How to ask for your job back after being fired? You need to show that you’ve improved and that the earlier causes for your firing have been addressed to recover your job after being fired. While it could be challenging to get your job back, you’re better positioned to get it back by showing that you’ve addressed to the issues why you lost it in the first place.
How to ask for your job back after being fired
To regain a former position, you want to approach the situation tactfully and professionally. Follow the steps below to ask for your job back after being fired:
1. Consider the reason for your job loss
Many things could have led to the event, each with its unique challenge in getting the job back. Consider the following depending on why you lost your previous job.
a. Quitting
While quitting is different from being let go, the way you left the job could be concerning if you’re attempting to regain your previous job. It’s easiest to regain a job if your left amicably, as your former employer might be open to reconsider you for the job role.
If you left on negative terms, like having said disparaging things about your former job or co-employees, or not providing enough notice, you need to show the company that you can reintegrate yourself effectively into the company.
b. Layoffs
The ideal case when seeking to regain a lost job is when the company is compelled to lay off staff. You might be better positioned to regain your job if temporary financial challenges made the company cut some jobs that they’re now bringing back.
Read also: don’t hurt someone, they can have you fired!
You can pitch yourself as the right person for the job since you won’t need any more training based on your previous experience, if your former performance on the job was strong before the layoff.
c. Unfit for the job role
Sometimes, companies fire employees because they don’t fit well with their culture or internal working structure, despite if they showed an acceptable performance. If you were let go because they didn’t think fit into the company’s culture, you might be able to regain your job if you show you’ve improved and now better understand how to fit into the company’s culture.
An employer can fire you for being a slow emailer or showing inappropriate behaviour but they cannot fire you dud to your hender, age, race, religion, natural origin, or disability status—Polaris Law Group, LLC. You can’t also be fired for:
- making a workers’ compensation claim;
- requesting family leave;
- requesting medical leave;
- pregnancy; or
- making complaints about your workplace experience
d. Performance concerns
It’s not an ideal case when you’re working to regain that job if you were let go from a job because you failed to meet performance standards, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goal. If you’ve changed certain underlying causes since you left the job, or you took a similar job where you developed the necessary skills to succeed on the job, that could raise your opportunities of getting your former job back.
e. Inappropriate behavior
If the reasons for the termination are unrelated to your work performance, you have to show your previous employer that the issues that led to the firing are no longer in your life. You have the best chances of being rehired by showing the employer that you’re reliable. And if you have been wrongly accused, you could always legally reclaim your job.
2. Take an honest self review
Assess your previous time in the organization honestly to identify what you need to change to get your job back after being fired. Note the reasons provided for your termination and identify any underlying causes responsible for those reasons.
3. Prove that you’ve addressed the problems
Whatever the reason for your termination, you need to show that you’ve corrected the problems if you want to regain your previous job. Having solid examples that you can pinpoint is the best means of showing you’ve made the necessary improvements to regain your job. If your job was terminated due to a workplace incident, you could say you took some anger management classes, for instance, or show that you’ve developed new skills from receiving a new certification.
Even if addressing these challenges doesn’t lead to your recovering the job, it’s useful professional development that can assist you with potential job applications.
4. Review company’s rehiring policy
Understanding any policy at the organization concerning rehiring practices is helpful. If your previous employer has a human resources department, that’s the best place to contact.
Your previous employer may completely exclude rehiring former staff, or have conditions they need to meet. Knowing the policy can ensure that your application to regain your job aligns with the organization’s rehiring rules.
5. Ask about rehiring
After you’ve checked the company’s policy and prepared the necessary skills and behavioral changes, it’s time to apply for your job back. If you submitted application for an open job listing, you want to note the changes you’ve made either in your cover letter or speak with a previous manager if the organization accepts calls or emails.
If your previous job isn’t currently being listed, your best option is to speak directly with the organization, asking them if they can rehire you. Be professional in your first communication with them, telling the company that you understand the underlying reasons for the termination on your previous job and are now ready to display improvements, making you better suited for the job.
6. Remain professional upon a refusal
It’s unlikely that your previous employer has forgotten why they fired you. Therefore, ignoring the situation won’t take it away. Instead, say that you understand why they fired you in the first place, then inform them of the work you did to change the underlying reasons for your being fired.
Submitting an application for a job with your previous organization sets you at a disadvantage, but owning up to your past errors and directly addressing them shows you’ve improved and would be a better fit for the job. You also want to prepare to answer questions about the termination to show that you’ve improved on the reasons for the termination.
7. Give your best if hired back
If your past employer decides to give you a second chance after they fired you, they will monitor you closely to see if you have improved. Note closely the reasons that led to the termination and ensure you give them no reason to worry that you’re returning to the same things that led to your first termination on the job.
However, the fact that you’ll be under scrutiny also gives you additional opportunity. If you excel on your second chance with your previous employer, they will likely not overlook your good work. Concentrating on justifying their choice to rehire you can also put in you place for better future opportunities.
8. Stay professional if not hired
If you’re applying to regain your job after you were fired, you’re starting from a disadvantaged place, so prepare for the possibility that your former employer doesn’t rehire you.
If your former employer chooses not to rehire you, accept the unfortunate news respectfully and professionally.
Conclusion
You create a better impression with your previous employer by making changes regarding your previous issues with the organization and showing that you’ve improved. This will be helpful either when the organization puts out a new opening or if you apply for a job in a different organization and need your previous employer as a reference. It’s always important that your previous employers think of you as positively as possible.
