How to deal with being fired in my 2nd week at my first adult entry-level job ?
So I just got home after being fired at my new job. Today was my 8th day.
This was my first "adult" job at age 27 - I was so excited to get a job related to my college degree; I already felt kinda behind getting my first entry level job in my late 20s. I thought this job would be a really good fit.
They said it was due to my performance, that I made many multiple mistakes that my co-workers and higher-uppers needed to fix--and that compared to the other new hires, I was behind. They also said the questions I asked were on specific tasks versus the whole picture.
I'm really devastated, as I am back at square one grinding out job applications again. I feel like I was given a great opportunity and I ruined it.
Objectively, I understand I could've done a better job of taking notes from the very 1st day and making less mistakes.
Has anyone else been in the same position ? Can you offer any words of advice on how to move forward ?
Jobadvisor
Being fired, especially so early in your first "adult" job, is incredibly tough, and it's completely understandable that you're feeling devastated and like you ruined a great opportunity. Many people have been in similar positions, and it doesn't define your future career success.
Here's some advice on how to move forward:
Acknowledge and Process Your Feelings
First, allow yourself to feel the emotions. It's okay to be angry, sad, frustrated, or disappointed. Don't try to suppress these feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, write in a journal, or just allow yourself some time to process what happened. This was a significant event, and it's important to acknowledge its impact on you.
Don't Let It Define You
This experience is a setback, not a permanent label. One job, especially one you were only in for eight days, does not determine your worth or your potential. Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes, a job just isn't the right fit, regardless of effort. Many successful people have faced early career setbacks.
Reflect Objectively (When You're Ready)
You've already started doing this by acknowledging you could have taken better notes. Once the initial sting has lessened, take some time to reflect more deeply on the feedback you received.
- Performance and Mistakes: Were there specific tasks where you consistently struggled? Can you identify patterns in the types of mistakes you made?
- Asking Questions: The feedback about asking questions on specific tasks versus the whole picture is valuable. This suggests they wanted you to understand the broader context of your work. In future roles, try to understand not just what to do, but why you're doing it and how it fits into the larger company goals.
- Comparing to Other Hires: While this stings, it's also a point of information. It might indicate that their onboarding process or expectations were very fast-paced, or that there was a skill gap they identified quickly.
This isn't about blaming yourself, but about extracting lessons learned that you can apply to your next opportunity.
Reframe the Experience for Future Interviews
You do not need to volunteer this information in every interview. If you are asked about a short-term employment, you can honestly say that the role wasn't the right fit for your skills or their needs at the time, or that you learned valuable lessons about the importance of understanding the broader context of tasks and proactive learning. Keep it brief and focus on what you gained from the experience. Employers understand that not every job works out.
Focus on Your Next Steps
- Update Your Resume Strategically: Given you were only there for eight days, you likely don't need to include this job on your resume. It's so short it might raise more questions than it's worth. Focus on highlighting your degree, any internships, projects, or relevant coursework.
- Re-energize Your Job Search: Take a day or two to decompress, then get back into the job application grind. Remember your skills, your degree, and your potential.
- Refine Your Approach to Onboarding: For your next job:
- Proactive Note-Taking: Invest in a good system for notes (digital or physical) and use it diligently from day one.
- Clarifying Questions: When asking questions, try to understand the "why" and "how" things fit into the bigger picture, not just the "what." Ask for clarification on processes and expectations.
- Observe and Learn: Pay close attention to how your successful colleagues operate.
- Seek Feedback Early: Don't wait for a formal review. After completing tasks, you could ask your manager, "Is there anything I could have done differently or better on that?"
Remember Your Value
You are 27 with a college degree and a desire to learn and contribute. That's a powerful combination. This setback, as painful as it is now, can become a valuable learning experience that makes you more resilient and prepared for your next role.
You are not alone in this.
Many people stumble at the beginning of their careers. The important thing is how you choose to respond and move forward. You've got this.
What kind of roles are you looking to apply for next, and how can you leverage your degree more effectively in your applications?
I got written up for “not smilling enough.” I work in a warehouse.
A few days ago, my supervisor pulled me aside and handed me a write-up. When I asked what it was for, he said: “Your attitude. You don’t smile or seem approachable.” Mind you I’m a picker. I work 10-hour shifts moving heavy boxes in a windowless building where we’re not allowed to have earbuds, take phone calls, or speak unless it’s job-related. I barely interact with anyone. I asked if I missed a task or slowed production. He said no, but “morale matters.” So now I guess I’m supposed to beam like a Disney mascot while hauling pallets in steel-toed boots for $16 an hour? I didn’t argue. I just nodded, signed the paper, and went right back to work stone-faced. Smile for who? The boxes?
Jobadvisor
That sounds incredibly frustrating and disheartening. Being written up for "not smiling enough" in a warehouse job, especially when your role involves minimal interaction and demanding physical labor, is a truly bizarre and unfair expectation. It's clear your supervisor's focus on "morale" is misplaced, and frankly, insulting given the working conditions you've described.
Here's how you can approach this situation:
Understand the "Why" (or Lack Thereof)
Your supervisor's reasoning about "morale" is vague and subjective. In a warehouse setting, where the primary focus is efficiency and safety in handling goods, a lack of smiling generally has no bearing on job performance. This kind of write-up often points to:
- Subjective Bias: Your supervisor might have an unreasonable personal expectation for employee demeanor, or even an unconscious bias (e.g., towards women being more "approachable").
- Lack of Tangible Issues: If your performance metrics (speed, accuracy, attendance) are good, they might be grasping at straws to find something to "coach" you on.
- Poor Management: A good manager addresses concrete performance issues or finds ways to genuinely improve morale, rather than demanding forced cheerfulness.
What You Can Do
While it's easy to feel powerless, you do have some options.
- Get a Copy of the Write-Up: You mentioned signing it, but make sure you have a personal copy for your records. This is crucial documentation.
- Document Everything: Keep a detailed, private log of this incident, including the date, time, what was said by your supervisor, and your response. Note the working conditions (windowless, no earbuds, heavy lifting, minimal interaction). If anything similar happens in the future, add it to this log.
- Consider Speaking with HR (with caution):
- Pros: HR's role is to protect the company, which sometimes means addressing issues caused by poor management. If this is truly an isolated incident and your supervisor is an anomaly, HR might intervene. They may also be able to clarify company policy on employee conduct and whether "smiling" is an actual expectation.
- Cons: HR is ultimately there for the employer, not you. They might side with your supervisor or find other "reasons" to scrutinize your performance. If you choose to go to HR, be factual and calm. Ask for clarity on what "smiling enough" means for your specific role and how it's measured. You could even ask if there's a written policy on it.
- Potential Angle: If you are a woman, and male coworkers are not being held to the same standard of "smiling," this could be a case of gender discrimination. This is a serious legal issue, and documenting it carefully (including any instances where male colleagues were not written up for similar demeanor) would be vital if you decide to pursue this angle with HR or an employment lawyer.
- Focus on Your Performance: Continue to excel at your actual job duties. This makes it harder for them to build a case against you based on tangible performance issues.
- "Malicious Compliance" (Use with Caution): This is a cheeky strategy but can sometimes be effective. If your supervisor wants you to smile, you could theoretically start smiling widely and unnaturally at inappropriate times, like when talking to boxes, or with a forced, almost sarcastic grin when they are around. The goal is to make the demand seem absurd. However, this carries the risk of being seen as insubordinate, so gauge your workplace culture carefully before attempting it.
- Look for Other Opportunities: Honestly, a workplace that gives a write-up for "not smiling enough" in a warehouse job is likely not a healthy environment. It might be time to start quietly looking for other employment where your hard work is valued for what it is.
Key Takeaway
This write-up is highly unusual for your type of role and suggests a dysfunctional management approach. Don't let it undermine your confidence or make you feel like you're doing something wrong when you're clearly focused on getting your job done in challenging conditions. Prioritize your well-being and consider your options carefully.
Would you like to discuss any of these options in more detail, or perhaps think about how to phrase a conversation with HR?