Global Career Consultant, Author of "Cut the Crap, Get a Job!", Personal career coach, Professional speaker, columnist for 43 Business Journals, writer for Forbes, Investors Business Daily, featured on NPR for careers. 30 year veteran hiring manager, ex-Microsoft, Kodak, IBM.
30 years as executive Sales and Marketing leader, global positions, lived in Asia and Europe, managed large teams and budgets.
First step: Get all the negativity out of your own head. Prepare to embark on a full job search and join other job-seekers who are leaving a negative situation. You do not have to disclose any or all of what happened. Don't worry about references right now, either, as you don't have an interview or offer yet!
Second step: Prepare your job search by scripting your interview answers, including the hard questions like "why did you leave your prior company?" Do a great job with your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, etc.
Third step: Knock them dead with your application, networking, and interviewing. Pick up my book for 9 free download templates and tools that come with my program.
You can do this! Chin up, talk positively, and focus on how you present yourself as the best person to fit their gap based on their job description.