According to statistics, every third worker receives an offer from a “former” employer, and more than half of companies are ready to accept old employees back. Such an invitation flatter employees, but does not always turn out to be a positive outcome.

Why they call back, let's figure it out.

HR specialists admit that it is easier for a company to hire a previous employee than to look for a new one. The former employee has already been tested by time - the employer is confident in his skills and efficiency, knows about his shortcomings and positive qualities.

Plus, you don't have to waste time getting to know organizational issues and adaptation to the team. The old employee will feel at ease in a couple of days and will almost immediately start working in full force... However, there are many BUTs.

Sometimes the reason for the proposal the return may also be the fact that the company cannot find a replacement for the departed staff. Then they try to "lure" the employee with a higher position or higher pay.

In any case, such an invitation is considered a compliment for the resigned person, because it means that the company needs him, and he is a valuable unit.

It's another matter when an employee himself asks the employer to accept him back after a series of failures. The feeling of such an initiative is unpleasant and even humiliating, because it means that things did not go as well as planned.

Everyone around will know about the failure of the returned employee, and this feeling will press and interfere with full-fledged work for a long time. Therefore, we recommend that you only call your past employer in the most extreme cases.

When to think about

Returning to the company is not always a step back - sometimes it can be your ticket to the future, or at least good help for the present.

Offer favorable conditions

If you quit your job because of a low pay or absence career growth, but this time the company plans to give you a boss's chair and a high salary, so it makes sense to consider the offer.

Weigh the pros and cons

  • Is the new salary worth the nerves that your tyrant leader took away from you?
  • Will there be where to grow in this company after the new position?
  • Will you be able to work again in the conditions that you once deliberately left?

The company has changed

They fired their quarrelsome colleagues, gave their own office, introduced a modern software, opened a canteen ... If the company eliminated the inconveniences due to which they had to leave the old workplace, - this is also a good reason to think about returning.

If at the same time your financial situation does not improve, then think about what reason can bring you back. Nice team, VHI policy, or maybe less workload?

You should not leave a new job if the conditions on it are absolutely similar to the old place - re-entry in work book raises questions, so it's best to avoid them if there is no particular reason for the mark to appear.

You are in the wrong position

Have you written an application, but your job search dragged on for six months, the refrigerator is empty and there is nothing more to save? Then an offer from a former employer is your lifeline.

Let it be a temporary measure, and when something worthy turns up, you can quit again. However, this time it is better not to go into emptiness - twice employees are rarely returned.

How to behave in a job interview with a former employer

- Do not remember the old days - a lot could have changed since leaving, so do not create uncomfortable situations where you can be answered: "This is no longer relevant."

- Share new experiences with interest, but without enthusiasm - show that your experience in another company will be useful, but do not overdo it so that you do not get the impression that you want to return.

- Get in the trust - an employee who once left can do it again, so tell us why the old job is interesting and why you want to return to it.

- Ask about the important things - in order not to step on the old rake, find out everything that worries you: has the team changed, has the social package changed, etc.

I am ashamed to return ...

In fact, there is nothing "shameful" about returning. Even if you returned after a failure, there is still nothing to be ashamed of, because life is unpredictable, and any person can face such a choice.


They say, when you leave, go away. And don't look back. What about the company you worked for before? Is it possible to quit and then return to the previous team without significant losses?

In the West, employees who return to work in their former company are called "boomerangs". This, by the way, is not considered shameful at all. In domestic conditions, "boomerangs" are disliked as their former bosses and former colleagues: They are highly suspicious and distrustful of the desire of a previously retired employee to return to work. How to get back to work in former company? And is it worth it? And what problems may arise upon return?

1. Understand the circumstances of leaving... The likelihood of successful employment at former job mainly depends on the circumstances of leaving.

The withdrawal was due to the conflict. If the withdrawal was due to any conflict, bridges were burned, and relations with colleagues or management remained very strained, then it is better not to count on a successful outcome. Even if it was a long time ago, and the team has changed a lot during this time, the question of dismissal is unlikely to be avoided.

You have found your “dream job”. You seem to be successfully working for the company. At the same time, as it always happens, you like something, but something arouses rejection. For instance, good team but uninteresting tasks. Or a boss with a difficult character, but a high salary. And suddenly you are invited to a new job - they promise growth prospects, good income, a wonderful team and other joys of office life. On reflection, you write a letter of resignation, say goodbye to your colleagues - and forward to new achievements! However, in a month it will become clear that the promised mountains of gold have nothing to do with reality. And you sadly recall your previous workplace - it turns out that it was not so bad there. Not the worst situation, as a result of which the former employer washes to accept the "prodigal son". Returning to the previous place (with the same salary) in this case will most likely be perceived by colleagues as a defeat, even if the manager himself invited a specialist to work. that the boss did not manage to find you a worthy replacement.

You left for experience. Suppose you left the company due to the impossibility (at that time) of career growth. You did not spoil your relationship with anyone, and your boss and colleague understood and appreciated your young ambition. We worked in other places for a couple of years, gained experience, and ... Oh, a miracle! We decided to return to the previous company: in a couple of years, things began to go better, and the career ladder became much higher. As an experienced employee with rich experience, in this case, you may even be invited to more high position... The question is already different: do you need it?

2. What problems may lie in wait for you upon your return? Nothing passes without a trace. And, of course, returning to your former employer (not always, but often) is fraught with certain problems. The most common ones are:

Label "boomerang" or "prodigal son";
lower wages (or the same level);
a constant reminder of how you left here and who took you back;
contemptuous look of colleagues and whispering behind the back;
long and persistent evidence to the authorities that you have not returned in vain.

3. Keep in mind! If you nevertheless decided to return to former place work, you will have to take into account some positions.

Time can change a lot. This is always worth considering. Therefore, you can guess about the affairs in the company at this stage of its existence, but not know for sure. Therefore, be more careful about the problems that you can solve, because they may no longer exist. Unless you have been told about them by internal sources. Be prepared to present yourself as a brand new employee, not a seasoned employee. You will have to prove your experience and competence, and not rely on past achievements.

Prepare a good story. Even if many would be glad to see you in the company again, this still does not guarantee anything. You will still need to convince the employer that you are the best suited for this position. No one expects that this time you will stay here forever, but your interest in work and motivation should not be in doubt.

Don't be a cocky job seeker. You may be the ideal candidate for this position, but overconfidence can be harmful. Remain a friendly and open-minded job seeker.

Make sure not to make a mistake. Remember why you left the last time? Are you sure you want to come back? List the pros and cons of working for this company. During the interview, you will be able to clarify what has changed. This will help you make your final decision. You must have a clear idea of ​​what you want to achieve there, and the confidence that you have a chance for it.

It is very important to love what you do. And there is nothing wrong with the fact that one day you wanted more than your company gave you. Moreover, there is nothing wrong with the fact that you decided to go after this. And like any person, you could be wrong. The main thing is to think carefully: do you really want to return to your former job. Forget about the river, which cannot be entered twice and about the impossibility of stepping on the same rake. After all, if the rake is good, then why not?

Once upon a time you left the company in which you worked for a long time, in search of better deals. However, time has passed, and you realize that now you want to return to work in your old company. Can this be done? About, how to get back to work to the former company, will tell the Country of Soviets.

In the West, employees who return to work in their former company are usually called “ boomerangs", And this, by the way, is not considered shameful at all. In domestic conditions, both their former bosses and former colleagues dislike "boomerangs": they are very suspicious and distrustful of the desire of a previously retired employee to return to work.

The reasons why you may want to return to work in your old company, of course, may be different. Perhaps you did not find what you were looking for in a new place, leaving your previous job, or maybe you could not build a good relationship with a new leadership and team. And now you understand that your previous job was fine with you, and you want to return. What do I need to do?

Unless you left your former workplace with a scandal, the opportunity to return to work in the previous company is great enough for you... In many cases, your return can be beneficial for the company: you have gained valuable experience, gained new knowledge and skills. And if you want to return to work, it is best to contact your former manager directly and discuss the return with him.

In conversation with former head you need to state in detail all the arguments in your favor and prove that you deserve to go back to work. Depending on the situation that developed earlier when you left, you can discuss new terms of cooperation with your superiors. For example, at first, you will not be offered as much salary as before, but at the same time you will not be very difficult to perform tasks at first.

Even if your “old new” manager allowed you to return to your previous job without any special difficulties, then relationships with "old new" colleagues they can not always develop smoothly. The team may wonder why you should be re-hired, with which you are on their own gone? You should prepare for different scenarios of the development of events.

So, you can go back to work in different ways... You can come with a "penitent head" and show with all your appearance that you fully admitted your guilt, realized your mistakes, and now you will be "quieter than water, below the grass." You can also arrange a “lavish comeback with a feast and group entertainment, trying to again earn the favor of colleagues. Finally, you can return to work and as if absolutely nothing happened, ignoring all the gossip and gossip.

HR experts call one of the surest ways to return to your previous job presenting your previous departure from this job as an inevitable necessity: you could not stay in the company because of family circumstances or, suppose they could not tolerate gross injustice. It is good if your leader supports you in your “legend”.

Now desire

Remember the rhyme from the cartoon about the seven-color flower: "Fly, fly, petal, through the north to the east, through the west, through the south, come back after making a circle ...". Something similar happened to you: you quit your "native" company, in which you worked for a certain number of years, worked in other places and areas and came to the conclusion that "it's good where we are not." In other words, you started thinking about returning to your old job.

Approximately the same situation arose for Marina. She worked in a large cosmetic company, moreover, quite successfully: from an ordinary employee "matured" to the position of a manager for work with VIP-clients. But at one point I realized that at this place I had achieved everything and there was nowhere to “grow” further. Marina was satisfied with the salary, but not happy with the lack of career prospects. And after a while, the income ceased to seem so great, and the work, so beloved before, began to tire. Marina quit her job, under the patronage of an acquaintance she got a job in another cosmetic company, with a salary an order of magnitude higher. After a while, she was offered to work as a business coach - to teach less experienced managers to sell cosmetics. Unexpectedly for herself, Marina got carried away with the business, having developed a number of trainings dedicated to various "subtleties" of the sale. Marina really liked the job, but did not like it new team, or rather, not entirely healthy psychological environment, carefully cultivated by the leadership of the principle of "divide and conquer." Increasingly, she recalled her old work, colleagues with whom she was great relationship... The girl realized that she was not at all opposed to returning to her previous place, only already in the position of a business coach. But how will the management perceive her return, how will the team look at it, etc.?

You can understand Marina's fears. HR specialists say that in our country most companies (not all of them, of course) prefer not to accept returnees, and if they do, they look askance at them. In the West, however, this is considered quite common, normal occurrence. Employers are not afraid to take such employees (even a special name “boomerang people” has been invented) back. Moreover, a valuable specialist may be offered a salary increase or a transfer to a higher position. The employer's logic is simple: if the employee returns, it means that he considers this company the best in terms of working conditions and pay. Accordingly, having something to compare with, the employee will no longer leave the company and will work more actively for its benefit. In some American companies, for example, ¼ of the state consists of "boomerangs". In the Old and New Worlds they are accustomed to the mobility of the market, and they perceive the search for “ better place under the sun ”is quite adequate. Honor and praise to the skillful leaders, and we ask for the "returnee".

However, in our open spaces, the realities are somewhat different, and they must be taken into account. Let's look at two options for returning, and what to expect in either case.

OPTION 1 ... HE HAS COME BY HIMSELF!

You, of course, remember the famous phrase from the movie "The Diamond Arm": "It's not my fault, he came himself!" Approximately this position can be taken by the former management, and create appropriate working conditions for you. I would like to clarify in order not to frighten potential "returnees" in advance: the option is quite possible, but not necessary, much depends on the personality of the leader. And yet, let's arm ourselves with the principle of "believe in the worst, hope for the best" and think about what can be expected in the worst case.

You will be refused a job. Many leaders perceive the "boomerangs" as traitors who, as you know, have no place in our ranks. This is not quite the correct approach, but, on the other hand, you can understand the manager: he “nurtured” and trained personnel for so many years, and then an employee with experience leaves. Of course, it's a shame.

You will be hired, but they may create uncomfortable working conditions. There will simply be a desire to punish the "defector". For example, I once worked as a teacher at a technical lyceum. The wages, of course, left much to be desired. Some kind of commercial higher educational institution rented a couple of rooms in our lyceum. They did not have enough teachers, so they offered to read some subjects to the staff of the lyceum, including me. Soon I decided to go to work at this university, because they paid much more. Alas, a little time passed and the commercial educational institution ceased to exist, and I was left without work. What to do? Of course, come back. After all, I have always been in good standing at the lyceum, and they were very reluctant to release a valuable specialist. I was accepted, especially since the lyceum was in dire need of teaching staff. But the director's relationship since then has changed dramatically, naturally, for the worse. At every convenient and inconvenient occasion, I was reminded of the "shameful flight", at every teachers' council they urged employees not to follow an example from some personalities, and so on. In general, after three months I quit, now forever, which I do not regret.

The attitude of the team may not change in better side, even if you used to get along well with the employees. This is quite natural (although it is insulting for you): time has passed, someone from the "young" gained experience and took (or has views) your place. Again, new ambitious employees could appear in the team, they do not care about someone's past merits. Perhaps at your previous job you had not only friends, but also ill-wishers who would begin to whisper at every corner, including to the management, they say, “I didn’t come in dust, but after all I once threw the company into difficult minutes" etc.

Once again I want to emphasize: all of the above is a possible, but not at all obligatory variant of the course of events. Although if you are going to return, you need to be mentally prepared for a variety of "surprises". Now let's think about what awaits you when you return to your previous place of work in the best case:

Lack of everything described above.

You are not in danger of an adaptation period. You are familiar with the specifics of your work, with all the peculiarities of the character and style of work of your bosses, you know “who is who” in the team, which means that you will no longer make “wrong” personal contacts. In other words, you can't go wrong with a person.

Surely at your "old new" job you still have friends and girlfriends with whom you can now communicate every day. These are trusted people, you can rely on them, they will "cover" and help in difficult times.

OPTION 2. YOU ARE INVITED

In this case, the situation changes radically, so we will start with a point about what awaits you in the best case. See the subparagraph above with the same name, and also:

Solid promotion wages or transfer to another, more prestigious position. If you were not offered this for some reason, you can safely demand it yourself. V this moment the company needs you more than you need it. Consequently, the "invitee" has the right to put forward some demands. An example from life. My friend, a blooming woman of 57 (!) Years, having worked for 15 years as a secretary to the head of a very respectable publishing company, decided to retire. Two young girls were taken in her place. Less than six months later, she began to receive offers to return, since the company, I quote literally, "has lost part of its image." An acquaintance agreed, but demanded a significant increase in salary. The director without hesitation gave the order to the accounting department, and the professional took the same place.

You can count on the full support of the management in the implementation of all your projects and undertakings (within reason, of course). They will listen to your opinion and be sure to take it into account.

At worst

Surely the reasons for leaving were serious enough. If during your absence at the former place of duty nothing has changed, although it should have (!), Then you will get a kind of de ja vu. In other words, very soon you will realize that “you have already seen all this somewhere,” and it is possible that you will again want to quit.

WHEN IS IT WORTH RETURNING?

Of course, the philosopher was right when he said that you cannot enter the same river twice. But it is quite possible to get a job twice in the same company. However, before making a final decision to return, carefully weigh the pros and cons so as not to lose current job, but on the "old new" and not find "labor happiness." The return will go smoothly if you:

We are confident that the management and the team will accept your "second coming" normally.

If you quit your job without a scandal, leaving behind a prepared, worthy replacement, brought your business and projects to an end.

If at another place of work you received more experience (occupied a higher position) or experience in another field and are ready to share this knowledge and skills with the “old” company.

Oksana Bondarchuk