Hemant Virmani, a senior software development manager, was laid off from Amazon after nearly 12 years during the October 2025 cuts. Despite the initial shock, he has adopted a proactive mindset, viewing the event as an opportunity to prioritize his health and modernize his skill set.
Finding Inspiration in Family
Virmani credits his teenage daughter for his positive outlook. Observing her resilience during a difficult personal situation taught him that challenges should not prevent one from showing up for themselves. This shift in perspective helped him control his reaction, remain calm, and focus on future opportunities rather than dwelling on the past.
Professional Pivot and Upskilling
To stay relevant in the changing tech landscape, Virmani is dedicating significant time to hands-on AI projects. While he used AI tools at Amazon, he is now building with them directly to transition from being reactive to proactive in the industry. He is currently applying for engineering leadership roles that offer high customer impact.
Prioritizing Health and Networking
Post-layoff, Virmani shifted his top priority from work to physical health, establishing a rigorous gym routine. Additionally, he leveraged LinkedIn to announce his status, resulting in renewed connections with former colleagues and multiple job leads. His advice to others is to remember that layoffs are environmental, not personal, and to focus on the future.
Mentoring question
When facing an unexpected career transition, how can you reframe the situation to focus on proactive skill-building and personal health rather than reactive panic?