Is it worth it to return to work in a company from which you once left

It is rare for an employee who submits a voluntary resignation letter to think that he can get a job again in the same company. It seems logical: left - you should not look back.

However, more than 55% of Russians who changed jobs received offer to return. Slightly more than 20% turned to the former bosses themselves, and 70% of them started working again in the old company. Let's figure out in which cases it is worth considering such a return, and in which not.

What are the benefits of returning to your previous job?

There are enough of them not to refuse such an opportunity.

Easier to get through pre-employment stages

Often, before receiving an offer, candidates need to pass a selection process. That is, complete test tasks of varying complexity, and then tell about yourself at several interviews. But since you have already worked in the company and they know about your skills, it will be easier for you. Maybe no testing is needed at all.

If you are applying for a position higher than the previous one, then you may still have to complete some version of the test. But it will be easier for you to do it than for a complete stranger. After all, you are already familiar with what the company does and for what target audience it works. And the former, they are future, colleagues are well aware of your working and human qualities.

However, interviews with superiors still cannot be avoided - you and your manager will have to discuss new conditions for cooperation. There are two options here:

1. The boss himself invited you back. When talking, you can immediately talk about the experience accumulated over the past time. If it turns out to be impressive, it is worth re-negotiating a salary level that will suit you. It is very likely that it will be higher than the previous one.
2. The return is your initiative. Here, too, it makes sense to talk about the experience that you have received in other companies. And explain how you can use it. Probably, the salary level will remain the same, but over time the situation may change for the better. Of course, if you show yourself to be a really valuable employee.

There will be no long adaptation in the company

You can start working right away. You don’t have to waste time getting to know the company’s work and internal rules: you already know all this very well.

Perhaps you will be accepted for a trial period - for example, because now you will work in a higher position. However, it will be easier for you to pass it than for a person “from the street”. And if you still have questions, you will definitely know who to contact.

Around from the very beginning will be a familiar environment. It will surely evoke pleasant associations in you - otherwise you would hardly have returned. And this will also help you quickly enter a comfortable working rhythm.

There will be no unpleasant surprises at the new location

It happens that in a new company, an employee is waiting for pitfalls that were not visible at the interview. For example, a colleague at the next table will be a rare bore. Or it turns out that the boss sometimes behaves unceremoniously.

Returning to the old place, you will already be aware of all these nuances. Therefore, there will be no unpleasant surprises.

Of course, new unfortunate circumstances can always arise. For example, you find that the cafe where you went for lunch has already closed. Or a colleague with whom you often discussed sports news recently quit. But coping with a few problems is easier than creating comfortable conditions from scratch.

New experience will help career growth

The knowledge, skills and practical experience that you have gained while working in other places is very valuable. Most likely, you had to solve completely different problems. For example, work with an unfamiliar market sector. This will allow you to combine new skills with previous ones and take on more complex projects.

Even if previous experience was unsuccessful, it should be taken into account and used. For example, if you have made several unsuccessful trades, you are unlikely to repeat the same mistakes again. And your now new company will get a valuable employee who knows what rake not to step on.

In addition, now you can look at the usual problems from a different point of view, see them from the outside. And offer solutions that are difficult to see from the inside.

All this can help you to climb career ladder.

What are the disadvantages of such a return

Of course, the restoration at the same place of work is not always cloudless.

The manager may question your loyalty

If you returned on your own initiative, the boss may treat you with prejudice. After all, no one can guarantee that a person who left the company once will not do it again. For example, if the situation on the labor market changes, and competitors offer higher wages.

There is nothing unusual in such situations. But if a company invests in the education of employees and their professional development, then the manager wants to be sure that these investments will pay off. And if an employee is assigned to lead a long-term project, then no one will be happy if they have to look for a new performer in the middle of the way.

Therefore, you should show that you are back for a long time and will not immediately look for the best job opportunities. Or maybe report it directly.

Colleagues may consider your departure a betrayal

Those who work here for a long time and treat the company as an important part of life, and not just a place to earn money, are able to think so. Perhaps at first they will treat you worse than before.

Prejudice can be dealt with by telling them openly what made you leave. And especially - what prompted to return. Of course, frank conversations should be conducted only with those whom you sincerely respect and whose opinion you really care about.

Leaving with a subsequent return may be perceived as a defeat

This happens if a person dismissal He said that he finally managed to find a better place. Or he did not speak very respectfully about the company from where he left and where he now had to return.

Yes, it was necessary - colleagues may decide that you have failed in a new place. Or they overestimated themselves as a specialist. Even if you say that you left the new company because you were not satisfied with the team or the relationship with the management, they may perceive you as a loser.

Such a situation is possible. But if you didn’t seriously quarrel with colleagues before leaving, the relationship can be rebuilt. Of course, this will take time.

How to Decide Whether to Return to Your Old Job

If you are seriously considering returning, try to answer a few questions:

1. Did the reason that made you quit remain, or did the situation change for the better. For example, if you used to have constant conflicts with the head of the department, you should find out if you will fall under his leadership again. Did he quit or are you applying for a position in another department? So, everything is in order and you can think about returning.
2. As far as the former, it is the future place of work more attractive to you than the current one. If you decide to leave again, it means that the new company does not suit you either. It makes sense to write down all the pros and cons of the current and old work. And then determine which advantages of both firms are now a priority for you.
3. What conditions can other companies offer you. It is worth considering returning to your previous place of work on a par with other employment options. After all, in addition to the two points of choice - your former and current firms - there are many other companies. It is better not to rush, but to study in detail all the opportunities that the market offers. And only then make a decision.