You just got to work and your General Manager calls you into his office. Human Resources is there and your manager is also present. Your thinking, “this can’t be good, but let me stay positive.” They sit you down and tell you that your position has be eliminated. Your thinking unemployment? I’m fired? After ten years? You don’t care that I gave up weekends and vacations to get my job done and your firing me? I know all the things your thinking, but don’t say them out loud. Why? Because although it seems like you are powerless at this moment, your response and your reaction is going to take the power back and put you in the drivers seat. Here are three ways to respond if this ever happens to you:

Thank management for allowing you to work at the company and grow your skills. Although they just let you go, this was still a great opportunity. You were still chosen out of a group of people when you got hired and that is something to celebrate.

Be gracious to the people in the room. Don’t curse anybody out. Let’s be honest that might be what you want to do, but keep your class. Don’t burn bridges. You might need a reference in the near future.

If they tell you when your last day is, make sure to ask them what there expectations are of you going forward. Will you receive a severance package, and will they pay you all the money in your vacation account, if you have one.

Lastly, after you leave the room. Don’t panic. Pay attention to your thoughts and redirect that energy into possibilities. Opportunity is all around. Open your eyes and see this has a life lesson. Move on and don’t stay stuck rehearsing the problem. Focus on your next career move and use all your energy and power to move you forward. You can do this.