After 31 years at Microsoft, Washington-based tech veteran Mike Kostersitz faced one of the toughest moments of his career when he was laid off in May. As a principal product manager lead on Azure, the news came as a complete shock, not just to him but to his manager, direct reports, and over 6,000 employees across the company. Now 60, Kostersitz has been navigating the uncertainty of life after Microsoft, sharing candid insights about processing layoffs, financial planning, and considering early retirement.
Kostersitz took to LinkedIn to reflect on the emotional toll of the layoffs, emphasising that job loss doesn’t define a person. He encouraged others in similar situations to seek support, lean on community, and remember that their value goes far beyond a job title or company name. Over the past five months, he has landed several interviews but has yet to secure a new role, illustrating the challenges even experienced professionals face in a competitive market.
How did he process the layoff?
In an interview with Business Insider, Kostersitz detailed the moment he learned of his layoff. A routine meeting the previous day seemed normal, but a high-priority calendar invite the next morning delivered the difficult news. He spent the rest of the week processing the shock before beginning his job search. Despite the suddenness, he expressed gratitude for the connections and experiences gained over three decades at Microsoft, though he wished the news had been delivered more personally.
Financially, Kostersitz is in a relatively stable position due to a policy in his ex-company, along with savings, severance, and stock grants. This gives him and his wife about two years of breathing room without touching retirement accounts, providing some cushion as he weighs his next steps.
Kostersitz took to LinkedIn to reflect on the emotional toll of the layoffs, emphasising that job loss doesn’t define a person. He encouraged others in similar situations to seek support, lean on community, and remember that their value goes far beyond a job title or company name. Over the past five months, he has landed several interviews but has yet to secure a new role, illustrating the challenges even experienced professionals face in a competitive market.
How did he process the layoff?
In an interview with Business Insider, Kostersitz detailed the moment he learned of his layoff. A routine meeting the previous day seemed normal, but a high-priority calendar invite the next morning delivered the difficult news. He spent the rest of the week processing the shock before beginning his job search. Despite the suddenness, he expressed gratitude for the connections and experiences gained over three decades at Microsoft, though he wished the news had been delivered more personally.
Financially, Kostersitz is in a relatively stable position due to a policy in his ex-company, along with savings, severance, and stock grants. This gives him and his wife about two years of breathing room without touching retirement accounts, providing some cushion as he weighs his next steps.
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