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I just got fired today from a mid-sized firm. Got a month of severance pay and insurance coverage. The HR rep agreed to tell recruiters that I chose to leave the firm. I have already reached out to a few people I know and applied to about 15 openings. I feel numb. Any advice or tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Checking in.

I was fired a few days ago at my firm.

I’ve already applied to around 10-15 places too.

Your new job is to find a job. Keep applying.

Sigh

It sounds like you're handling it reasonably well if you're already putting in applications and reaching out. I know it sounds cliche, but it'll get better

rcharter1978 wrote:It sounds like you're handling it reasonably well if you're already putting in applications and reaching out. I know it sounds cliche, but it'll get better

This is the OP - thanks a lot man. I had to keep moving to numb myself. Didn't want to get into a rut and not do anything at all.

I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Anonymous User wrote:I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Definitely. Thanks for the good feels and advice. As a working attorney, is it weird to ask attorneys out for a coffee to network?

OP here. I have some interviews coming up soon - how should I contextualize why I left the firm? Should I say I wanted some time to think about what kind of work I want to do? I didn't like the work I was doing, partly in that it was formulaic and I wasn't learning much. Does that come across a bit negative?

I would actually recommend that you take some time off (a few days to a week) to really process and get into a better frame of mind rather than jumping right into job searching. It's going to likely be a long road ahead and when you start getting interviews, you will want to have a positive outlook. Being fired is like being dumped in a relationship. You'll want to cry it out, scream for a while, and rely on your support system. Then hit the job search process hard.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Definitely. Thanks for the good feels and advice. As a working attorney, is it weird to ask attorneys out for a coffee to network?

Not at all. I've been asked before to coffee by people (sometimes people I don't even personally know but who found me through friends or through mutual connections on LinkedIn), and I've always been flattered. It's definitely the best way to get your foot in the door and your resume to the top of the pile.

Guchster wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Definitely. Thanks for the good feels and advice. As a working attorney, is it weird to ask attorneys out for a coffee to network?

Not at all. I've been asked before to coffee by people (sometimes people I don't even personally know but who found me through friends or through mutual connections on LinkedIn), and I've always been flattered. It's definitely the best way to get your foot in the door and your resume to the top of the pile.

Excellent. Thanks Guchster. Time to go flatter a few.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. I have some interviews coming up soon - how should I contextualize why I left the firm? Should I say I wanted some time to think about what kind of work I want to do? I didn't like the work I was doing, partly in that it was formulaic and I wasn't learning much. Does that come across a bit negative?

I recommend scheduling an interview coach. They can help you work on your wording for that specific issue and also in general help you brush off the rust if you haven't interviewed recently. I did it recently, it was $350 for two 90-minute sessions via phone or skype. Talking with them and listening to my answers helped me with my answer to that question (was in a similar situation to you)

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. I have some interviews coming up soon - how should I contextualize why I left the firm? Should I say I wanted some time to think about what kind of work I want to do? I didn't like the work I was doing, partly in that it was formulaic and I wasn't learning much. Does that come across a bit negative?

I recommend scheduling an interview coach. They can help you work on your wording for that specific issue and also in general help you brush off the rust if you haven't interviewed recently. I did it recently, it was $350 for two 90-minute sessions via phone or skype. Talking with them and listening to my answers helped me with my answer to that question (was in a similar situation to you)

That seems a little spendy for someone out of a job. I suppose it's worth it if you're able to land a higher income job or a better job. Would OP have to commit to two sessions, or would there be a way for he/she to do like one session?

Guchster wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Definitely. Thanks for the good feels and advice. As a working attorney, is it weird to ask attorneys out for a coffee to network?

Not at all. I've been asked before to coffee by people (sometimes people I don't even personally know but who found me through friends or through mutual connections on LinkedIn), and I've always been flattered. It's definitely the best way to get your foot in the door and your resume to the top of the pile.

Agree that it's not weird... I've been to coffee with people and have been approached for coffee by lawyers as well.

Anonymous User wrote:

Guchster wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I work for a mid-sized shop and last year, we fired a junior. He landed on his feet and started at a slightly more reputable firm about a month later. I know it's a scary situation for you to be in, but don't feel that all is lost. Network, mass mail, talk to recruiters, polish that LinkedIn profile... and maybe ask for more website time, too.

Definitely. Thanks for the good feels and advice. As a working attorney, is it weird to ask attorneys out for a coffee to network?

Not at all. I've been asked before to coffee by people (sometimes people I don't even personally know but who found me through friends or through mutual connections on LinkedIn), and I've always been flattered. It's definitely the best way to get your foot in the door and your resume to the top of the pile.

Agree that it's not weird... I've been to coffee with people and have been approached for coffee by lawyers as well.

Thanks for the affirmation. I have been reaching out to a few local attorneys. Hope it pans out.