Someone from my previous place of employment recently contacted me and offered me a job. It is a step up from where I was (though it’ll involve similar work) and also will involve some additional duties in an area I’m very interested in working. I just left the company last year.
The money is OK - slightly more than what I’m making now, but not so much I’m normally consider jumping ship to some random company. I do miss the environment and I fit into the culture there better. I am interested that they’re under different ownership now, and apparently things are a-changing. I mostly left for financial reasons, not that there aren’t usually a lot of little reasons too, and while their offer isn’t a blockbuster from where I am now, it’s a lot more (30% more) than I was making a year ago (I was pretty underpaid).
They seem really interested, but it’s a small company so it’s not easy for them to make a huge offer. While there are no guarantees, he repeatedly emphasized that if the new duties work out, the compensation may increase significantly in the short term. Even if not, these new duties would be really helpful for my career path and would also give me a lot more involvement in the company. Also, for what it’s worth, I hate my job right now and am actively looking to move elsewhere in the company, so that’s a factor, too.
There are a lot of pros and cons to either side, but mostly I’m interested in experiences with returning to a previous workplace, or opinions. Would you ever? Any concerns you’d have?
It sounds like in your situation, it may be beneficial for you to take the position because in the long run it will advance you further than if you stay at your present company. It didn’t seem like you had a problem with the people there and it’s under new ownership so it might be a win-win situation.
For me, I’ve left 4 different jobs for similiar reasons (3 for bad management, 1 for weather conditions) and wouldn’t even accept a conversation about returning to any of them. I’ve only more on to better jobs since.
I’m not sure how relevant it is, since the time span involved was so short, but late last year I was let go from my company for financial reasons, then rehired two weeks later when it turned out they’d let go one too many people.
Personally, as long as you didn’t leave on poor terms, you liked the old place, and it’s a step up for you, I’d say go for it. The best thing about a situation like that is that they want you back. There’s very little that can tell you that you’re valued at a company like that can. It’s great for confidence and morale, and unless they’re jerks who just plan to use you, you stand to gain more benefits as the company prospers because you’ve been recognized in that way.
The only thing I’d be wary of is the not-quite-promised increased compensation. That sounds dangerously like a phantom worm on a hook. But there, it’s up to you and your past experience with the company to determine how solid that possibility is.
I did, once, and it was a bad idea. Like your situation, I had left the company the previous year, and was called with an offer to go back, with higher compensation and more duties. Unfortunately, I was reminded of why I left in the first place: My supervisor was a complete jerk. When I returned to the company, I went to a different division, and the previous supervisor wasn’t supposed to be involved. He got a promotion, however, and became regional manager of the division I worked for. His psycho-micro-management style directly resulted in my decision to leave the company a second time. (Which sucked, because, other than that one guy, I loved my job, my co-workers, etc.)
But if the only reason you left was financial, and you otherwise enjoyed working for that company, AND you’re actively looking for another job anyway, I’d say go for it.
In this case it’s a hard call because of a lot of changes, and there is the risk that the stuff I liked (flexibility, low-stress) might go away. But I talked to the person who will be the effective manager company-wide as well as who I directly report to and he sold me on his commitment. In the past he was not my favorite for various reasons, but I felt like he was aware of this and really explained where he was coming from and a lot of behind-the-scenes reasons as to why things were the way that they were.
I’m leery that this is an attempt to work themselves out of an immediate bind but the more that I talk to them, the more I don’t think so. I think they genuinely think I’m a good fit for what they’re planning and they seem pretty excited as to the stuff that’s happening right now. The whole vibe of the deal and what’s going on, at least from this individual, was really encouraging. There’s always the chance that I’m wrong I guess, and that would suck to jump between jobs repeatedly if it came down to it, but I don’t think that’s what’s going on.
Granted, there’s risk. But at the same time, I don’t like my job now and was considering looking outside the company. I was already looking inside the company. My present employer is bigger but I also have some concerns about the stability, and … well, if I just go to some new place, there are no guarantees either. I left for money, but work for a company with a lot of stupid, lazy people with a culture of apathy and despair. I can do it, but I’m not really digging it.
I am pretty impressed that my potential new boss was willing to spend so much time (we met for 5 hours last night!) to just talk with me, address my concerns, talk about future plans, and in general just sell me on what is going on at my old company. So I’m leaning towards yes, but part of me is concerned… does it look weird on a resume to return, or did people have any other pitfalls?
He was laid off in April 09 after working for them for almost 20 years. He was earning a lot of money and for a few years leading up to the end, had an awesome job. However, with the terrible economy they started downsizing, he had to travel further and take on more work, and towards the end was just miserable and hating life. It was practically a relief to him when he got laid off. He got a severance package and was earning close to $60 or $70k before he left.
He had been on unemployment since then. There really wasn’t many jobs around here for what he specialized in (not many spare jobs around Michigan to begin with) and while he had some interviews here and there, nothing ever went through.
The company hired him back. I don’t know all the details. I think after a while he’ll get some of his seniority back and his vacation back. He took a huge pay cut- now he’s only getting paid $13/hr. From what I hear, it’s pretty common for companies to hire back employees like that. At the least he’s getting out of the house and tells me that he likes his new position and that it’s a lot less stressful than that last year of working for them. At the least, he isn’t hating waking up and going to work like he used to.
I did, twice. The first time was six months after they laid me off. It was for financial reasons, and they re-hired me because they got more money. But the it ran out again a year later, and they dropped me again.
I then re-joined them thirteen years later. They were in a new location, but a lot of the same people were there, with the same decorations on the walls. It was eerie – almost like I never left.
But I left on my own two years later for a better opportunity. I haven’t felt drawn back to them or any previous employer. One reason for my second return was that there weren’t many other jobs out there at the time.
I’ve never done it, but a guy who works for me is on his second go-round with us.
I really don’t see going back to an old employer as any different from starting with a new one. Yes, you do have more inside information on what to expect daily life to *really *be like there, but OTOH, some of that info is dated or flat obsolete.
So think hard about why you left, and if those things are likely to be better enough than they were last time, or better enough compared to where you are now, go for it. If not, not.
In the past I have been laid off from what was supposed to be a career, not a job. As that final workday was coming closer, I made a very strong point to really pay attention to what “a day in the life” was really like. I don’t keep a diary, but I did make some writeups describing the reality of what I was doing, thinking, and feeling about the work & the environment.
That has helped me when the occasional bouts of rose-colored nostalgia come welling up from the depths. Coincidentally, next week is my 7th anniversary of the layoff.
In short, understand why you left, why you are where you are, and what else is out there. The fact you’ve worked there before, in and of itself, means nothing.
Like many people already experienced in this thread, I was working for a company, was laid off, and then I rehired into a different position in the company. In my case the rehire was to a better department, with a pay raise and promotion. I’ve been blessed that way I guess.
Where I work, it’s practically expected that you’ll have at least two stints with the company. Everybody leaves for one reason or another, and they all come back – especially the ones who left and tried for a complete career change. Dozens of people are on their second go-round, including one VP and the CFO. It’s actually kind of sad that nobody can get the hell out, but it pays well (IT) and it’s the devil you know. If you’re seriously looking to change careers, I wouldn’t go back; they know what you’re good at, and they’ll eventually make you do it. On the other hand, if you enjoyed it, and you’d be happy advancing up the ranks, I’d say it sounds like a golden opportunity.
In 06 my company was bought out by another and I chose to take the layoff rather than move. (I was offered a position.)
I talked to my old boss last night and he said that if my current gig goes bust he can find me something - and I might even be able to work from home and not move. It is something that I will consider.
My break was only about 6 months. After working here for 5 years, I was offered another job. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but I thought I’d give it a shot. Sure enough, I hated it, and was extremely happy when my old job agreed to take me back. I’ve been here about 20 more years. Yeah, I bitch about it, but I know there are plenty of worse jobs. This one suits me quite well.
I have interviewed at places I worked in the past, and would have accepted job offers if they had been forthcoming.
One thing that leaps out at me from your post is all the “what ifs.” If it works out, it MAY leaad to greater compensation down the road. You are worried about your flexibility. etc etc. You need to get those sorts of things in writing before accepting a position without a good sized bump in pay. If they are unwilling to give you some goals to work toward and a new salary figure once you achieve them, then I think some red flags should go off.
I started my current career at the place I’m at now. On paper I’m pretty much at the same level as when I started but for practical purposes I’m more senior. I worked here as a contractor for a couple years, worked at another place for about 7 years, got laid off, did some contract work for another company, got laid off, and now I’m back, doing contract work again but I’m making $24/hr more than the first time I was here.
Bottom line is as far as jobs go, this is pretty sweet. The money’s good, I like the people I work with, and I’m learning a key area of my work that’s missing from my resume. I’d like to become ‘permanent’, but they’re not hiring and there’s an India situation brewing, so I’ll probably end up hitting the bricks again before too long.
How I feel about it depends on the circumstances under which I left. I mean I’d rather schlep 40 miles out to this place in NJ than even consider working at another rather prestigious place I quit that’s 10 blocks from my apartment.
Yes, it was one of the finest days of my life. The jerk responsible for my earlier departure was not only fired, but facing criminal charges. I bit my cheeks frequently to keep the smirk off my face.
Alrighty then. I was going to say that if the negative reasons you left are null and void, go for it, but it sounds like the pros outweighed the cons anyway.
Good for you. It is fairly common in the company I work at. I would say 15% of our staff has left and come back after a few years. The guy sitting next to me left for 2 years and now has been back for 8. I think many Architects are unhappy with their assignments or duties or whatever and go on to greener pastures, only to find out that those pastures aren’t as green as they looked! Where I work it is a pretty good company and I think what happens after people have left, many of them realize that there are much worse places to be and come back. I would say 99% of those that left and come back, stay for a long time and are pretty happy. Good luck on your decision.
