Fired Over a Text? Here’s How to Stay Professional and Move On

How to Deal with Getting Fired Over a Text Message: The Ultimate Survival Guide

1. You Got Fired by Text? Seriously?

• Imagine checking your phone and seeing:
  • “Hey Doc, we’re letting you go. Thanks for your service.”
• No meeting. No explanation. Just a text.
• It’s disrespectful, unprofessional, and infuriating—but it happens.

2. First Things First: Don’t Respond Immediately
❌ Don’t fire back an angry reply.
❌ Don’t beg to keep your job.
❌ Don’t call your boss and start yelling.

• Instead, take a deep breath and pause.
• Reacting emotionally won’t change anything—it just makes things worse.

3. Screenshot Everything: Protect Yourself
Take screenshots of the text, emails, and any relevant conversations.
Save performance reviews and past communications.
Document everything in case you need legal action later.

4. Check Your Contract: Were They Even Allowed to Fire You Like This?

• Many employment contracts require formal termination procedures.
• Questions to ask:
  • Was there a notice period required?
  • Were you supposed to get a written explanation?
  • Is this even legal in your location?
• If they violated the contract, you might have a case for wrongful termination.

5. Demand a Proper Explanation (Professionally, Not Emotionally)

• Text back (calmly):
  • “I just received your message. Can you provide clarification regarding the reasons and process for termination?”
• Why?
  • They might realize how unprofessional this is.
  • You need official documentation of why you were fired.
  • If they refuse, this makes them look bad in case of legal action.

6. Call HR (If Your Job Has One)

• HR is supposed to handle terminations professionally.
• Ask them:
  • “What are the official reasons for my termination?”
  • “Can I receive a formal termination letter?”
  • “What about final pay, benefits, and severance?”
• If they seem clueless, your employer probably didn’t follow the rules.

7. Check If You’re Owed Money
Final paycheck – Make sure you get paid for all completed work.
Severance pay – If applicable, ask if you qualify.
Unused vacation/PTO payout – Some contracts require they pay you for it.
Bonuses or commissions – If you were expecting one, don’t let them cheat you.

8. If It’s Unfair or Illegal, Consider Legal Action
⚖️ Wrongful termination is real.
⚖️ Firing someone via text could violate labor laws.
⚖️ If discrimination or unfair treatment is involved, you may have a case.

• When to consult a lawyer:
  • If they fired you without notice (and your contract required it).
  • If there’s evidence of discrimination.
  • If they refuse to pay what you’re owed.

9. Announce Your Exit Strategically (Don’t Burn Bridges)

• If coworkers ask, keep it professional:
  • ✅ “I was let go due to company restructuring.”
  • ✅ “My time here has ended, and I’m exploring new opportunities.”
  • ❌ “This place is a joke. I got fired via text!”
• Medicine is a small world—a bad exit can haunt your career.

10. Update Your Resume Immediately
Before you mentally spiral, take action.
Add recent experiences, achievements, and skills.
Apply for new jobs ASAP—momentum helps you recover faster.

11. Reach Out to Your Network: Don’t Job Hunt Alone

• Text, email, or call former colleagues, professors, and mentors.
• Post a professional update on LinkedIn.
• Let people know you’re looking—many jobs come from referrals.

12. Turn This Into an Opportunity for Career Growth
Maybe this job wasn’t great anyway.
Maybe you’ve outgrown it and needed a push.
Maybe now is the time to aim for a better job or new specialty.

• Being fired isn’t always a career setback—it can be a fresh start.

13. Handle the Emotional Aftermath (Because It Will Hit You)
Feeling rejected is normal.
You might be angry, embarrassed, or anxious.
It’s okay to vent—but don’t let it consume you.

• Give yourself a few days to process.
• Remember: Your job is not your identity.

14. Avoid These Common Mistakes After Being Fired
❌ Posting a public rant about your employer.
❌ Texting your boss a long emotional response.
❌ Begging to get your job back.
❌ Shutting down and not looking for new jobs.
❌ Blaming yourself entirely.

15. Plan Your Next Move (And Make It Better Than Your Last Job)
✅ Apply for jobs that offer better pay or work-life balance.
✅ Consider upskilling—maybe now’s the time for additional training.
✅ If you always wanted to start a side business, maybe this is the moment.
✅ Learn from what happened—what can you do differently next time?

16. If You Want Revenge, Success is the Best Kind
Prove them wrong by landing an even better job.
Use this as motivation to level up your career.
The best way to “get back” at them is to thrive without them.