Post-Block survival guide: How to handle the next few weeks

I was one of the thousands impacted by the 7/9 cuts. I’m still in a bit of shock, but I wanted to share a few things for those currently navigating the fallout. First, take a breath. It’s easy to get caught up in the anger towards leadership, and while that’s valid, don't let it consume the energy you need for your search. Focus on your severance package—get every document saved locally before they cut your access if they haven't already. I reached out to my manager immediately to ask for a letter of recommendation, and surprisingly, they were willing to provide a strong one. Don't be afraid to ask for that now while things are still 'fresh' and people are feeling guilty about the process. Ignore the public statements about AI taking our jobs. The tech industry loves a boogeyman, and right now, the boogeyman is a LLM. It’s just cover for the fact that fintech has become bloated and investors are tightening the screws. Don't internalize this as a failure of your skill set. You didn't lose your job to an algorithm; you lost it to a balance sheet adjustment. Reach out to your network—I've already had three former colleagues offer to look at my resume this afternoon. We’re all in the same boat, so let’s help each other get to the next landing spot.