When Rylan received three months’ working notice in 2023, he faced a moment of disappointment and worry, but instead of dwelling on the uncertainty, he seized the opportunity to focus on his passion: a career in human resources.
Finding Focus, Embracing Support
Rylan was juggling multiple commitments when he received the notice. In addition to his full-time job, he ran a dog treat business and several other side hustles.
“I saw the layoff as an opportunity to focus on one thing,” Raylan explains. “I dropped the side hustles and decided HR is really what I want to focus on.”
The day of his notice, Rylan signed up for Thrive’s platform. One of the first services he accessed was career coaching with Marta, an expert career coach and HR professional from Gallagher Benefit Services Canada.
“She could easily relate to me and suggest job titles to search for,” he shares. “So many companies call their people different things, knowing what terms to search for was really helpful, but also suggestions of companies.”
Rylan also benefited from:
- Cover letter guidance that enabled him to stand out
- Resume reviews that sharpened his presentation
- Mock interviews that built his interview capabilities
- Networking webinars that expanded his connections
- Masterclass courses that enhanced his business communication skills
The Power of Networking
Leveraging Thrive's advice on networking, Rylan reconnected with former colleagues.
"I found my current role through a friend, a manager who had also worked at the firm, who was let go. She saw it before I did, and she sent it to me, and I could reach out to the team because I had worked there for so long previously."
The networking strategies Rylan learned proved invaluable:
"So through those networks, which was really encouraged through Thrive's platform networking, not being afraid to ask for help, when you see mutual contacts and networks and reaching out and getting an interview."
A Seamless Return
Coming back to his former company was surprisingly comfortable.
“It really didn’t feel like a lot changed,” Rylan reflects. “I walked into the office. My group of tax people was sitting in the same spot at lunch. They went to the same place and played the same card games that they had eight months previously."
He even made his return a surprise: "It was just really exciting to be able to see them surprised. I didn't tell a lot of them that I was going back. I thought I'd surprise them. So that was certainly a fun thing to do, to walk in and have some of the higher levels go, 'Oh, why are you here?' And then I got to share the good news with them."
The Thrive Advantage
Rylan's journey shows how the right support can help employees quickly move from uncertainty to opportunity. His advice for others facing similar transitions:
"If you have the opportunity, go all-in on it. If you're unsure how to proceed or what to use exactly. Connect with one of their representatives. Ask them where you're feeling nervous or what you're unsure about, and what on the platform you can focus on using to help you move forward."
By partnering with Thrive, your organization can demonstrate genuine care and support for its departing employees, strengthening trust and goodwill.
Schedule a demo today, and discover why leading organizations choose Thrive to support their employees through workforce transitions.
Let's chat about supporting your
people with Thrive.
Our team will be in contact within 2 business days.
