Is it even possible to find a job when you were let go?

19 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 28,2023 at 7:13PM UTC

   Keep trying while you make your plans. Network with your connections, join professional groups to expand your network and try and gain additional certifications while you search.

2. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 2:21PM UTC

   Try to reach out to those coworkers who were supportive and see if you can use them as a reference. Also, the performance issues you were told about - - can you check into upgrading your skills or gaining others to add to your resume? Don't give up yet, reach out to anyone in your network for possible leads.

3. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

   I think it comes down to how you're explaining what happened. It might be helpful to keep it simple, saying something like there was a change in management and that the organization was no longer a good fit for you. It's the truth without blaming the old company or old manager, which would be a red flag for an interviewer. It might also be helpful to have responses for what you would differently if faced with a similar situation again--would you ask for more clarity? Is there a kind of professional development that might have been helpful had you sought it out? Getting fired is a part of professional life, the big thing for a lot of people is what you take away from these negative experiences moving forward.

4. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 6:37PM UTC

   Thank you for the suggestions. I learned a couple of things coming out of the experience and wrote it down with improvements I am/will be making. I don't want to blame the company or the manager and I'm ready to move on.

5. Sarah BordersAugust 29,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

   I’m sorry you’re in such a tough spot. Definitely don’t give up! You can prepare for the worst, but expect the best and set yourself up for success by using your network to find more opportunities.

   I may not be understanding the situation completely, but if you have a student visa that’s good for another year, are you able to stay in the US as long as you’re enrolled in school? If it’s financially feasible, that has the potential to be a win-win opportunity.

   If it’s not financially feasible, I completely understand. Wishing you the best luck and rooting for you!

6. AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 6:46PM UTC

   Thank you for the support. If I want to stay as a student, I will need to start a new program and gain a whole new visa as a student visa is granted per degree or program. At this point, I am also questioning if this is a career I want to continue pursuing so I need to figure out what I like to do before going back to school. Definitely a lot of changes haha

7. MislynAugust 30,2023 at 11:09AM UTC

   Don’t tell them exactly you were let go. Make it look like it was a downsize or something. Hiring someone that says they were let go or fired seems to be a no no these days. If your were let go for a good reason a new employer should understand that.

8. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 12:42PM UTC

   Check out this episode below from Planet Money. It focuses on two people in tech on H1-B visas who were in a similar situation. Might help to motivate/inspire you:

   https://www.npr.org/2023/06/01/1179433010/h1b-visa-tech-workers-amazon-google-layoffs

9. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 7:46PM UTC

   Interesting! I resonated with their experience. Thanks!

10. April LineAugust 30,2023 at 1:08PM UTC

    Does the job you get within two months *have to* be in your field? Could you, for example, work for Starbucks while you figure out your next move?

    If you have a year on your visa, getting *any* other job would buy you some time, right?

    Also, if you are a person of color, NAACP or ACLU might have lists of visa-friendly employers, or resources for people in your situation.

    I am so sorry you are having this difficulty. Your former manager sounds like the definition of toxicity.

    Also, i have been fired from jobs a few times and have had very little trouble getting rehired.

    Here's what i have done: say something vague and neutral if they ask you why you were fired, for example, "i was let go without warning and was not offered an explanation," if that is true. If there was a process of write-ups, say something like, "despite my best efforts to make the improvements asked of me, i was let go."

    Hiring managers were all once entry level, too, and as long as you are classy about it, meaning don't trash talk your former employer, it is not a red flag. Sometimes people just arent a fit in one place, and would be amazing elsewhere.

    Good luck!

11. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 7:43PM UTC

    Hi, thank you for the support. Unfortunately, I can only get jobs related to my major. I'm willing to and I want to get any job but it's not allowed. Without any income, I'm just using up my savings. Thank you for kind words and encouragements! It means a lot

12. Ms420August 30,2023 at 2:11PM UTC

    You don't have to tell potential employers you were fired. You can say something to the effect of it wasn't a good match and I decided to move on. Good luck. I hope you find something. There are a lot of good suggestions posted here.

13. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 7:45PM UTC

    Thank you! I will try that

14. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 10:06PM UTC

    There are tons of jobs out there, you have to simply apply to all and any that even have higher years attached to the position description when you see it. Aim for larger companies since they often have the funds for VISA processing and can support ultimately a green card when you get to that stage. Don't give up and keep going. When asked about why you left the company be honest that you had a manager whose unclear direction left you without the ability to satisfy what the expectations were. Ask about training or support in new places and let people know that you are still new but willing to work hard for a company. Good luck.

15. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 11:33PM UTC

    This comment ^^ she’s totally right. I went to college to get my degree in paralegal studies. Long story short the school I obtained it from lost it’s accreditation therefore rendering my degree worthless and leaving me with a ton of debt and no transfer credits after years. I kept applying for any paralegal position I saw though regardless of all that eventually interviewed with an attorney who thought that all of the above made me a better fit than average for the job. Only then did I find out I’d rather be anything in this world than a paralegal but either way don’t give up and let this one single job define you and the rest of your life.

16. AnonymousAugust 31,2023 at 8:07PM UTC

    Thank you for the support! It means a lot and gave me hope.

    I'm also considering changing my career path but that will have to wait. Glad it worked out well for you! I hope I can say the same in about a year from now ◡̈

17. AnonymousAugust 30,2023 at 11:15PM UTC

    Say it was a re-org or downsizing. You don't have to say you were let go.

18. AnonymousSeptember 1,2023 at 1:32AM UTC

    Check out firms like Collabera who are placement firms with IT companies and willing to sponsor VISAs. They have helped several college graduates who have secured roles here.

19. beladonna gDecember 6,2023 at 2:31PM UTC
    You can easily open the way to your dreams with special opportunities. If you have enough resources, try applying for a self sponsored visa. It offers a unique opportunity to work and live in a country without needing a sponsor. With this program, you not only have a chance to obtain citizenship, but also achieve the freedom to live and work without worrying about visa restrictions.