Returning to a former employer

When you quit a job on hand and join a new organization you have lots of hopes and aspirations for your career and you eagerly look forward to fulfilling them here. But the grass is not always greener on the other side and you may soon face some circumstances which will force you to think whether you have made the right choice. At this point you may fondly remember your ex-employer as a great place to work and that given an option you would love to return.

The good news is that more and more organizations are welcoming their old employees with open arms. An HR professional working in the IT sector says, “Getting back employees who have earlier worked with us is mutually beneficial for both the parties involved. The employer will have a good knowledge about him and on the employee’s part he will be familiar with the company’s culture and gel well with everyone and everything from day one. Also it will create a good impression in the minds of current employees. Those who wish to return should not feel hesitant to talk about it to their ex-employer. May be they can approach the HR or a colleague they were comfortable with during their stay in the company.”

Once you decide to get back to your old employer you should think clearly and review the situation honestly. “The first thing you need to reflect on is the reason for your exit. If it was personal reasons like ill-health or family commitments you can always approach your old employer and express your desire for a comeback. But if you quit because you could not tolerate your manager and that manager is still there you need to think twice before getting back. Again you may have been too stressed during your tenure here due to working in weekends or holidays. In such cases you may not like to come back to all that grinding once more. Moreover coming back too soon will project you as fickle minded and therefore less trustworthy,” advises a sales professional.

In order to make your comeback easier it is good to maintain a rapport with your colleagues even after you leave the company. Once you have decided to return, analyze how the company is currently performing and whether the position they are hiring you in is matching with your career goals. Take your time, evaluate the offer and then come to a decision.

Getting back to an old employer is a healthy practice. It is not that organizations are doing any favor to you. In these days of talent crunch, companies need you as much as you need them.

- Ranjita Chattopadhyay (views expressed in the article are that of the author)