Laid-Off Amazon Worker Struggles to Find New Job

Joanelle Cobos, a 38-year-old Las Vegas resident, was laid off from Amazon in October and is now facing financial pressure as her job search drags on.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Joanelle Cobos was laid off from her design manager role at Amazon in October, her fourth layoff since 2019. While the initial layoff felt like a 'paid vacation', Cobos is now facing mounting financial pressure as her job search continues. She is targeting smaller companies with more work-from-home flexibility, and is considering taking a lower-paying job with good benefits to supplement income from her own business venture.

Why it matters

Cobos' story highlights the challenges faced by tech workers who have been laid off, as they navigate the job market and try to find financial stability. Her experience of repeated layoffs and the need to carefully manage her finances reflects broader trends in the tech industry.

The details

Cobos had been preparing for the possibility of a layoff at Amazon, having experienced job losses at previous employers. When she was laid off in October, she had built up a $25,000 emergency fund, giving her a financial cushion of about six months. However, as her job search has dragged on, that cushion is starting to dwindle. Cobos is now targeting smaller companies that may offer more work-from-home flexibility, and is open to taking a lower-paying job with good benefits to supplement income from her own business venture.

  • Cobos was laid off from Amazon in October 2025.
  • She plans to use her severance and emergency fund to cover expenses for 10-12 months.

The players

Joanelle Cobos

A 38-year-old job seeker who was laid off from her design manager role at Amazon in October 2025, her fourth layoff since 2019.

Amazon

The tech giant that laid off Cobos in October 2025, a move that has left her struggling to find a new job.

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What they’re saying

“Now, my job search feels like a ticking time bomb, but I'm not in a rush to jump into another large corporation.”

— Joanelle Cobos (Business Insider)

The takeaway

Cobos' story highlights the challenges faced by tech workers who have been laid off, as they navigate the job market and try to find financial stability. Her experience of repeated layoffs and the need to carefully manage her finances reflects broader trends in the tech industry, where job security is increasingly uncertain.