Rejoining old employer
WHEN you quit a job, you usually think you are leaving the organisation for good, unless it is a planned break with the consent of your employer. Sometimes, situations unfold in such a manner that you want to or feel that you should rejoin your previous organisation. How far is it advisable? How far is it sagacious to consider career opportunities with previous employers? Deciding whether or not to go back often lies in knowing how to differentiate a strategic career move from a mistake! When considering rejoining your previous employer, go through the following steps before making a decision:
Start reminiscing:
Why did you leave your previous job in the first place?
Was the exit due to professional or personal reasons?
If the reason was personal, like ill health or home commitments, or to pursue your academics or to improve your skill sets, then it is not a bad idea to rejoin them if you had felt comfortable there in the past. You should also see that your previous organisation offers enough scope to implement the skills you honed in the meanwhile. But if the reasons for your past exit were professional, then you need to do some real thinking. Go through the following checklist:
Reasons for leaving
It is possible that you were overworked and stressed out, or felt that you had reached a point in your career in the organisation that you could no longer move up the corporate ladder.
If the firm has increased its administrative support staff, or has grown and created need for a highly qualified individual matching your present credentials, considering an opportunity with the firm might not be such a bad idea. Otherwise, look elsewhere. It is a big world after all!
Company's progress
Check it out if they have grown or adapted to changes in the industry and economy. If you don't find any such changes, it's a sign that the firm is not progressive enough to offer you a position that aids your professional growth. After all, whenever you change, it should be for the better.
Response
Assess how your exit was handled. Did you leave on good, professional terms? Would you return to the company in a position higher than the one that you left? Are you on good terms with your old colleagues? You should also consider how welcome your return would be.
Consistency with career path
When you left the previous employer, you surely had a vision about your career, some plans to be carried out and a certain direction to steer yourself. So, before considering an opportunity with a previous employer, ask yourself is that what you wanted?
You are in demand!
In case you are being requested by your previous employer to rejoin him, remember that when being pursued by a former boss or co-worker, it is easy to get carried away by the flattery and the desire to be a hero. However, make sure that any career move is consistent with your goals.
Flattery is good while it lasts, but you don't want to wake up after a couple of days when the euphoria has died down and think remorsefully, Oh no! Why did I do that? Meanwhile, although there was probably a valid reason for your leaving the previous employer, it is not uncommon for a firm to change over time, or for you to realise that your past employer still has something good to offer.
In which case you might as well rejoin him.
MALLIKA JAYASHEELA
faqs@cnkonline.com
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