Overview
- Mike Kostersitz, 60, learned his role was eliminated in May during a large virtual meeting after 31 years at Microsoft.
- He was part of roughly 6,000 reductions that a company spokesperson said focused on cutting management layers and streamlining processes.
- He has interviewed with several employers, including Nvidia and Nike, but has not secured an offer.
- Severance, savings, and Microsoft’s “55 and 15” policy keep his stock vesting, providing about two years of financial cushion without tapping retirement funds.
- He hired a private career coach and used a company-provided advisor who recommended “de-aging” his résumé by removing older roles, highlighting challenges for long‑tenured workers.