10 Career Lessons From #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords

The last thing you should do, if you get fired, is tweet about it — especially in the heat of the moment, when you’re embarrassed and trying to gather up the tattered bits of your dignity. If you’ve got a severance package, blabbing could even jeopardize it. No matter what, you want to look professional. No one wants to hire the person who complained about their former employer on social media, even if that employer really deserved it.

(Photo Credit: garrettheath/Flickr)

That said, there is a time and a place for talking about job loss on social media. Today’s trending hashtag #ReasonYouWereFiredinTwoWords shows us how it should be done — tongue in cheek, with no details, ideally about someone else — and what we can learn from the experience.

1. Attention to detail: it’s not just a line on your CV.

#ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords
Because I can’t count.

— 2nd in the league!!! (@JCooksey180) March 2, 2015

2. Punctuality matters, and so does quality of work.

Late deliveries #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/hh7Xalg1VZ

— Barbara Conover (@BarbaraConover) March 2, 2015

3. Don’t lie on your resume or anywhere else.

Don’t remember #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/knyK6jT7uC

— 50 Shades of Gregg (@Motormouth_65) March 2, 2015

4. What’s cute on TV isn’t cute in real life.

Jellied Stapler #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/MNAqxUUnuH

— Joe Charman comedian (@JoeOnVine) March 2, 2015

5. Don’t be passive-aggressive.

Subtweeted Boss #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords

— View from my office (@viewfrommyoffic) March 2, 2015

6. Take good care of office equipment. (Also: don’t lose your temper.)

Destroyed Copier #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/wYCj6qEcHR

— Michael Mann (@Michaelbmann3) March 2, 2015

7. Don’t be a creeper.

Facial touching #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/WC7fhdgWwk

— Ger-balls (@one_ring_77) March 2, 2015

8. Security matters.

password: password
#ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords

— TLBKlaus (@TLBKlaus) March 2, 2015

9. Be considerate while using public spaces.

Office refrigerator #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords pic.twitter.com/u7hvwRlPRW

— Jared Montana (@MoreArmadillos) March 2, 2015

10. Don’t tweet on the company time.

Twitter addiction. #ReasonYouWereFiredInTwoWords

— Melissa McDonald (@M3lissaMcDonald) March 2, 2015

Tell Us What You Think

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