He spent 31 years at Microsoft. Then he was laid off — and had to relearn how to job hunt.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Mike Kostersitz
Mike Kostersitz

Mike Kostersitz

I switched from a corporate career to launching an AI-native company with no tech background. I knew the time was now.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A man smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a black zip-up jacket over a dark shirt.
Tim DeSoto was a senior director at Walmart. Now he's launching an AI-native startup.

Courtesy of Tim DeSoto

Job hunting's newest rules — and whether they actually work

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Environment
Three check boxes and two people shaking hands on the third one

Getty Images; Tyler Le/BI

I quit my tech job to grind tree stumps. I'm outdoors, working with my hands, on my own schedule, and making a good living.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
headshot of a man in a white t-shirt in a field
Tyler Mumford.

Courtesy of Tyler Mumford

I thought I was working towards something I wanted, then I realized I was living someone else's life

Tech Insider : Business
Author, Erin Coupe.
Erin Coupe's "I Can Fit That In: How Rituals (Not Routines) Transform Your Life" is out November 5th.

Courtesy of Chloe Camille Sheldon via Erin Coupe

I left a VP-level role in Big Tech and now I work with startups. It's more unpredictable, but startup life is invigorating.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Robert E. Williams sitting in a chair and smiling
Robert E Williams left a career in Big Tech after 15 years to work with startups.

Robert E. Williams

I accepted a job at Google, but couldn't afford Bay Area rent. I lived in my car for 3 months to make it work.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Kento poses near a winter-themed Google logo set up in an office building.
I spent three months living in my car while working at Google.

Kento Morita

I'm the CEO of an AI company based in the US and India. Seattle and Bengaluru have pros and cons — here's how I make it work.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Technology
Left: Siddhant Masson; Right: A tech park in Bengaluru
Masson launched Wokelo AI in 2023.

Courtesy of Wokelo Inc.

I'm a former Amazon recruiter and this is the toughest job market I've ever seen. These 3 steps will help you stand out.

Tech Insider : Business
Lindsay Mustain
Lindsay Mustain, a former Amazon recruiter, said the current job market is the toughest she's seen.

Arlene Chambers Photography

Reese Witherspoon says being anxious was her biggest career advantage

Tech Insider : Business
Reese Witherspoon.
Reese Witherspoon says her anxiety and the pressure she put on herself to perform played a major role in her professional success.

TheStewartofNY/WireImage

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