I was put on a PIP at Amazon and took an offer to leave. I thought finding a new job would be easy — I was wrong.

• While working at Amazon, Nicholas Jenkins was included in a performance improvement plan.

• He received a severance package in December 2024 and was surprised to find how difficult it was to get hired.

• After moving to Houston and leveraging her personal network, she finally found a job.

This article, as told, is based on a conversation with Nicholas Jenkins, a market research analyst in his 40s living in Texas. He previously worked as a program manager at Amazon until he left the company in December 2024 after being placed on a performance improvement plan. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I started works at amazon In 2020.

I felt there was a change within the company starting in 2022 and some experimental projects deprioritized. Layoffs and restructurings took During this period, an organizational conflict is created.

My role as a Seattle-based program manager still seemed pretty secure. But I figured if the layoffs continued, I would eventually be affected.

I didn’t realize at the time that anything other than layoffs would put my job at risk.

Business Insider speaks with employees who find themselves at a corporate crossroads due to a layoff, resignation, job search or changing workplace expectations.

Share your story with by filling out this formContact this reporter via email at jzinkula@businessinsider.com or via Signal at jzinkula.29.

The writing was on the wall when I connected to PIP

In 2024, it came under new management through restructuring. It didn’t seem like a good fit, but I wasn’t too worried. I thought my work was critical and that for the most part the quality spoke for itself. I was even fishing for a promotion.

Around August 2024, there were some initial conversations about my performance, including my proficiency with the SQL programming language. I felt like I was being evaluated by standards beyond the scope of my role. Despite how I felt, the writing was on the wall.

I was officially placed on Amazon around October “focus” performance improvement program (PIP).

At that point I was like: I need to get out of here. This is very stressful.

I saw my departure from Amazon as a victory

I was eventually offered a termination package that included several months of severance pay. Instead of buying it right away, I decided to buy it. Continue PIP So I was able to buy time until my shares ran out. Leaving earlier would have meant leaving money on the table.

Then in December I accepted the package and left.

Even though I didn’t get promoted, I was there long enough for my stocks to run out. It was a victory.

When I parted ways with Amazon, I was under the impression that I would start a new job. In the past, I felt like all I had to do was apply for a position and I would get it.

But I underestimated How tough is the job market? likely. I didn’t get nearly the same attention as in the past, and it seemed like companies were lining up talent but hesitant to hire.

I did about two to three phone showings a month — including one done via TikTok after a recruiter reached out to me — but didn’t get an offer.

I developed a ‘last mile strategy’ to get an offer

Afterwards I’m having trouble finding a job For about five months I realized that I needed what I call “”.last mile strategy“To help me not only get interviews but also get offers. In the current market, building relationships and getting the inside scoop on a business is so important.

My first step in implementing this strategy was: moving from Seattle I returned to my hometown of Houston in July 2025. I had a strong network there and was hoping that would give me an advantage.

Then I upgraded my wardrobe and bought a few new suits because Seattle was a more relaxed environment than Houston.

I started attending job fairs and networking events. I once talked to a friend who worked at a credit union in Houston. This conversation helped me learn about credit unions, and it came in handy when I finally made some progress about a month later.

My advice: shake hands and kiss babies

My mother is a dental assistant in the Houston area, and one of her practice’s clients is the owner of a local credit union consulting firm. My mother told the landlady about me and he suggested we talk.

My earlier conversation with my friend helped me talk intelligently about the industry during my interview with the company owner, who later offered me the market research analyst job.

About seven months after leaving Amazon, I took a new job and started in August 2025. Over time, I feel that I have been able to showcase my talents and carve my own path within the company.

My advice to other job seekers is to focus less on job applications and more on your personal networks. You need to get out there, shake hands, kiss babies and develop relationships to create your next opportunity.

Editor’s note: Amazon representatives declined to comment.

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