So you’ve been fired. Join the club.

Years ago, I took an informal survey of my coworkers. I asked 10 colleagues to raise their hands if they’d ever been fired. Three hands went up. Firing isn’t that uncommon, especially in sales. The real question is what you’re going to do about it.

If You’ve Been Fired, It’s Time to Reflect

If you were let go for a legitimate reason, you lied to your boss, sent inappropriate emails, embarrassed yourself at the company holiday party, or simply missed quota, then you need to change something.

Self-awareness ranks as one of the top skills for high-performing C-level professionals. (They get fired too.) Get to the bottom of why you’re no longer with your company before you start the next search.

1. Decide If You Need to Leave Sales Altogether

Have you missed too many quotas for too long? Or did you just make a mistake, or land in the wrong place at the wrong time? Whatever happened, come to terms with it and decide whether you need to make a real change.

2. Choose Your References Wisely

Pick a few people from the company you were fired from and ask them about being a reference. These references matter as you move through the search, so choose people who genuinely want to vouch for you and can speak to the work you actually did.

3. Start Your Search Promptly

As tempting as it is, don’t take a few months off to recalibrate. Getting your search moving right away is the best thing you can do. A new role can take several months to land, and the longer you’re unemployed, the harder it gets to secure the next one.

4. Reach Out to Your Network

One of the surest ways to land a new sales role is through former colleagues. Reach out to past coworkers and let them know you’re on the market. This one strategy can cut the length of your job search significantly.

5. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Set your LinkedIn profile to “open to work.” It puts you higher in recruiter searches and helps you stand out. If you’re looking for a new sales job, this is a step you don’t skip.

6. Add References to Your LinkedIn Profile

Make sure your profile is current: your latest role, a professional photo, and your accomplishments. If you haven’t already, ask a former manager or colleague for a recommendation through LinkedIn.

7. Be Easy to Reach

When you’re between roles, you have more time to run a search, so use it. Being quick to answer email and phone makes it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to get you scheduled for interviews.

Don’t sit on responses. Getting back to potential employers fast shows them you’re responsive and easy to work with, and it gets you in front of decision-makers sooner. If you’re hard to track down, they’ll assume you’re not interested or have bigger priorities.

8. Stay Positive, You Keep Good Company

It’s easy to get down after being fired and job hunting. But remember the company you keep.

Maybe you’ve heard of Steve Jobs. He was fired from his own company.

A few other members of the club:

• Oprah Winfrey was fired and told she was “unfit for television.”
• Michael Bloomberg was fired from Salomon Brothers before founding Bloomberg.
• Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper job for lacking imagination and good ideas.

Put Your Faith in the Future and Take the First Step

Now that you’ve moved on, put your energy into the search. 

Looking for a job is your new job for now.

Start today: reach out to your network, update your LinkedIn profile, and reconnect with former colleagues. It’s never too soon to start entertaining new opportunities, and a good software sales recruiter can help you find the right next move faster.