India, Oct. 26 -- A man who gave two decades of his life to Microsoft was laid off by the tech giant in May this year. Joe Friend, 62, is still trying to figure out what he will do next, but he is sure of one thing - he won't be returning to Big Tech.

Friend spoke to Business Insider about his three stints at Microsoft, his learnings on the job, the financial impact of being laid off and more.

When Joe Friend began hearing rumours that Microsoft was going to carry out layoffs that would affect managers, he wasn't overly bothered. Friend, a director of product management overseeing a team of nine, did not think his role was in jeopardy.

However, in May, he was informed that he was being let go. Friend's job was terminated along with 14 ...