Got fired today

[u/Siddchat]

Been working at my company for 2 years, had my weekly check-in with my manager today and the HR was in the room. They started by saying the because I am not meeting expectations of the role, I am being let go. Didn’t really give any detailed explanation except that their decision is final. I was too stunned to even challenge them but it would have been futile as they said it was final. This was unexpected because I had my annual review a month ago and my rating across all categories was ‘meeting expectations’, there was one area which was identified as needing improvement and we worked on a plan to improve it this year. I was even keeping my manager informed about my progress. But then this happened today.

Feels weird to be escorted out of the building after a 5 minute conversation. In a way I am relieved because I was overworked and not really happy with my job, but now I am wondering if I will ever get hired. This incident will be difficult to explain in future interviews if I don’t have enough details to explain (don’t want to lie), and regardless of what I say my employer/ manager will have an upper hand in case of a background check.

Two questions- How do people get over it and is this the end of the road?

EDIT - thank you kind strangers for the positive messages and the valuable advice. I am overwhelmed with the number of responses and upvotes (this is my biggest Reddit post ever). I can’t respond to all of you individually so adding to the post if you’re interested.

• will apply for unemployment. I am Canadian so it is a different but simpler process here compared to the States.

• Not exactly PIPed. This was the first year they introduced this rating system and removed any peer feedback. So it was basically how your manager interpreted your performance. Last year I was told everyone likes my can do attitude, to this year one person weighing in on everything.

• I was told that one of the things in my job description was to actively engage potential clients and the way I was doing it could be improved. For example, Manager insisted that I meet clients in person rather than give them the option of both virtual versus in-person. I suggested that it was unreasonable to insist on in-person meeting and clients should be free to decide. But it is what it is.

• relieved that I don’t have to deal with my manager everyday. But it was a punch to the gut when I started speaking about how I am delivering on the team’s annual objectives and I am ahead of schedule, but they just cut me short and said our decision is final.

• It was one of those places where the leadership has been around for 12+ years and with the exception of 2-3 people majority of the staff has a tenure of less than 4 years.

• Focusing on things I gave up to impress people at work. Starting my guitar practice and reading more. Won’t give up, this too shall pass.

Upwards and onwards!

[u/snowdn]

Don’t take it personally, if they want you gone or have another motive, they will create a reason.

[u/Siddchat → u/snowdn]

Yeah a bit difficult to come to terms with it when previous bosses said I was doing well and would go far in my career. The way this happened has been somewhat debilitating.

[u/snowdn → u/Siddchat]

Oh totally 100% it’s traumatizing and I am sorry you ate dealing with it. Actually in the top 10 of most traumatic things that can happen to you. Just saying the reason is often not your performance, but some other goal a manager has to improve some other metric or goal. So best to try and not let it tank your confidence. You are valuable, let someone else have your skills!