The wave of layoffs continues to shake the global tech industry. On Tuesday, May 13, Microsoft announced major job cuts affecting nearly 6,000 employees—around 3% of its total workforce. The decision comes despite the company posting strong sales and profits. Rather than riding the high of a successful financial quarter, Microsoft is opting for one of its largest layoff rounds since January 2023, when it slashed 10,000 jobs—5% of its workforce at the time.
Amazon has also trimmed its workforce recently, laying off around 100 employees from its devices and services division, which handles products like Kindle, Echo, Alexa, and its self-driving unit Zoox.
Amid this uncertainty, a social media post from a tech worker who was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) has gone viral. The employee shared a personal turnaround story: “Getting PIPed was the best thing that happened to me. I thought it was the end—I’d failed interviews twice at Google before. But this time, I cracked it. From now on, the strategy is clear: interview and GTFO the moment I feel undervalued. To everyone venting on Blind—take action. There are only two kinds of people: whiners and winners. And when you do win, don’t forget to flip a finger to your current employer.”
The post sparked a wave of reactions. One user commented, “Let the young blazing blood cool down first! Congrats, but remember, you’re the CEO of your career. Hustling is the new normal. If you’re doing the same thing, same tech stack, same role, same employer for more than two years, you’re already becoming irrelevant. After five years? Practically invisible. Good luck.”
Another user asked a practical question, “How did you explain leaving your last company during interviews?”While a recent graduate shared their struggle, “I’m not even getting interviews.”
What is a PIP?
A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a formal process designed to help underperforming employees meet expectations. It outlines specific areas for improvement, sets measurable goals, and establishes a timeline for progress. While being placed on a PIP doesn’t automatically mean termination, failure to meet the outlined goals can result in demotion, dismissal, or other disciplinary action. Conversely, successful completion of a PIP often leads to retention and continued employment. In today’s volatile tech landscape, PIPs are increasingly viewed as a fork in the road—either a final warning or an unexpected launchpad for career reinvention.