chubbspeterson
Politicker
45
Business Development
When I had just finished college I got fired from a temp position at Yellowbook. (yes, the phone book company that no longer exists). 

It wasn't a big deal because I already accepted an offer for a different job that started months later, but it happened on the day of the company 4th of July party, and I was wearing the most ridiculous American flag T shirt that had a bald eagle tearing through the flag, that I had bought at a gas station that morning. 

I got canned for failing a drug test (this was back when weed was much less legal / decriminalized), so I knew it was coming,  but It was simultaneously one of the funniest / most embarrassing moments of my life, as I walked out there with my box of belongings in the most patriotic gas station t shirt one could buy in Cedar Rapids Iowa. 

The audacity of yellowbook to expect someone to be a temp employee there, while not being high, is still beyond me.... 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
15
HMFIC
that is fucking hilarious
southernfriedsales
Opinionated
2
Senior AE & Business Owner
Oh, drug tests - why oh why do these exist anymore. If someone is strung out and has a problem. It's usually pretty obvious. 
SalesSavage4Ever
Good Citizen
1
Account Executive
LOL
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Hilarious
sahil
Notable Contributor
38
Deepak Chopra of Sales
Being fired is a right of passage in sales. I've been fired twice, and both times I was the #1 salesperson globally at the company.

Both times it was because I was an egomaniac who thought I walked on water because I was God's gift to sales. 

Well-deserved humbling that helped me reshape my career...and my life... <3 
thegrinch
Politicker
6
SDR
What did you do or say that got you fired? I kind of feel like an omnipotent all-knowing presence at work too and am afraid its going to get me in trouble even though I'm the number 1 rep @sahil 
sahil
Notable Contributor
7
Deepak Chopra of Sales
Yeah it's easy to end up there man. Just gotta remember that being the #1 rep globally means you aren't working to your fullest capacity. It was when I realized that I was a big fish in a small pond...and I needed to go swim with the sharks in the ocean before I could really test my worth... that I realized how far I still had to grow.
thegrinch
Politicker
1
SDR
How do I go swim with the sharks too? Is it a particular company I need to join? Is it going to at top 10 MBA program? What is it?
bellaccione
Valued Contributor
3
Growth Consultant
this is a hard one. the path will look different for everyone, but here are some guideposts:

- your next opportunity should scare you. You should really doubt that you can do it EXCEPT FOR THE FACT that one or two humans are already doing it (eg. the top-performing reps at said 'next opportunity') which means that you can too
- forget the MBA or school. You need real-world reps in an environment of real-world killers

quick tip: if you want to get good quick, go do high-ticket online sales (often commission-only) for somebody like salesprocess.io or Scaling with Systems or a similar outfit. You get in an environment like that you'll quickly realize that the guys making 20k/month are on a whole different level sales-wise, and you can learn from them/eventually become them

HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
4
HMFIC
I think it's awesome that you found the positive from the negative experience, and learned from it.  Kudos to you.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Indeed
Captain_Q
Arsonist
1
Sr. Account Executive
This!!
xxx
Valued Contributor
1
CRO
100% this is why I was fired. 
JAC
Good Citizen
1
Director of Sales
Yep, similar situation for me.  My boss and I butted heads often and I thought I was untouchable. LOL, incorrect.  No one tolerates an asshole for long, regardless of the revenue they bring in. 
BusinessUnusual
Executive
0
Senior Account Executive
I had a similar experience.  Was the #1 rep within the organization several years running.  It humbled...and perhaps scarred me just a bit.  Forced me to "grow up" and realize that while looking out for #1 is important, I needed to do so with a bit more humility and grace.  
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
20
Head of Sales Development
I was fired from Starbucks when I was 16.

I got put on a PIP once as a full cycle AE - I found a new job 30 days later and had immediate success.

It's all about leadership.
NeildeSaaSTyson
Contributor
7
Senior Account Executive (MM)
@thesalesdocrx All about leadership +1
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
6
Head of Sales Development
Amen
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
5
HMFIC
what were some of the poor leadership traits in your old job that differed from the positive experience in your next job?
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
5
Head of Sales Development
Failure to look at Data when making assumptions about performance.

Also the fact that the only New Guy (person with less than 12 mo experience) was having the Sales Manager write deals under his name because he was the son of the SM's college roommate.

So when yes you compare me to him, I'm not going to succeed because our SM has 10 years of clients he's writing new deals under for him.
NeildeSaaSTyson
Contributor
2
Senior Account Executive (MM)
@HarryCaray I dealt with ad hoc, Roger Goodell-style, decision making, aka total lack of consistency at one place.  I had a separate manager who only handed out negative feedback via email despite sitting 20 feet from me!

Converse that with transparent leadership and a clear communication style.  As well as a known mission/goal and creating a path to get there.  Night and day.   
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
5
Head of Sales Development
Communication is the #1 reason for employee retention loss.

Especially if your boss doesn't have the guts to have the conversation in person.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
oof.  Hope they caught on to that BS and put a stop to it.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
I really dislike people who don't have the ability to have tough conversations outside of email...
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
yeah that's a really poor quality to have as a manager
GoldDigger
Fire Starter
4
Sales Rep
I think anyone put on a PIP should immediately start job hunting.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Makes sense 💯
ChiefGreef45
Catalyst
1
Account Executive
Agree with this 100%.  I was put on a PIP and an AE as well, and figured my time would be better well spent finding a new job when I didn't see the progression I was working towards. 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Perfectly put! Congratulations to you on that success 💯
Broncosfan
Politicker
12
Account Manager
I was fired from Pizza Hut. Twice. And went back to work for them a 3rd time.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
13
HMFIC
I'm ready to get hurt again.
coldcaller
Fire Starter
1
BDR
you can't run from the 'hut!
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Resilience overloaded!
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
11
Officer of ♥️
I was fired today.



The company has been a shit show since joining with the typical outdated chiefs looking to revitalize the SDR org but having no flexibility or proper planning in place at all.


the mans I started with quit the first day and I decided to stick it out while building the interviewing pipeline. 



it was pretty impossible to work and we had legit next to no training on the product or process within the org and no alignment with the ae's.

'the last time I saw a company this mismanaged was my grandson's lemonade stand.'

That being said for barely making any calls or emails the fact that I was able to still bring in a meeting 45 times the size of any of my peers was awesome to me, and I'm kinda bummed I don't get to sit in on that first call, but am also stoked I get severance because I was legit going to put in my 2 weeks sometime this week.

Never have I been so lied to by my manager as well it was pretty petty, he would lie about what other sdr's were doing, what activity they were doing, where there meetings were coming from, inbound vs outbound, that he was busy fighting for me when he wasn't, always on vacation or sick or busy.


Totally didn't even flinch when he brought me in for our one on one and said HR will be joining and they cut me because I really know that it's a blessing for me to leave and focus on joining a place where the company has a future that is worth fighting for and a manager who doesn't coerce his SDR's like a manipulative narcissistic psychopathic ex.

thats all, thanks for the vent.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
4
HMFIC
Dang, sorry to hear that.  But it sounds like you're almost relieved to be done with a toxic work environment.  Good luck on the next spot, tons of great places out there for a savage!
SADNESSLieutenant
Politicker
1
Officer of ♥️
definitely relieved, I was dreading each day worse and worse.
AlexT
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I am leaving a very toxic environment any day now and this is a blessing. I totally relate. 

I wish you to find a company and a manager who elevate you instead of sabotaging your work. 
Hotsaw
Politicker
11
VP Sales
At one company, the VP sales came to me asking who he thought should be let go. After taking the weekend to think it over, I went to him on the Monday and told him to package me out and in order to keep more of the Juniors on board. My thinking: company was screwed and I didn't want to take on shittier jobs, so I got my check and was on my way. Company folded 6 months later.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
BOLD strategy.  That is awesome.  Nice work.
coldcaller
Fire Starter
2
BDR
You made the right call there!
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Great work! 💯
SADNES5
Politicker
6
down voters are marketing spies
48 comments... 59 votes. 9 upvotes.

true savages.
SADNES5
Politicker
4
down voters are marketing spies
some marketing level KPIs here people.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
4
HMFIC
I have another poll with almost 400 comments and 860 votes so far with only like 70 upvotes
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Absolutely 😀
DwightsEgo
Politicker
5
BDR Manager
Quit before being fired....I could see the writing on the wall. Quit and got into SaaS, never looked back
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
what was the role before your SaaS gig?
DwightsEgo
Politicker
1
BDR Manager
Sold Fleet Gas Cards 
Broncosfan
Politicker
1
Account Manager
I think I probably interviewed at the same place. Seemed like a nightmare. 
koalifications
Old School Bravo
5
Salesforce Consultant
i'd like to grab drinks with the 17 other people who have also been fired more than once. 4 for me! 😆
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
3
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Only 2 for me. Saw the second one coming. Already had drinks planned post-meeting. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
4??
koalifications
Old School Bravo
1
Salesforce Consultant
i'm... a bit... polarizing 
IceColdCloser
Contributor
5
AE
If you're in a position of being fired from sales its 1 of 3 reasons imo...

1 - The Product is Shit
2 - Management are shit
3 - You're currently shit (because you're unhappy - fuck them and find a better gig)
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
I'd agree with that.
NoSuperhero
Politicker
4
BDR LEAD
Yep, I was doing everything possible to get fired so I can talk to the Operations manager to her face and tell her she's a two faced biawtch and everyone at the company knew it. Man she needed to hear that, also her face was in total shock, I love it hahaha
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
that had to be satisfying...but you couldn't do that by quitting? haha
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
I realize that now, I was very stupid and young and benefitted from having that paycheck come in so I didn't really think it through. hahahah
TheRealPezDog
Notable Contributor
2
Account Manager
I got put on a 30 day pip and the dumbasses fired me 2 weeks in, thanks for the unemployment you dumb fucks! 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
Dang sorry to hear that.  Doesn't really make sense to put together a plan if they're not going to at least see it through...
Savagedoge
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
I got fired 3 months after I got hired by a CEO who didn’t have the balls to do it himself. He legit stopped responding to all my emails and messages 10 days before they let the cat outta the bag. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
👑
Classy
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
what was the reason?  And who ended up delivering the bad news since the CEO wimped out?
Savagedoge
Tycoon
2
Account Executive
This was a whole new industry and a complex MDM. The ramp up was clearly not going to be 3 months, but expectations weren’t set properly. I was told I’d be doing a lot of research for the first 6 months and wasn’t expected to close deals (these are enterprise deals starting at $100k). 
HR had to come in and deliver the bad news, of course lol. Her feedback was humorous though. She was like, “CEO expects a level of progress and apparently you didn’t respond to his messages quickly either”. This was the precedent. Since then, they’ve raised 2 rounds of funding and at least 20 people in sales and Biz Dev have been fired in the last couple of years. I’m happy I’m outta that shithole
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
sounds like a blessing in disguise...maybe not even in disguise, just a blessing!
NeildeSaaSTyson
Contributor
2
Senior Account Executive (MM)
Fired twice, first two sales jobs. 


First one was a churn and burn sales floor model with 85%-90% turnover, lasted 13 months.  Welcome to the Thunderdome. 

The second one was a good old disagreement with management and being vocal or some nepotism hires for managers that were severely underqualified by a new regional Director.  Def, could have handled it better, but I was vindicated when the NAM VP figured out what was going on and cleaned house. 


Ended up being the move before I landed where I am now as a content top performer, with a much better company, product, and mission.  He/She who laughs last laughs longest!

HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
love hearing stories like that.  Get out before the house comes crumbling down.
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
2
Agency Recruiter
About 3 months into the pandemic, I was with a huge ass company that was firing left and right for any and all reasons to trim fat and cut losses. Lost track of time and took a bathroom break, came back and was 15 minutes late to a Friday weekly team wrap-up call. Didn't think it was a huge deal and as my team lead and I were pretty tight, I straight up told him what happened when he asked rather than lying about being on a call or something.

Apparently, he told my manager, who wasn't actually even in the office on that Friday, and I was welcomed Monday morning by a call from my manager and regional VP letting me know that I was no longer a part of the company.

Good riddance. 

Didn't enjoy the job and I'm at a start-up with great culture and comp plan! Blessing in disguise!
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
that is ridiculous.  Sounds like they were just looking for reasons to shit can people.  

"15 minutes late to meeting?  Straight to jail..."
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
That's exactly what it was - office headcount had already been cut to 45ish from 60+ in that 3 months when I got the boot.
bellaccione
Valued Contributor
0
Growth Consultant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiyfwZVAzGw&ab_channel=eldochem good think he didn't overcook the chicken
KnightKingORL
Valued Contributor
2
Account Executive
No but im bout to if I goose egg april with how slow its been
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
bummer man...keep pushing!
SgtAE
WR Officer
2
AE
I was fired from a job packing office supplies into boxes 2 hours before my final shift was over, seemed pretty petty from the boss but you know thats life haha. I'm in enterprise SaaS and have had a global career, so no harm done. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
wow haha.  What a d-bag
JDialz
Politicker
2
Chief Operating Officer
No, but I have done some terminating. The causes were all pretty varied, and it sucked for me (albeit a lot less shitty for me than for the person being canned, of course. I'm not a psycho) every time except one - I was looking forward to that one for a while.

Only got threatened by two people, though. 

Ya'll have some interesting stories here!
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
4
HMFIC
Tell the threatening story!
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
When I was a teenager from a franchised grocery store.

The manager didn't like my attitude when I refused to clean public toilets covered in lord knows what.

I delved into my first entrepreneurial efforts quickly after that.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
2
HMFIC
how'd the first entre project turn out??  Love a good start up story.
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
I was still a teenager and into gaming - it was essentially reselling farmed in-game currencies I purchased from Asia.

Not scalable at all but gave me my first taste of sales.
xc23
Good Citizen
2
Director Sales Development
I was laid off right when I wanted to be laid off most. The timing was amazing and my life immediately improved. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
1
👑
Yup. Not from a sales job though. No juicy stories, it was when I was high school/university age from entry level service positions. I was to blame for some of it, some of it was due to inept management that treated people like shit. Is what it is.

Being fired isn't a "bad" thing in my eyes (unless it's due to harassment/theft/other criminal activity.) Not every job is for every person and I think it's better to just fire someone and let them free rather than wait months for them to quit. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
You're right, and tons of big success stories begin with being fired from somewhere.  All about how you respond to it.
allsaasnobrakes
Member
1
Growth Account Executive
First job out of college I was a hybrid BDR/Account manager for an AdTech company. The morning after my 6 month check in (which I thought went exceptionally well), they brought the entire sales team into the main board room and told us they were letting go of everyone in the room. Managers, SVPs, AEs, BDRs, they cleaned house. Worked out though - I ended up at a better gig!
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
holy crap!  Were they just taking on water and having to cut costs any way they could?
allsaasnobrakes
Member
1
Growth Account Executive
Never did get that clarity but never felt inclined to ask to be honest. One can only imagine that was the case.
beerisforclosers
Politicker
1
Account Manager
No. Got "restructured" a few times. Do the same job with a new title - gotta love a new director "making their mark"

HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
I never understood why some people feel the need to do that.
heronious
Good Citizen
1
Senior Account Executive
fired from Arby's for putting too much condiments on the sandwiches.   In reality,  it was giving my co-worker some lip during lunch rush
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
3
HMFIC
MVP for hooking up the extra Arby's Sauce!
heronious
Good Citizen
1
Senior Account Executive
I'm more of a horsey sauce kinda guy
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
love that stuff too
GetAHobby
Arsonist
1
RVP Sales
Worked in banking for a brief period, they had a "sales" contest that each sale got you mardi gras style beads, let's just say there was some locker room talk around me giving my beads away that lead me to be promptly walked out the next week.  
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
I feel like they kinda set the tone for that. Not your fault
GetAHobby
Arsonist
1
RVP Sales
See, I thought the same thing! Anyway, I never listed I even worked there on my resume since. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
How do you navigate the gap on the resume? Does it ever come up?
saygrace
Valued Contributor
1
Sales Executive
I got fired from a sales job I was half assing on my way out the door. I literally got fired the day before I was going to put in my notice.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
Did you get severance out of it??
Icyveins
Executive
1
Strategic Account Executive
Got fired from a BD role for a disagreement with the CEO in one of my start up gigs. They made it amicable by stating I voluntarily left; and I ended up with a new gig with a hike and within a month
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
Wow it’s nice to hear at least one story where the company didn’t completely screw the person over. At least they stated you left I your own!
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
1
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
I got fired from my first job as an SDR - new Head of Sales joined 3 months in. 

Shifted from primarily dealing with inbound alongside some lighter outbound to being stuck in a closet all day cold calling. 

Needless to say, I sucked at it, Call fear was real.

Fired a few weeks later - Head of Sales then blocked me on Linkedin which I still find hilarious. 

HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
Blocked you on LI?? Petty...
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
1
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
He lasted 10 months. Still strange. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
He’s not gonna go too far
ColdCall
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Straight up Fired from one job, it was mis sold to me and was more about delivery Account Management than sales Account Management. Thankfully I was going to literally hand in my notice to the MD the day he pulled me external to break the news, so that was easy. 



Was 'made redundant' (UK) or 'laid off' (US) from two SaaS start-ups. 

1) Was quite a surprise, they took everyone into a room and said you're under threat of losing your job. Just as I was getting into the groove and closing more deals. They gutted 25% of the sales team in one go. Not ideal! 


2)Frustrating , as passed my probation and asked 'what can I do better?' and they said noting. A month later we're pulled in as a team and told 'We need more sales ASAP!', and then they had to cut half the client services team. Thankfully had something lined up already so no break in income! 

Not idea but you learn from each role I guess. That is the SaaS-y game we play. 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
Brutal out here man...
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
I once took a sales manager job and they fired the entire sales team while I was signing up for insurance and taking the required video training.  
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
Geez. Did you have a say in hiring your new squad? Or were you included in that mass firing?
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
I was tasked with hiring the new staff.  Not easy to do for that particular company.
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
0
HMFIC
difficult position to be in I'm sure, after all that went down.
2

Who's been fired?

Question
9
I have been fired for failing to meet quota?
36% Yes
54% No
4% I quit a commission only job because I didn't make enough
6% I got fired for voicing my opinions too boisterously!
67 people voted
11

If you knew you were about to get fired...

Question
18
Which one would you pick?
37% Marketing
21% Procurement
3% Admin / Secretary
38% I'll shoot myself
126 people voted