Lee Givens, Jr., a 57-year-old product manager with over a decade of experience at tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple, found himself in a humbling job search after his contract at Apple ended. Despite his impressive resume, he struggled to find work for months—until he embraced AI and looked beyond Big Tech.
Lee Givens, Jr. struggled to find work after losing his contract job at Apple last year.
A Career at Tech Giants
Givens started at Microsoft in 2011 as a product manager. In 2014, he was among thousands laid off but managed to secure an internal transfer to a program manager role. By 2020, feeling unchallenged and seeking higher pay, he left Microsoft for a product marketing manager position at Meta, working on augmented reality glasses. However, the role didn’t pan out as expected, and he moved to Unity as a global product lead in December 2021.
The AI Awakening After a Layoff
In May 2023, shortly after getting married, Givens was laid off from Unity. With no job lined up, he decided to dive deep into AI, learning frameworks like PyTorch and Modular's MAX. His goal was to understand the technology well enough to communicate effectively with engineers—a skill he knew would be crucial in the evolving job market.
The Apple Contract and a Tough Job Market
After months of searching, Givens landed a contract role at Apple as an engineering program manager in September 2023. His contract was extended every three months, with hopes of converting to a full-time position. However, when Apple required his team to relocate to Cupertino, he and his wife chose to stay in Seattle, leading to the end of his contract in September 2024.
What followed was a challenging six-month job hunt. Givens faced rejection after rejection, a stark contrast to his earlier career where jobs often came through referrals. He described it as a "humbling experience" of sending out hundreds of résumés with little response.
Embracing Opportunities Beyond Big Tech
Initially focused on returning to Apple, Givens eventually broadened his search. He started responding to LinkedIn messages from recruiters he would have previously ignored—including one from Toyota. The company offered a staff product manager role at its Woven by Toyota subsidiary and agreed to move the position to Seattle.
Lee Givens, Jr. decided to learn about AI frameworks as he looked for a new role.
After two-and-a-half months of interviews, Givens joined Toyota in April 2025. He now earns a six-figure salary with total compensation higher than his previous roles at Meta and Apple. His AI knowledge has become central to his work, and he credits this learning journey for helping him secure the job.
Key Takeaways from the Journey
Givens emphasizes that during major technological shifts—like the rise of AI—professionals must reinvent themselves and dive deep into new technologies. He also advises against getting pigeonholed; being open to industries outside Big Tech can lead to unexpected opportunities. Additionally, he reflects that rushing to switch jobs isn’t always wise, but leaving Microsoft set him on a path to learning AI, which has proven invaluable.
Today, Givens is happy at Toyota, appreciating the company’s culture and the impact he can make in a smaller subsidiary. His story is a testament to adaptability and the power of embracing change in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
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