and professional development. At night, lying in bed, your thoughts revolve around potential new employers and application tips.

Both patterns contain valuable behaviors – but they will only help you if you use them consciously and in moderation.

Don't rush into anything now

The most important thing is: Use this (usually financially secure) break to truly clarify which next career step aligns with your strengths, personality, potential, and current life situation. Far too many people stumble directly into the next, very similar job, where they find just as little happiness as before. Or, driven by external expectations or misguided ambitions, they search for a job that isn't truly good for them (and which might not even exist).

My personal advice: Don't be too proud to seek support during this challenging phase. Initially, your immediate circle can play a crucial role – as an emotional refuge, but also as a sounding board for the next steps. However, this is often insufficient; professional guidance through the career transition phase is then essential. In many cases, employers offer a budget for outplacement counseling as part of the severance package. All too often, those affected don't take advantage of this benefit because they underestimate how much professional support helps them emerge stronger from this phase.

Once the emotional low point is overcome, many are grateful for the financially secure opportunity to focus intensively on themselves, develop an inspiring personal vision for the future, and take concrete steps toward a better professional future. And this can certainly lead in a completely new direction – involving the acquisition of new skills or new ways of utilizing their strengths. For some, it fulfills a long-held dream of becoming self-employed. For others, it's a chance to finally learn something new again.

Four phases from farewell to new beginning

People typically go through four phases during this time. Here's how to make the most of them:

1. Phase 1 – Farewell and Reflection:

   Ensure a positive conclusion to your last job. Say goodbye gracefully and then take time to gain perspective and develop new routines for the transition. This is also a time for constructive reflection: What have you learned in recent years that will help you in the future? Which strengths were you able to successfully utilize? Which professional environments and situations were beneficial to you?

   
   

2. Phase 2 – Reorientation:

   Once the initial grieving phase is over, it's time to look ahead. If you could conjure up your dream job out of thin air – what would it look like? What motivates and values define you? What kind of job suits your personality?

   
   

3. Phase 3 – Seize Opportunities:

   Once you have clarified your goals, you can take concrete steps: optimize your resume, ensure that recruiters can find you on LinkedIn and XING, activate your network, prepare specifically for job interviews – or embark on self-employment.

   
   

4. Phase 4 – Restart:

   The new contract is signed, or your own company has been founded. Now it's about making the start in your new role a success. Usually, this initially means: learning, learning, learning, adapting to new people, and understanding the new success factors. And, of course, celebrating this new opportunity for your professional life!

   
   

Even though it's difficult: Consider being kicked out of the rat race a gift. Because while you're running in it, you often lack the time – and also the openness – to really think fundamentally about your professional future and to forge new paths. Use this gift!

Where Restart Career supports

Restart Career guides those affected through precisely these four phases: with a strengths-based approach from positive psychology, professional assessment and reflection, the development of a clear vision for the future, and concrete support until the right next step is taken – whether employment or self-employment. In this way, a dismissal doesn't become a downfall, but rather a consciously planned new beginning. Often, the employer covers the costs as part of the severance package.