Has anybody gone back to a company/job you used to work for?

[SpeedracerIndy]

Considering going back to a company I used to work for. The position would be higher and the pay would be considerably higher. I left because they were doing poorly financially and I didn't want to be a casualty of their cash flow issues. Now they're doing very well after trimming quite a bit of fat, and they're begging me to come back. I would love to work for them again, but can't get over the idea that it will be perceived that I made a mistake for leaving in the first place.

Any experience, advice, words of wisdom?

[stomachmonkey]

It's fine, see it all the time.

[mossguy]

I have done this successfully. Often a person will leave a job when a position two or more grades higher is open, and there is no opening in the "stepping stone" job. Then one goes somewhere else to achieve that step and is ready to move back to the old company in a much higher position. I think it would be looked upon as a very smart move by both.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Hell no. God put your eyes on the front of your head not the back for a reason.

[Paul_Heery]

I did that once early in my career. Left for a better/different opportunity. Everything was working out. Then, one day my old boss approached me and asked me to come back. I put my terms and conditions in front of him and he agreed.

I came back to a better job with much greater responsibilities. For which I was compensated accordingly. It was a good move on my part as well as for the company. We took the company public 12 months later.

[masraum]

I did it once, but under different circumstances.

I know several other folks that did it under similar circumstances. It's not a big deal.

I've got a good buddy that left because he couldn't make the money that he was worth. After about a year, he ended up making the money they should have given him before he left in the first place. He's been there a few years since and had no problems. WHen I worked at the same place, I knew of lots of other folks that did the same thing.

[Laneco]

I worked for the same company THREE different times over about seven years.

Always leave on good terms, even if you are getting the short end of the stick. Remember that the toes you step on, in any situation, may one day be attached to the ass you need to kiss when things change.

You might say I'm good at not burning the bridges behind me - LOL!

angela

[stevepaa]

Company a to company b and recruited back to company a, up 30% salary in three years. Repeated a second time: company a to company c then recruited back to company a. Three years later went back to company c. Increasing salary at every move. Fortunately I have niche training and experience. I bascially decide what I want to work on.

I never burn a bridge and my reviews are always excellent. They get good value for their money.

[SpeedracerIndy]

This is encouraging. The main thing I'm worried about is the grief I'll get for the grass not being greener. That's an ego thing though that I have to get over.

I learned long ago, from watching a coworker self destruct, not to burn bridges. All three jobs I've had in my career would be happy to have me back because I didn't burn that bridge. You never know when you'll need to rely on someone you worked with in the past.

Thanks for the comments guys. It's good to get the perspective from a large cross section of folks.

[legion]

My company was hemorrhaging people during the dot-com boom, to the tune of 400 people a year from my department. Many of the companies went bust, many people tried to return. Those that burned bridges on their way out were not allowed back. Some of those that kept on good terms were allowed to re-interview, and some came back and lesser positions.

It's all about who has the leverage in the deal.

[targa911S]

Yes I was hired back after quitting a major newspaper I worked for. They were glad to have me back actually and it changed my status completely. Best thing I could have done. They actually called me up after two years with another publication, made me an offer, and bought out my non compete.

[mikester]

At a company I used to work for it was quite common for folks to leave and come back. There were a variety of reasons to do so.

Ultimately I would not return to a place to work unless the problems that lead to your departure no longer existed.

I almost went back to one place that I left because they passed me over for promotion after telling me that it was mine. When they offered me the new job it was at the old title and I said 'it seems that you are doing the same thing to me as you did before, you have not learned your lesson - I have learned mine. No thank you.' (in my head...)

I wouldn't worry about the grass being greener unless that was really why you left. If it sucked there and still sucks there then I wouldn't go back.

[jim72911t]

Originally Posted by SpeedracerIndy

This is encouraging. The main thing I'm worried about is the grief I'll get for the grass not being greener. That's an ego thing though that I have to get over.....

I wouldn't worry about it. I went back to my current job a few years ago after being there for about 15 years. I left for about 9 months, but during that time still did some consulting work for my old employer.

Turns out the grass was not greener for either of us. I think we both learned a bunch. (Boss/owner thought he'd save a bunch of $$ without my salary on the books, and I was growing stagnant at my position.)

We reworked my job description, I took on more responsibilities and a higher salary, and all has been great since. So much so that I can say that I actually look forward to going to work every day.

Good luck,
Jim

edit: this is a very small, family style company (less than 10 employees upon my return, but we have grown since then)

[azasadny]

I went back to Ford after leaving 4 years before and I came back 3 pay grades higher and I could not have done that if I had stayed...

[cstreit]

I think it all depends on why you left. If you left because of the environment, then stay away unless there has been a MAJOR HUGE change.

I did this once, but only came back because the company was bought out, a lot of people had left (and positively the ones that were causing my unhappiness). Great decision in retrospect. THe departure of the people who were creating issues said to me that the new owning company was on the right track.

[12own911]

I did. I was fired from IT and came back to the Business side of the business. IT decided that they would not train me on the new processes and Business said they were glad to get me with my over 11 years of knowledge with the company. I did take a pay cut but it was the only way I could get insurance for my son with disabiities. Insurance was too expensive otherwise.

[vash]

my friend (and office mate) did this. he quit, and went to another agency. for 8 DAYS!! he hated it and them. he came back to his old job. no problemo.

i dont think we even reassigned his work truck, or cleared his office yet. he literally, just walked back in the door. it was funny.