Recent reports indicate a significant increase in job cuts across the United States, marking the highest levels seen since 2020. Employers have announced over 172,000 job cuts in February, a staggering 245% surge compared to previous months, driven largely by layoffs in the federal government and trends within the retail sector. This wave of layoffs has raised concerns about the overall job market, plunging many workers into a more competitive environment. Industry experts discuss the implications of these developments, especially for federal employees, and offer strategies for navigating the tumultuous labor landscape.