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In this blog, we’ll be taking a moment to support those who have been affected by recent layoffs in the Learning & Development industry – or any L&D professional who’s simply looking to take the next step in their career. We’re going to explore practical tips that will help you with your job search, and celebrate the power of community not just for your next role, but for your mental health.
If you’re an L&D professional navigating a career crossroads, the good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. There’s a whole, wide-reaching web of networks that interact and overlap, made up of L&D pros just like you. Whether it’s sharing job leads, reviewing CV’s, or simply lending an empathetic ear, the right support network can make a world of difference.
Here’s how to navigate the current state of the industry with community by your side, plus the best groups and resources to plug into.
One of the best and most gratifying things about the L&D space is that it’s filled with kind and generous people who just “get it.” We’ve got first-hand experience of this at Thrive; our yearly customer conference (Thrive Live – watch this space for a 2025 announcement!) is a hotbed of productive and supportive conversations from L&D pros who work across a range of sectors.
Networking is a skill that can be taught and developed over time, not something everyone is innately born with. So don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t come naturally at first. We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable moment of standing on the periphery of a conversation, clutching our champagne glass like it’s a life raft, and trying to assess the best moment to jump in and introduce ourselves. Reaching out to people (whether in person or online) is going to feel daunting; that’s unfortunately unavoidable. But it’s through this discomfort that you grow, expand your network, and eventually uncover new opportunities.
If you’re having trouble getting started, here are a few prompts.
Ask your connections to:
And don’t be afraid to post about your situation on LinkedIn. It might seem counterintuitive, but posts that speak honestly about redundancy tend to perform well, and spark meaningful connections amongst others in a similar situation. Just be clear about exactly what you’re looking for and the kind of roles that excite you.
There are some brilliant communities out there made for (and by!) professionals in L&D and beyond. These groups give you a space to swap ideas, get inspired, and meet people in your industry – or even your next employer.
Here are some of our top picks:
L&D Shakers is a supportive, inclusive community that aims to: “create a safe space, enabling and guiding L&D professionals to connect, grow and take bold actions every day.”
It’s a global community, whose LinkedIn page regularly hosts events and projects such as “Shakers ThoughtLab” (exploring different L&D topics in detail through discussion and best practice sharing from experts), “Shakers Playground” (testing out new tools, methods, and applying skills to get real-time feedback), “Socialising Shakers” (monthly networking events for members), and many more.
They also host a podcast, provide coaching, and host a yearly conference.
Run by and for learning professionals, this group’s purpose is “to create a community where we can all learn and grow together!”
The Learning Network is a membership programme fuelled by a passion for learning, and offering events, mentoring, awards and discounts on industry conferences. They’ve also got a great directory of freelancers and vendors; perfect if you’re going solo.
They also have a presence on Linkedin, Twitter/X, and YouTube.
Founded in 2022 by our very own Helen Marshall, WomenIn is a support network amplifying the voices of women in L&D, HR, and People teams. From its humble beginnings as an informal WhatsApp group, the community has steadily grown from 50, to 300, to 500, to its current membership which sits at over 900 people from all over the world.
The group is a brilliant way to connect, find role models, and access career advice – whether that’s through a quick message in the WhatsApp group, an informal meetup, or attending a panel.
If you’ve got some time on your hands, use it to sharpen your skills or even explore something entirely new. There are plenty of free and affordable resources out there, including:
Not only does learning keep your brain active, it’s a great way to stay confident and gives you something meaningful to share in interviews.
Redundancy is just a plot twist in your wider story, not the end of it!
And like any good story, the next chapter could be even better than the last. Whether you’re after your next in-house role or considering a freelance leap, the right community can help you find your fit again.
Could Thrive be your next chapter? Browse our open roles here.
You’ve got this.
Explore what impact Thrive could make for your team and your learners today.
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In this blog, we’ll be taking a moment to support those who have been affected by recent layoffs in the Learning & Development industry – or any L&D professional who’s simply looking to take the next step in their career. We’re going to explore practical tips that will help you with your job search, and celebrate the power of community not just for your next role, but for your mental health.
If you’re an L&D professional navigating a career crossroads, the good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. There’s a whole, wide-reaching web of networks that interact and overlap, made up of L&D pros just like you. Whether it’s sharing job leads, reviewing CV’s, or simply lending an empathetic ear, the right support network can make a world of difference.
Here’s how to navigate the current state of the industry with community by your side, plus the best groups and resources to plug into.
One of the best and most gratifying things about the L&D space is that it’s filled with kind and generous people who just “get it.” We’ve got first-hand experience of this at Thrive; our yearly customer conference (Thrive Live – watch this space for a 2025 announcement!) is a hotbed of productive and supportive conversations from L&D pros who work across a range of sectors.
Networking is a skill that can be taught and developed over time, not something everyone is innately born with. So don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t come naturally at first. We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable moment of standing on the periphery of a conversation, clutching our champagne glass like it’s a life raft, and trying to assess the best moment to jump in and introduce ourselves. Reaching out to people (whether in person or online) is going to feel daunting; that’s unfortunately unavoidable. But it’s through this discomfort that you grow, expand your network, and eventually uncover new opportunities.
If you’re having trouble getting started, here are a few prompts.
Ask your connections to:
And don’t be afraid to post about your situation on LinkedIn. It might seem counterintuitive, but posts that speak honestly about redundancy tend to perform well, and spark meaningful connections amongst others in a similar situation. Just be clear about exactly what you’re looking for and the kind of roles that excite you.
There are some brilliant communities out there made for (and by!) professionals in L&D and beyond. These groups give you a space to swap ideas, get inspired, and meet people in your industry – or even your next employer.
Here are some of our top picks:
L&D Shakers is a supportive, inclusive community that aims to: “create a safe space, enabling and guiding L&D professionals to connect, grow and take bold actions every day.”
It’s a global community, whose LinkedIn page regularly hosts events and projects such as “Shakers ThoughtLab” (exploring different L&D topics in detail through discussion and best practice sharing from experts), “Shakers Playground” (testing out new tools, methods, and applying skills to get real-time feedback), “Socialising Shakers” (monthly networking events for members), and many more.
They also host a podcast, provide coaching, and host a yearly conference.
Run by and for learning professionals, this group’s purpose is “to create a community where we can all learn and grow together!”
The Learning Network is a membership programme fuelled by a passion for learning, and offering events, mentoring, awards and discounts on industry conferences. They’ve also got a great directory of freelancers and vendors; perfect if you’re going solo.
They also have a presence on Linkedin, Twitter/X, and YouTube.
Founded in 2022 by our very own Helen Marshall, WomenIn is a support network amplifying the voices of women in L&D, HR, and People teams. From its humble beginnings as an informal WhatsApp group, the community has steadily grown from 50, to 300, to 500, to its current membership which sits at over 900 people from all over the world.
The group is a brilliant way to connect, find role models, and access career advice – whether that’s through a quick message in the WhatsApp group, an informal meetup, or attending a panel.
If you’ve got some time on your hands, use it to sharpen your skills or even explore something entirely new. There are plenty of free and affordable resources out there, including:
Not only does learning keep your brain active, it’s a great way to stay confident and gives you something meaningful to share in interviews.
Redundancy is just a plot twist in your wider story, not the end of it!
And like any good story, the next chapter could be even better than the last. Whether you’re after your next in-house role or considering a freelance leap, the right community can help you find your fit again.
Could Thrive be your next chapter? Browse our open roles here.
You’ve got this.
Explore what impact Thrive could make for your team and your learners today.
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