Employment Conundrum

[msk1986911]

Recent history: had been employed by a large European based firm, at an office in the US, from January 2006 thru March 2007 (potential lay-offs fueled the decision). I left there to go to a small (approximately 550 person) company and have been there since. I've recently received overtures that I would be welcomed back. I am at a loss as to what to do. Both jobs have their pluses and minuses. I am concerned that my resume will look suspect if I move on after such a short period of time. At this time in my life (48, married, two kids-junior in HS and last year of middle school), security and long term outlook are more important than short-term gains.

Any HR types care to chime in, i.e. how are revolving door moves viewed....is it a plus or minus that I've been asked back (no firm offer, just exploratory talk at this point) if I were to choose to go?

[VaSteve]

Why did you leave to begin with? Not because of the lay offs, but something made you leave before the showed you the door...

[Don Plumley]

Depending upon your role, it might indicate your propensity for "grass is greener" syndrome or it might not be a big deal at all.

You were at the first company for just over one year. At the current company for 18 months. So you are trading down in seniority/tenure which is a consideration if you are concerned about layoffs.

You should change jobs because a) gain responsibility/skills that are useful to you; b) think you will enjoy the work and working environment more; c) will make a lot more money. Changing because you sense more stability might be short-sighted if you don't like the work.

As to your specific question - if there is a good reason, a move back after 18 months wouldn't be a negative in my book, so long as less than two months (I made a big mistake) or more than two years (time to move on) elapse when you are next looking.

[svandamme]

one could negotiate the seniority if one decides to go back...

going back to a company means they were happy to have you and regret having seen you leave...which frankly i don't see how that would look bad on the resume...

[JeremyD]

Never bad to go back - Same position or lateral move? will they restore seniority? I tell people all the time to stay put right now - you don't want to be the last person hired in this economy. I've seen offers pulled, I've seen people laid off after being with a company for 2 months.

[msk1986911]

I received a call to schedule an interview for next week. The concept of interviewing for a job I formerly held seems a bit odd although I wouldn't expect an offer without some sort of vetting process. Any suggestion as to how I might best evaluate my options? My current company has been in existence for just over 20 years, with steady growth over the past 3 years. Business is split approximately 50/50 between US feral gov't and commercial customers. My former company is based in the UK. The US based operation that I would support relies on US gov't orders for about 30% of its business with the balance coming from US and international commercial customers (fairly large ship related construction). I am in a quandary as to how to evaluate either business from a long-term viability perspective. Either company presents a challenge; my goal (overstating the obvious) is to go with the company offering the longest term challenge. What sort of questions would you recommend I ask during the interview...current backlog, future prospects in the sales funnel, etc?

As always, thanks for your time and insight.

MK

[VaSteve]

I would ask if the barriers that impeded you before have been (or can be) removed this time.
Ask about the pipeline.
Ask how will this job be different than how it was for you before.
Good luck!

[msk1986911]

I left, in part, due to a conflict that I should have addressed directly. In any event, the source for the conflict has moved on.