This has been bothering me for quite a while. Not because I've ever been fired or unemployed (currently a phd student finishing my thesis and starting work in 3 weeks), but because of all the comments I tend to read on how awful it is when a gaming company is hit with layoffs or even worse closes down. It seems that getting fired/laid off is one of the worst things that can happen to someone. And maybe it is.

But I recently gave it some thought after hearing from old classmates of mine who are 28 at the moment and still don't have a full-time job. Getting fired/being laid off from a job means that you no longer have a stable income but it also means that you have made some money over the period that you were actually working and your CV looks much better than someone else's who's been unemployed. It's also likely that your networking while having a job will help you get another one down the road. After being unemployed for years, on the other hand, it becomes less and less likely for someone to hire you. It just looks bad on your CV.

This hit me after reading a comment online about a cancelled tv show. Someone said something along the lines of "glad (the tv-show) Community is cancelled" and everyone started attacking him for being a "hater" and a terrible person. Well, in my opinion, when he replied he actually made a good point. The way he phrased his reply makes me think that he wasn't entirely serious, but still. He said "what about all the actors that don't have a job and their pilot is not picked up so that x show can get yet another season despite its terrible ratings?". And I have to kind of agree. The cast of Community has made some money from the show and also some of them made a name for themselves through the show. I'm also sure they got some roles thanks to becoming bigger names because of the show. And then there are guys whose pilot never gets picked up because the networks have enough shows. In my opinion, those guys have it worse. So, a show getting cancelled or someone getting fired could be a good thing for someone who needs a shot to prove themselves.

Does anyone agree? Any relevant experiences that you wanna share?

Being fired is much worse. It could hurt your chances of future employment as well.

First, thanks for posting here. It seems that not too many people are interested in the topic.

As for your point, do you think that it'd be more likely for a future employer to hire someone with no experience than someone with experience who, for some reason stopped working at a certain company? I mean, if you're looking at CV's, the reason that someone stopped working in a company is not stated. And if they ask you in an interview, you can always try to defend your action. But still, you have some experience, as opposed to someone with less experience or no experience.

I think they would want to hire someone with experience. Of course if the person hasn't been working for a long time or was fired from his last job, then I don't think they'd hire the person.

Yeah, being fired is a horrible thing if you're looking for work.

Think of it this way: Would you want to hire someone with a clean track record or someone who was fired due to, say, being an impediment in workplace dynamics?

Indeed, this is not a logical question.

I'm well aware that it all comes to down to the circumstances. I phrased the question intentionally vaguely so that people can share their experience even if their situation does not perfectly match a specific example stated in the OP.

But I did give an example of the cancellation of the TV-show "Community" (which was renewed later on anyway). And the question is, should one feel bad for the actors that lost their jobs (even the ones that got fired before the season ended) or feel like this is actually a good thing as it could be a chance for new actors to show their talent and make a career?

Whenever I read an article about lay-offs I keep reading all the comments about how bad they feel about the people who were laid off. Sure, I don't know each person's circumstances but I still don't feel as bad for them as I do for people who've never been a part of game developing team. One of my best friends told me that every time he applies for a job as a game developer, he gets rejected for not having experience. So I feel worse for people who are never given a chance as opposed to people who did and blew it or due to certain circumstances they were laid off (but still have a better chance at being rehired). 

I would definitely rather hire someone with a clean record, but is it really how it works? From what I've heard, if you don't have enough experience, you have zero chance at getting hired.

For example, when it comes to actors, I think there've been many who have a terrible track record, yet still find high profile jobs. Then there are those who never get to star in a movie due to no one knowing of their talent.

Getting fired sucks, happened to me and I don't want to go threw that again.

Ok, say that you and your best friend both go to college together and finish at the same time with similar grades. You both start applying for jobs as game developers for months. He gets a job, but you don't. After a year of working on a project, he's fired. It's not like he didn't do well, just not well enough. They replace him with someone a bit better/more talented/willing to work extra long unpaid hours. You can't find a job as a game developer and all you can get is part time jobs as a waiter. You ask how he's doing and he goes "Life sucks, man. It's hard to explain. You won't get it. Getting fired is the worst feeling in the world".

Who do you think has it worse. You or him?