Fired - How to Proceed?
Hi all,
Yesterday I was fired from my first full-time gig (investment analyst at a small RIA). I was told that my termination was primarily for "fit" reasons, and that the quality of my actual work/research was good. Essentially, I was told that I lacked "passion" for the job. In all fairness, this isn't entirely inaccurate - I was starting to feel pretty burned out with a lot of the busywork I was doing (unrelated to actual investment research/financial modeling), and I felt like I had an inaccurate picture of the position when I started. In other words, I would characterize the job duties more along the lines of "Managing a small business, which involves some investment research at times".
The firm itself is tiny (6 full timers, one of whom was nearly always on travel), so cultural mismatches were likely magnified. I am getting a few months' worth of severance pay (and my boss is reaching out to colleagues/helping with the search for a new position), so I'm definitely not leaving on the worst of terms, I guess. Apart from the obvious shitty feeling of being canned, my problems are now twofold:
What do I take away from this? Other than taking the initiative to pitch more investment ideas (which, to be fair, NO ONE did at our meetings), I'm not sure how else to alter my performance so that this doesn't happen again. I was not told of any issues with my actual work. I definitely made a few errors in my time there, but nothing that seemed to stand out.
What should I tell recruiters/interviewers? Are hiring managers going to buy the idea that I was let go for fit reasons? If I were in their shoes, I'd find that story a bit sketchy. Both the firm owner and my direct manager said they'd give me good references, but still...
I'm trying my best to ward off the depressed feelings and hit the pavement as soon as possible. For now, I've reached out to a couple recruiters who contacted me previously. Any and all advice would be great at this point, particularly from those who've been in a similar situation.
Sorry to hear about your job OP, that really sucks.
You mentioned your firm quoted a lack of passion, and it’s not inaccurate. Did it become a role that youve come to dislike? Or was it just indifference?
Either way, even if your work quality was good/fine, dislike or disinterest of a job (even if you don’t make any outwardly negative comments) can show up in the form of expressions, tone, body language and so on. And people - especially in a tight knit team where culture is very important and the effect is magnified by it being small - can pick up on those things. Unfairly, it will work against you when they compare you to your peers. For example, if someone is still getting up the curve, their work quality is so-so, but they show genuine passion and interest in the role and they have the capacity to improve, the positivity they bring to the team will mitigate the work quality aspect (with the thinking: his heart’s in it, he’ll keep getting better, work quality will improve). Conversely, they may rate you (and nitpick things - like not bringing more investment ideas) more harshly if they think your heart’s not in it. And, while this isn’t true for everyone, work quality can be impacted by disinterest over time. Especially if this is a long slog type role.
Honestly, if this isn’t something you’re interested in, it is what it is. And while it definitely sucks that it happened, it also gives you a chance to think about what you really want in your next role. Take a few days to just chill - exercise, hang out with friends, relax. Think about what you’d like your next role to be short and long-term (sector, responsibilities, etc) and use your bosses’ offered help/connections. I’d go back to him after you have an idea of where you want to be and see if he can help you that way.
As for the messaging... I personally think someone with good work quality but is not a fit (because He’s interested in something else) is reasonable. I’d probably pitch it as “I learned a lot in the role, and my deliverables were very well received by the team, but I’m interested in XYZ, which ultimately doesn’t fit with the role. I’ve communicated with the team on where I’d like to take my career, and they are very supportive”... I mean I’m spitballing but something that highlights that (1) you did well but you want something you’re passionate about, (2) bosses can vouch for quality and support you.
People don’t make referrals for people they think are disasters. Because they are staking their reputation on you. I think the only time people rep someone they don’t think well of is if they are trying to get rid of that person as an internal move, or that kid has very influential parents/family that you don’t want to piss off.
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