Should You Return to Work for a Former Employer?

If Steve Jobs can do it, why can’t you? In an age of increased job promiscuity, people in today’s employment market are changing jobs far more frequently than they did 20 years ago. With this increase in employee turnover and a finite amount of positions within certain industries, it could be inevitable that you end up looking at a former employer as a viable place to work. Over the years, I have worked for numerous companies that were staffed by people who were on their second (even third) tours of duty. This is a far more common practice than you may have believed.

Here are some things you should consider before deciding whether or not to return to a former employer:

Remember Why You Left

Even the most horrific relationships had their positive moments; and, often, it is these moments that we recall most easily. It is due to this selective recollection that can lead people to repeat similar mistakes over and again. When looking to return to a former place of employment, do your best to recognise these thinking patterns.

Try and remember why you left in the first place and determine if those circumstances are still relevant. Were you frustrated by a lack of upward mobility? Or were you not being compensated fairly? Did you clash with your manager? You need to be extremely confident that your original reasons for leaving are no longer a factor before making a decision to return.

Is It the Right Fit?

Much like personal relationships, it can be extremely comforting to return to something familiar. There is no shame to admitting that we all feel safer within our respective comfort zones. And, undoubtedly, a former employer does provide a certain level of comfort. However, you need to be judicious and critical when considering a return. You need to ask yourself whether this move benefits your career in both the short-and long-term. If you are looking to make this move as a stop-gap measure, you should re-consider. You should only be looking to return to a former employer if the position and company provide you with a satisfying short- and long-term projection.

Do Your Homework

If your old boss calls you up and offers your old job back, you would be best to take what they say with a grain of salt. Employers have a vested interest in recruiting the best possible candidates so, regardless of the employer, you should perform a certain amount of due diligence. Assuming you still have contacts within the company, you would be best served to get in touch with them and discuss the possibility of your return.

Additionally, try and research the company’s industry performance and see if there are any warning signs. In essence, just because you know the company does not mean you should neglect to research them properly.

Don’t Overvalue Loyalty

It is undoubtedly flattering to know that someone out there wants you back – be it for personal or professional reasons. When it comes to business, the individual will always value loyalty over the business. Simply put, an individual has feelings that a company does not. As such, it can be very conflicting when a former employer comes knocking and it can very tempting to make decisions out of misguided feelings of loyalty or indebtedness. Yes, there are difficult emotions to tease apart when looking to make a big decision, but they are essential.

Don’t Be Too Proud

On the other hand, many people often discard the notion of returning to a former employer as it can feel like taking a step backwards or returning to a place where they were once unwanted or underappreciated. Whatever the reason, pride should never be a reason to dismiss out-of-hand a career opportunity. In your absence, the company may have grown or shifted tremendously and could be in a position to offer you a career-changing opportunity.

Re-negotiate Everything

Just because you are a returning employee does not mean that you are immune from negotiating the terms of your employment. You should approach all employment negotiations in the same way, regardless if the person across the table is your old boss. This negotiation will help set the tone for your future at the company so be sure to make sure that you are comfortable with all the terms involved.

Some people blindly adopt a policy of never returning to a former employer; they feel that there are no new challenges involved in returning to a familiar position. While this may be true, it doesn’t hurt to determine this for a fact. To wit, there is never any harm in following any and all employment leads, regardless of their origin. Worst case, you will feel ratified in your decision to have left said company. Best case, you may have an interesting new career opportunity. As with most things in life, having blinders on can impede progress.

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