Is it ever the right time to return to a previous company?

During a recent “Ask Me Anything” Q & A session in my Facebook group, I was asked my professional opinion about returning to a previous organisation. What things should they consider? How can they make a decision? Ultimately, they were wondering if it is ever the right time to return to a previous company?

I have spoken before about job searching; why your next role may not be as linear as you assume. For many, your next job may exist through connections, even sitting within the hidden job market. If you are wondering what that is, then you can read more here. Very simply, they aren’t advertised in the traditional methods of job adverts, job boards or even recruiters. Jobs are created through current and past relationships: previous colleagues, employers, friends and family and friends of friends. 

 

So, let’s imagine a scenario where you see a role advertised, or are told about a great opportunity, within one of your previous employers. You may be advised that if you have left once, you shouldn’t go back, but it’s not as simple as that. If you are interested, but uncertain about the next steps, let me help you through!

 

When working through this issue with my 1:1 clients, these are the things I would ask them to consider about returning to a previous company:

Why did you leave?

Very simply, what was the circumstance that led to you leaving? This will set the tone for your reflection about the future, but also help you form questions if you are to take the role further. Let’s consider some of the reasons people leave a role:

 

• Lack of career progression.
• Redundancy (was this a fair process?)
• External circumstances not associated with the role such as relocation, health or caring responsibilities

 

If the reason you left was related to the role or the organisation, did you get the chance to discuss these before you left? 

Do the (personal and/or professional) reasons you left still exist?

Ultimately, you don’t want to leap out of the frying pan to go back into the fire!

 

 How did you leave?

 How was your exit managed? Were you able to work full notice period? Were there exit interviews? Were you given a send-off? Were you sad to leave? Did you feel supported? Was a pleasant or under a cloud or things were unfinished?

All of these emotional aspects are essential to consider, as they will play a part in how you feel should you go back, even if your colleagues of the time aren’t working there any longer. 

 

What has happened since you left?

 Like any previous relationship, you have probably kept a watching eye on what are they doing. You may be in contact with ex-colleagues. Find out if they have grown, shrunk, moved, gone remote or hybrid? Most importantly how did they support their staff during COVID? Find out WHO the business is now!

Ask yourself that question too. What you need now – role, company, career and life – has evolved. I imagine your priorities have shifted; how will that fit with the current culture of the organisation? 

 

 What do you need now? 

One drawback of going back to an organisation, especially if people you have worked with before are still there, is that it is easy to be trapped in the role, reputation and responsibility you had previously. You will have evolved over your time away from the company. Not just the priorities I mentioned above, but career-wise too: experience, knowledge, skills and seniority. However, not everyone wants to “take next career steps”, they just want to do the job they do really, really well. So ask yourself, does this role give you the opportunities to do what you want to do now?

 

Hopefully, by going through these questions, you are better equipped to decide if the previous company is a fit for your future. When you are discussing this potential role with them, treat it as if you are going to interview at the company for the very first time. Don’t make any assumptions based on your previous experience; treat them as if you didn’t know them at all. So, my answer to the opening question? Sometimes, there is a right time to return to a previous company; don’t limit your options to create a career to enjoy!

 

Join over 500 people who happen to be parents in Creating Careers to Enjoy, where among other things, I host a regular Careers Q&A session! 

 

If you are looking to take the next step in your career, and want a coach to support you, then book a call to see how we can work together.