Microsoft sacked him after 31 years in a 120-person call - now this 60-year-old is building a new future
After spending more than three decades at Microsoft, Washington resident Mike Kostersitz never expected his career to end in a mass video call. But like thousands of tech workers caught in a wave of layoffs, he suddenly found himself back on the job market for the first time in 31 years. Now, at 60, he’s learning how to rebuild in a changed industry.
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How did the layoff unfold for Mike Kostersitz?
For Washington resident Mike Kostersitz, May began like any other month in his 31-year career at Microsoft, until a mysterious “high-priority” meeting suddenly appeared on his calendar. The longtime principal product manager lead said he had no warning that the call would end his decades-long run at the company, as per a report by Moneywise.
“Me and 120 other anonymous faces got told our jobs had been eliminated,” he told Business Insider. After more than three decades at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, the abrupt nature of the call left him stunned. “After 31 years, you would expect at least your manager or your VP or somebody to come to you and say, ‘Hey Mike, this is going to happen and here is why.’”
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The news hit hard not only because of the suddenness, but because the job market he is stepping into looks nothing like the tech landscape he once knew. A few years earlier, he presented an “architectural deep dive” in a YouTube video, identifying himself as a PM lead on the Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Stack HCI (AKS-HCI) team. Now, he’s one of thousands of seasoned workers navigating a job search shaped by automation, AI tools, and broader industry belt-tightening, as per a report by Moneywise.
Kostersitz admitted the shift felt disorienting, comparing it to being dropped into unfamiliar waters after decades of stability. But despite the shock, he hasn’t lost momentum. Recently, he hinted on LinkedIn that “something exciting is brewing,” adding that he feels “grateful, fired up and ready to lace up for what’s ahead.”
Microsoft’s job cuts mirror much larger changes playing out across the tech world. In the past year, companies like Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet have reduced staff dramatically, each citing different versions of the same trend: realignment, automation and soaring AI investment.
Amazon cut 14,000 roles in October, noting its strategic shift toward AI automation. Meta eliminated around 600 jobs across its “superintelligence” division, while Alphabet trimmed positions within its cloud unit.
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According to the executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, cost-cutting and AI were the top reasons employers cited for job reductions in October. The so-called “DOGE impact” continues to be the leading reason for layoffs in 2025 overall, as per a report by Moneywise.
The numbers reveal the scale of disruption: the tech industry announced 33,281 job cuts in October 2025, a dramatic leap from 5,639 in September, and the highest total among all private sectors that month. For the year, tech firms have reported 141,159 job cuts, up 17% from the same period in 2024.
While U.S. unemployment is still relatively low, competition for tech jobs has intensified. Many openings now require up-to-date skills across AI, automation and data science, areas where even experienced workers often must catch up quickly, as per a report by Moneywise.
Like many laid-off workers, Kostersitz needed time to take in what had happened. He said he took the rest of the week off before beginning his job search, noting how important it was to pause and regroup after such a major life change, as per a report by Moneywise.
Some employers, including Microsoft, provide career services or financial guidance as part of a severance package. Kostersitz told Business Insider that Microsoft included a career advisor in its layoff package, and he also hired a private coach to help with resumes, cover letters and optimizing his LinkedIn presence. For anyone facing a layoff, asking about available internal resources can provide a major advantage, especially in a crowded market.
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He also acknowledged how much the tech world has shifted, saying that reentering the job market after 31 years felt like being a “fish out of water.” Staying current on emerging tools — especially AI-related technologies — has become a crucial part of the process. Free courses, updated certifications and targeted training can help bridge knowledge gaps and boost a candidate’s visibility to recruiters, as per a report by Moneywise.
With layoffs rising across the tech sector, financial preparation matters too. Experts advise bolstering emergency savings, updating resumes regularly and staying ready for the possibility of sudden job changes. Even workers who feel secure are encouraged to keep their skills and networks active, as per a report by Moneywise.
Kostersitz’s experience reflects a pivotal moment for thousands of tech workers. While the layoffs of 2025 have reshaped the industry, his story shows that resilience, preparation, and a willingness to adapt can open the door to new possibilities, even after 31 years with the same company.
He worked at the company for 31 years before being dismissed alongside 120 others.
What trend is his layoff part of?
His experience reflects a surge in tech layoffs tied to cost-cutting and the rise of AI and automation.
ALSO READ: Erika Kirk reveals heartbreaking prayer she made moments after Charlie Kirk’s death- here's what she wished for
How did the layoff unfold for Mike Kostersitz?
For Washington resident Mike Kostersitz, May began like any other month in his 31-year career at Microsoft, until a mysterious “high-priority” meeting suddenly appeared on his calendar. The longtime principal product manager lead said he had no warning that the call would end his decades-long run at the company, as per a report by Moneywise.
“Me and 120 other anonymous faces got told our jobs had been eliminated,” he told Business Insider. After more than three decades at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, the abrupt nature of the call left him stunned. “After 31 years, you would expect at least your manager or your VP or somebody to come to you and say, ‘Hey Mike, this is going to happen and here is why.’”
ALSO READ: Why didn't Barack and Michelle Obama attend Dick Cheney's funeral? Here's the reason
The news hit hard not only because of the suddenness, but because the job market he is stepping into looks nothing like the tech landscape he once knew. A few years earlier, he presented an “architectural deep dive” in a YouTube video, identifying himself as a PM lead on the Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Stack HCI (AKS-HCI) team. Now, he’s one of thousands of seasoned workers navigating a job search shaped by automation, AI tools, and broader industry belt-tightening, as per a report by Moneywise.
Kostersitz admitted the shift felt disorienting, comparing it to being dropped into unfamiliar waters after decades of stability. But despite the shock, he hasn’t lost momentum. Recently, he hinted on LinkedIn that “something exciting is brewing,” adding that he feels “grateful, fired up and ready to lace up for what’s ahead.”
Why are tech layoffs rising so sharply?
Microsoft’s job cuts mirror much larger changes playing out across the tech world. In the past year, companies like Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet have reduced staff dramatically, each citing different versions of the same trend: realignment, automation and soaring AI investment.
Amazon cut 14,000 roles in October, noting its strategic shift toward AI automation. Meta eliminated around 600 jobs across its “superintelligence” division, while Alphabet trimmed positions within its cloud unit.
ALSO READ: When are the Black Friday Sales of 2025? Early Black Friday deals arrive weeks ahead on Amazon, Walmart, Target & more
According to the executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, cost-cutting and AI were the top reasons employers cited for job reductions in October. The so-called “DOGE impact” continues to be the leading reason for layoffs in 2025 overall, as per a report by Moneywise.
The numbers reveal the scale of disruption: the tech industry announced 33,281 job cuts in October 2025, a dramatic leap from 5,639 in September, and the highest total among all private sectors that month. For the year, tech firms have reported 141,159 job cuts, up 17% from the same period in 2024.
While U.S. unemployment is still relatively low, competition for tech jobs has intensified. Many openings now require up-to-date skills across AI, automation and data science, areas where even experienced workers often must catch up quickly, as per a report by Moneywise.
What steps can workers take after losing a job?
Like many laid-off workers, Kostersitz needed time to take in what had happened. He said he took the rest of the week off before beginning his job search, noting how important it was to pause and regroup after such a major life change, as per a report by Moneywise.
Some employers, including Microsoft, provide career services or financial guidance as part of a severance package. Kostersitz told Business Insider that Microsoft included a career advisor in its layoff package, and he also hired a private coach to help with resumes, cover letters and optimizing his LinkedIn presence. For anyone facing a layoff, asking about available internal resources can provide a major advantage, especially in a crowded market.
ALSO READ: What does 67 mean, who made the 67 meme and why is it so popular?
He also acknowledged how much the tech world has shifted, saying that reentering the job market after 31 years felt like being a “fish out of water.” Staying current on emerging tools — especially AI-related technologies — has become a crucial part of the process. Free courses, updated certifications and targeted training can help bridge knowledge gaps and boost a candidate’s visibility to recruiters, as per a report by Moneywise.
With layoffs rising across the tech sector, financial preparation matters too. Experts advise bolstering emergency savings, updating resumes regularly and staying ready for the possibility of sudden job changes. Even workers who feel secure are encouraged to keep their skills and networks active, as per a report by Moneywise.
Kostersitz’s experience reflects a pivotal moment for thousands of tech workers. While the layoffs of 2025 have reshaped the industry, his story shows that resilience, preparation, and a willingness to adapt can open the door to new possibilities, even after 31 years with the same company.
FAQs
How long did Mike Kostersitz work at Microsoft before being laid off?He worked at the company for 31 years before being dismissed alongside 120 others.
What trend is his layoff part of?
His experience reflects a surge in tech layoffs tied to cost-cutting and the rise of AI and automation.