Former Amazon Employee Struggles to Find New Job After Leaving on PIP

Nicholas Jenkins thought finding a new role would be easy after leaving Amazon, but the job search proved much more challenging.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A close-up photograph of a polished metal desk nameplate with the name 'Nicholas Jenkins' engraved on it, floating on a clean white background and dramatically lit from the side to cast a long shadow, representing the abstract corporate challenges and career transitions faced by the subject.A desk nameplate symbolizes the career challenges faced by a former Amazon employee seeking a new path.Houston Today

Nicholas Jenkins, a former program manager at Amazon, was placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP) in 2024 and ultimately decided to accept a termination package and leave the company. He expected to easily find a new job, but struggled for nearly 7 months before landing a market research analyst role at a local credit union consulting firm in his hometown of Houston, Texas.

Why it matters

This story highlights the difficulties some workers face in the current job market, even those with extensive experience, after leaving a major tech company like Amazon. It also underscores the importance of personal networking and relationships in finding new opportunities, especially for those transitioning out of large corporations.

The details

Jenkins started at Amazon in 2020, but in 2022 he felt there was a shift in the company with experimental projects being deprioritized and layoffs increasing. In 2024, Jenkins landed under new management through a reorganization, and soon after was placed on a PIP. Rather than wait it out, Jenkins decided to accept Amazon's termination package in December 2024. However, he then struggled to find a new job for nearly 7 months, only landing a market research analyst role at a local credit union consulting firm in Houston in August 2025 through a connection made via his mother.

  • In 2022, Jenkins felt a shift at Amazon with experimental projects being deprioritized and layoffs increasing.
  • Around August 2024, there were initial conversations about Jenkins' performance, including his proficiency with SQL.
  • Around October 2024, Jenkins was formally placed on Amazon's 'focus' performance improvement program (PIP).
  • In December 2024, Jenkins accepted Amazon's termination package and left the company.
  • In August 2025, Jenkins started a new job as a market research analyst at a local credit union consulting firm in Houston.

The players

Nicholas Jenkins

A former program manager at Amazon who was placed on a performance improvement plan and ultimately left the company in December 2024.

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What they’re saying

“At that point, I was like, I've got to get out of here. This is too stressful. I viewed my departure from Amazon as a win”

— Nicholas Jenkins, Former Amazon Employee

What’s next

The story does not mention any clear future newsworthy moments, so this section is left blank.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges some workers face in the current job market, even those with extensive experience, when transitioning out of large tech companies. It underscores the importance of personal networking and relationships in finding new opportunities, especially for those leaving major corporations.