There are several reasons for which someone can be fired from a job. For most people, they would never consider going back to the same company they were terminated from. However, for those that do wish to reapply for a job they were fired from, a few things should be considered.
Can you reapply for a job you got fired from? It isn’t unheard of for someone to reapply for a job from which they were previously fired. Whether you’ll be considered for your old job heavily depends on the reason for your termination. In most cases, if you didn’t do something that was illegal or breached trust, an employer would consider rehiring you.
So, while this simple answer might give you some information on the topic, you’ll want to do a little more research before reapplying. In this article, you’ll find out what exactly should be considered before reapplying to a job you were fired from and better understand your chances of being rehired.
How to Ask for Your Job Back After Being Fired
Asking for your job back after getting fired is not that simple. You probably haven’t done it before, so you don’t know how to ask. Reapplying for an old job isn’t like applying for a new job. It’s a far more delicate situation, and you’ll need to handle it carefully.
Below are three ways to reapply for an old job:
- Ask for another chance through email.
- Call your old employer on the phone.
- Visit the workplace in person.
Since you have time to make sure everything is perfectly stated, responding via email is a bit easier when asking for your job back. However, trying to get your job back by phone or in-person can be a bit more stressful, since you should practice what you say before calling or showing up at the workplace.
When asking for your job back, you should remember the following tips:
- Layout your qualifications. Since you’ve been employed by the company before, they will know most of your qualifications, but it is important to make sure that you portray yourself as an asset to their company. So, let them know that you are qualified – and they may not even have to train you!
- Emphasize how you have improved. Even if the reason you were fired had nothing to do with your skills, it is a good idea to emphasize how you have improved both as a worker and a person since your termination. Be sure to address any improvements that deal directly with your reason for being fired.
- Be honest and sincere. There is a very high chance that your termination will come up during the process of asking for your job back. Be honest and sincere when discussing it. Apologize for any wrongdoing on your part, and let your potential boss know how you’ve fixed the things that led to you being fired, like transportation or childcare issues.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a trial run. Your former employer may want to hire you back but may be concerned about taking a chance on someone they have fired before. In cases like this, you can ask for a trial run to prove that you have adjusted and improved to become a better worker. They will likely be impressed by your determination.
- Be prepared to compromise. Chances are, your old position was filled when you were fired, so it may not be available anymore. Additionally, your former employer may not be willing to place you in a position with lots of responsibility after being fired. So, be prepared to compromise when it comes to your new position and pay. You may get a job, but it may not be the one you had and may not come with the same pay. However, if you work hard and well, you will be able to climb the ranks and get to your old position.
Reasons for Firing that can Affect Rehiring
There are several reasons you can get fired from a job. Some reasons could be entirely out of your control. In these cases, there’s a decent chance that your employer might consider rehiring you. However, there are some situations where the termination was because of something you did. In these situations, it’s unlikely you’ll find an employer that would consider rehiring you.
The following reasons for being fired would more than likely prevent you from being rehired:
- A severe breach of trust
- Poor performance
- Conflict issues
- Not a good fit for the job
- You quit without proper notice
A Severe Breach of Trust
One of the most common reasons for someone to be fired is because of a severe breach of trust. A breach of trust could potentially refer to several things, such as fraud, embezzlement, theft, harassment, or assault. If you were fired for any of these reasons, it’s highly unlikely that your former employer would ever consider rehiring you.
If this describes your situation, you should consider applying for a different job. Breaching trust is something that very few employers will look past. In most cases, they would rather look for a new employee than rehire you.
Poor Performance
Another reason that you might be fired from a job is because of poor performance. If this is the case, you’ll need to resolve any issues that led to your previous termination. Your employer will want to guarantee that you have fixed any problems that resulted in your firing. As a result, if you still have these issues, your employer won’t consider rehiring you.
For example, if you were fired from a job that requires customer service skills, you should consider taking a professional development class on customer service techniques. Not only will this improve your customer service skills, but it will also show your employer that you took their concerns seriously. With this new information, they might consider your application.
Conflict Issues
There are situations where people can get fired because of a conflict they had with another employee. This rarely happens because of one incident, so you most likely were involved in several conflicts if this was your reason for termination. As a result, you’ll need to prove that this won’t be an issue in the future before you get rehired.
An excellent way to show that you’re taking responsibility for your behavior is by taking conflict/anger management type of classes. By taking these classes, you can prove to your employer that you aren’t the same person you were when you were fired. You have the same skillset but without the conflict issues.
Not a Good Fit for the Job
There are situations where you might get a job only to be let go early on. This termination is usually because your employer didn’t think you had the skills, experience, or knowledge to perform the job at the level they expected. As a result, you will need to improve your work skills.
For example, if you weren’t as persuasive or assertive in a sales job, you will need to improve as a speaker and overall salesman. If you can improve these skills, there’s no reason your former employer wouldn’t consider rehiring you.
You Quit Without Proper Notice
Although this isn’t termination, there’s a chance you might want to reapply for a job you previously quit. However, if you quit without giving a 2-week notice or on bad terms, you will need to show your former boss that you know you made a poor decision. This situation is an interesting one because your previous employer might feel betrayed because of your quitting.
However, if you can prove that you want to work there long-term, they might consider rehiring you.
In Conclusion
Getting rehired to a job you were previously fired from can be challenging. In some circumstances, it may be impossible. However, if you prove that you’ve changed and fixed your previous behavior, you might be able to get rehired.