How to … return to an old job

Why is it important?

‘There’s no going back’ is an expression we’re all familiar with. Yet it is possible to return to an old job or company and make a success of it. Take Steve Jobs, one of the original founders of Apple Computer who, after a 10-year hiatus, returned in 1997 to spearhead a remarkable turnaround at the ailing company.

A shorter-term view of careers, coupled with an unpredictable employment market, has made going back to an old job more acceptable. In fact, a study by Cranfield School of Management has found that one in four private sector firms tracked and rehired former employees – a trend some call ‘boomeranging’.

Even if your former employer doesn’t come looking, new skills and broader experience gained elsewhere make you a valuable asset, and chances are you’ll be welcomed back. So if you hanker after your old job, why not look up your former manager to enquire whether the door is still open?

Where should I start?

Think carefully about whether the decision to go back is really the correct one for you. It is common to look back fondly on an old job, especially if it is taking you a while to settle into a new role or if you’ve encountered a setback. Remind yourself why you decided to leave your old job in the first place and consider why things may be different this time.

“It is important not to react by jumping back into a familiar environment without fully considering the implications,” says Sally Russell, principal consultant at HR consultancy Right-Coutts. “You will only be able to make the transition back into your old organisation a success if you are confident that you can resolve the issues that caused you to leave in the first place.”

All set to go

If you do return, never assume that things won’t have changed since your departure and that you’ll be able to glide back effortlessly into doing precisely what you were doing before. Changes in organisational priorities could mean altered working practices and/or an unrecognisable culture or politics. You need to make sure you are fully prepared for this, so speak to former colleagues to gain insight into the current set-up.

Down memory lane

Even though an offer of your old job back shows you are valued and respected, there will inevitably be questions from colleagues about why you have returned. Some might be suspicious of your motives, so have a good tale to tell and don’t skirt around the issue.

“It is easy to become frustrated by colleagues’ questions, but it is also essential that you answer them openly and honestly – any hint of a hidden agenda will only make the transition into your new role more difficult,” explains Russell. She also warns against phrases like ‘when I was here’, which are likely to frustrate or irritate colleagues, especially those who don’t know you and look upon you as a new member of staff.

Code of conduct

Once you’ve confirmed your resignation with your present employer, continue to behave professionally. Don’t brag about your new position (or salary) at your old place of work. Do your best to complete unfinished work or projects. Lend additional support to your manager by organising a handover and offering to help out with the training of your replacement if they arrive before you leave.

Fresh learning curve

Finally, bear in mind that even if you are returning to a familiar work environment, you won’t be up to speed immediately – you will still be on a fresh learning curve and a period of adjustment will be required. Treat it in the same way as you would if you had moved to an entirely unfamiliar organisation.

For more info

Books

Before You Say ‘I Quit’: A Guide to Making Successful Job Transitions, by Nancy Holloway, Diane Bishop, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0020768818

By Scott Beagrie. Courtesy of PersonnelToday.