Would you go back to a previous company?

Not looking for advice. I was having this discussion with one of my ex-coworkers over chat yesterday.

To summarize he left the MSP we worked for about a year before I did and left because he was tired of not getting a raise nor promoted.

He saw a position on their site and it is the position he wanted and says he has the experience to do that job. He liked the people he worked for an the benefits. Then he asked what I thought.

My case I've always been told go forward never look back. I always figured if I went back they would think of me as a quitter since I did once before and always have that doubt. I told him he needs to do what is best for his career and his family.

So now I am wondering. Would you go back?

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Comments

networker050184

I've gone back to a former employer with no problems. If they aren't the type of company with the type of people that understand people want to move up and do different things in their career it's not really worth going back anyway.

N2IT

I've done it twice both were good experiences. What I have found out is if they are willing to bring you back you obviously impressed them some how. I actually brought that point up in an interview in a very polite way and it was received well. It's a plus not a minus.

FloOz

I would definitely go back to a previous employer as long as they are willing to put me in a position that challenges me and also compensates well.

Jon_Cisco

I have never gone back having only 3 long term jobs there was no need.
However I did hire back one employee who left for a short time and realized his mistake. I did not regret it. I have always been taught not to burn bridges because you never know where your next opportunity exists.

I think each individual would have to consider why they left and what they gain from returning. If your old coworkers will hold some sort of grudge and shut you out it could be a very bad move. If you were all friends and they wished you well they might also welcome you back.

the_Grinch

Nope. I always find that when I leave a place it is for a reason. Take your friend as an example, he left because there were no raise nor promotions. Why go back? Beyond it being a position he wants once/if he gets it he'll still be in a culture of no raises or promotions. So say in a year or two he'll not be happy again. To me going back to a place you left, whether on good term or bad, makes you look bad. More often then not I find people don't burn a bridge with management, but do with their coworkers. At my last job people would leave and it was full on bragging about how much better it was going to be. A few months later suddenly they are back again. That was mainly due to the fact that they didn't realize how little was actually expected of them until they went to the private sector.

Personally, if I leave I am not coming back. I'm a bit bullheaded and even if I find I made a bad move I'd still wouldn't go back. I keep the contacts, but that is about it.

networker050184

So what if you wanted a position that someone already held so you took an opportunity with another company? No hard feelings. Then that position you wanted is now available? Seems silly to not go back because you once worked there to me.

The_Expert

I'm leaning towards the don't go back and only move forward opinions. I left an employer of 16 years after they stopped treating me right and I was no longer being rewarded / promoted for my hard work.

I am doing something slightly different now and have even taken a pay cut, since I no longer work in management - however, I have so much less stress at the moment and plenty of opportunities to get certified in anything I want (the company pays for certs). So, I still feel I'm better off than my previous gig.

kohr-ah

networker050184 wrote: »

So what if you wanted a position that someone already held so you took an opportunity with another company? No hard feelings. Then that position you wanted is now available? Seems silly to not go back because you once worked there to me.

This is what I think the premise he is going under. He already knows the company. Knows the work. Will get the pay he wanted and he left on good terms I know that.

I find it very interesting to see everyone's thoughts though

If you have an opinion keep offering them I just want to see why people do or don't.

RouteMyPacket

It all depends on "how" he left. Did he burn bridges or was the split done amicably?

I'd go back and have gone back to a previous consulting firm, gave them one year and left again on good terms.

VAHokie56

I think leaving a company on good terms and coming back later because it makes sense for your career or your wallet is fine. In fact sometimes that's the only way to get a nice raise...

kohr-ah

RouteMyPacket wrote: »

It all depends on "how" he left. Did he burn bridges or was the split done amicably?

I'd go back and have gone back to a previous consulting firm, gave them one year and left again on good terms.

Good terms. Just wanted a better position.

Tom Servo

If all of the issues that caused me to leave were addressed, absolutely. However, that would never happen with places I've left so far.

blargoe

I would go back to my last company in a heartbeat if they would increase the pay to market levels for the level of skill needed for the position.

apr911

Reading this thread, I see a lot of "sure Id go back" or "I left for a reason so I wouldn't go back"

Its a very black and white picture to what is a very grey question.

In my opinion, you did leave for a reason and before even considering going back you should evaluate what those reasons were. Then you need to look at what has changed and/or what can be done to prevent finding yourself in the same position. Only after you have done that should you consider it.

Maybe you left because of a sick family member. Probably ok to go back if your family member is no longer sick
Maybe you left because you weren't spending enough time with the family/kids. Probably not ok to go back (unless your family situation has changed)
Maybe you left because of a bad manager. Probably ok to go back if the manager is no longer there or not in a position to impact you.

Bottom line, whether to go back or not is based on the situation for why you left and what has changed, either personally, professionally or within the company.

In this case, your friend left due to lack of promotion and raises. If he is comfortable with being stuck in the same situation, then by all means, go back to work for the company.

As for the companies perspective? If you were a performer before, its unlikely they'll care that you left before. In the off chance they do, you're probably blacklisted anyway and its unlikely they would even make an offer to you.

markulous

^^^
That's a good post.

Why wasn't he promoted before? Is he looking just to get experience here and move on or does he expect to somehow get a promotion later on when he didn't get one before? If the company fits in with his goals then do it, if not then pass.

W Stewart

There's one previous employer I wouldn't mind working for again. The same job that got me hooked on linux. I wouldn't mind working there again and they actually asked me once but it would have been too big of a pay cut so I had to turn it down. Great people and I enjoyed the work though.

W Stewart

markulous wrote: »

^^^
That's a good post.

Why wasn't he promoted before? Is he looking just to get experience here and move on or does he expect to somehow get a promotion later on when he didn't get one before? If the company fits in with his goals then do it, if not then pass.

I believe the op said that the position that he initially didn't get promoted to became available so he's not necessarily going back to the same position or anything. I can understand going back to work for a company in that type of the situation especially if everything else about the company was great except for that one thing. Some companies are just a little smaller and a position needs to be open in order for you to be promoted into it. You just have to understand that if you're looking to move up further, you could be waiting awhile for somebody to quit.

discount81

Yes, the last company I worked for.

I did not leave or get fired, the project I was working on ended, however if the circumstances permitted and a role I wanted was available for the right salary I would definitely return.