One day, you will get fired.

At some point in your career you will get fired.  We’re not talking about that time  you missed a shift at the drive-thru or were secret shopped at the check out, we’re talking about getting fired from a job where you have your very own phone line,  business cards and everything.

You probably won’t get fired because you’re incompetent, although that happens now and then.  You, like the vast majority of people who are sent packing, will  probably get fired because you aren’t a good fit with your boss, your colleagues or the organization.   

Marilynn Balfour (BA Psych 1971) sees it all the time.  She’s the Director of Career Resources at Calgary’s Bowen Staffing, and she has more than 20 years experience counseling and coaching people in – and recently out of - the workforce.

“There are precious few people in the workforce now who haven’t experienced getting fired,” she says. “You can’t work for a number of years and not have that happen to you.”  Unlike grampa’s day, it’s just a fact of life now. 

When your number is called, you really shouldn’t take it personally, says Balfour   “There’s no stigma about getting fired any more, unless you choose to make it that.”

Far from a shameful or embarrassing event, she says getting fired is an opportunity for growth and development.  “When you get fired from a job, there can be several reasons for it, but it makes you really think about what your skill set is and what kind of an environment is going to be good for you so you can keep learning and growing.”

And remember, Balfour says, some of the best people get fired.  “Often times it’s the people that stand up for themselves and express their opinions who can be the ones to get fired, if the person who is managing them can’t handle that.”