Should You Return to a Former Employer?
The practice of returning to a former employer is sometimes called “boomerang” employment for obvious reasons, and it is something that many people are far from keen to do. Many people express the view that you should never go back to a previous employer. Equally, some employers have a policy against re-employing people who have left their employ.
With the skills shortage in the UK in the aftermath of Brexit and the Covid pandemic, many employers are being forced to rethink their policy on rehiring people who worked with them previously, as it is becoming harder to find talented people with the requisite skills.
In a survey commissioned by WorkPlaceTrends.com, over 50% of HR people interviewed said that they had previously had a policy against rehiring people who had left, even when they had left on good terms. Of the 50% who mentioned a no-rehiring policy, 75% now say that the situation has been reversed, and they are willing to look at people they worked with previously.
Questions to Ask Yourself First
Before you even consider applying for a job at a company that you previously worked with, ask yourself a few questions about the practicalities of that.
Will You Be Welcomed Back?
Did you leave on good terms with all of your former colleagues, or did your sudden departure make all of their jobs harder while the boss tried to fill the gap that you left? Are you still in touch with any of your friends from that time period so you can ask them questions like this? If you aren’t, and your period of employment with that company was reasonably recent, it is safe to say that you didn’t make any enduring friendships there.
Did you have trouble with any of the bosses while you worked there previously? There is no point in returning to a company if you previously left them under a cloud. They may not even offer you an interview, and it would be bad for your ego to be turned down flat like that.
Are You Applying for the Same Role?
Returning to the same company you previously worked for and applying for the same role, rather than one at a higher level, suggests that you haven’t learned much in your time at a different company. It can look bad to them, and there may be a focus on the skills that you have learned at your current employer or the intervening employers since you worked for them. They may see this as a way to trip you up or make you uncomfortable in the interview.
If you are applying for a more senior role, be prepared to outline how you have upgraded and improved your skills so that you are a perfect fit for the role. If your current employer has allowed you the opportunity to develop your skills, acknowledge this but explain any lack of advancement opportunities that caused you to look elsewhere.
Will You Have the Same Boss?
Most employees will tell you that the quality of their boss can make or break the workplace experience. If your immediate boss was a factor in your decision to leave, you should check if they are still there and whether they would be in charge of you again. There is no point in having history repeat itself if you believe that you can’t work successfully with them.
If, on the other hand, it is someone different that you will be working under, this could be a chance for a fresh start at the company. This makes a difference if you actually enjoyed the work but not the manager you had when you were there. It is possible to go back to a former workplace and make a success of it the second time around. Roughly 40% of Millennial employees say that this is something they would consider doing under the right circumstances, with this number receding as employees age.
How do They Compare to Your Current Employer?
Think back to when you joined your current employer and try to picture the feeling that you felt when you moved from your previous employer. Was it relief, joy or sadness that you had to move on? Now think about how your current employer has treated you by comparison. Are they a more stable place to work? Do they micromanage less? Are there better terms and conditions that allow for a healthier work/life balance?
Lay out the pros and cons of each with as much objectivity as you can muster, and remember that it is often possible to look backwards with rose-tinted glasses on. Try to remember the reality of how it was and compare it objectively to the reality of your current job. This isn’t easy, and all jobs have their good and bad points.
If you are unhappy at your current job, have you addressed the underlying causes with the management? It may be possible for them to take some kind of action to improve your working life at their company so you don’t feel the need to leave any longer.
Are They Headhunting You?
Some companies make it their business to stay in touch with the rising stars in their industry who have left to join other companies. If they have done this with you and are actively courting you for recruitment purposes, then this casts a different complexion on returning to a former workplace.
If they are monitoring your progress and growth before asking you to interview for a role, this means that the ball is firmly in your court, and you should think carefully about the market rate for the skills you bring to the table. Don’t be afraid to ask what you are worth, and be very aware that there are skills shortages across most industries. This means that they will be more amenable to making a salary offer on the higher end of the scale than they usually would be. Use this to your advantage and get the best deal that you can.
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