4 ways to keep your job after a major failure

When we make a critical mistake at work, getting fired is the worst-case scenario. But there is another, more likely scenario - the loss of professional reputation. Thanks to social networks and the Internet, information can leak outside the company and bring even more trouble - for example, it will become more difficult to find a new place. Luckily, there are some simple yet effective ways to keep both your job and your reputation.

1. Admit your mistakes

You may have generated a report with incorrect data. Or the client you served wrote a devastating review of the company. Whatever it is, you need to acknowledge your involvement in what happened. It doesn't matter if you want to talk about it or not. Those around you will probably discuss what happened.

When we admit our mistakes, we demonstrate a responsible approach to business. If the reputation is damaged, it must be restored as soon as possible. To become famous as a person who screwed up is bad. Being famous as someone who screwed up but immediately fixed the situation is a little better.

Schedule a meeting with your superiors to discuss the situation. It should not take a defensive position. It is better to admit directly that you made a mistake. If this was due to external factors, such as a colleague letting you down, mention it, but take responsibility for your actions. Apologize and promise that this will not happen again.

2. Understand the reasons for failure

Do deep professional work on the bugs. And be prepared for the fact that you are unlikely to like its results.

The main question that needs to be sorted out is whether this failure is an isolated case or the result of a series of bad decisions. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but when it comes to a systemic crisis, think about where it came from. Perhaps the working atmosphere contributed to this. Or you are in the wrong place, and you do not like your position or company.

You need to decide if you want to continue working under these conditions, and if not, then understand what changes you need.

3. Throw all your strength to work

If you decide to stay, be prepared for the fact that the attitude of colleagues towards you may change and for some time they will have a low opinion of you.

To turn the tide, fully immerse yourself in the work. Listen carefully to the advice and criticism of your boss and make sure that your progress is visible from the outside. Perform your duties well, cooperate with others, contribute, and try to gradually change the opinions of others for the better.

You have to re-gain the trust of not only management, but also teammates. Reputation is a general idea of ​​a person that is generally held by a particular group. But the group is made up of individuals, and you can influence their position by addressing each colleague in a different way. The more allies you have, the greater the chance that your reputation will improve.

Don't expect a successful next task, a brilliant report, or impeccable customer service to make everyone forget what happened. Rebuilding trust will take time and patience.

4. Prepare to find a new place

If you don't want to take the time to rebuild trust, or if you feel like you're in the wrong place, use failure as an incentive to leave. You should not expect that the transition to a new company will go perfectly smoothly. The news about your mistake could have gone beyond the team. In addition, some employers prefer to make inquiries at the previous place of work of a potential employee.

Of course, this does not mean that you will never find a job. You just need to strategize how to deal with past mistakes. For example, you can negotiate with a person who is ready to give you good recommendations, or prepare for an interview a story about how you dealt with the consequences of your failure.

Another effective strategy is to embrace your new reputation. Be honest with the prospective employer about the course of events. This will show you from the best side and free you from the fear that someone will find out about your mistakes from outsiders and consider you a deceiver and an unqualified specialist.

No matter how strange it may sound, a competent "presentation" of errors can play in your favor. We all make mistakes, but those who speak up and learn from their failures are much more likely to come back to the top again.