Maybe you quit your job, but your new gig is an absolute nightmare. 😝Maybe you left your old employer to retire, but life handed you lemons and now you need a job again. 🍋
Maybe you only left because Linda from accounting heated up one-too-many fish sandwiches in the breakroom microwave…but now she's gone! 🫢🐟
Whatever your reason is for wanting your old job back, you're not alone. It's actually pretty common. 💼 However, if you're considering returning to work at a place you once gave a "peace out" to, it's important to weigh the pros and cons.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on boomerangin' back to your old employer:
- 🫡 Veteran Status - A pro of rejoining an old employer is that you already know the drill. You know what management is like, you have relationships with co-workers, and you're used to the company culture. Being the new guy or gal on the job is a lot like your first day of high school and let's be honest. Who wants to relive that? Going back to your old gig means no newbie jitters so you can get right to work.
- 🤔 Different Angles - Another pro is your ability to bring a fresh perspective to your old gig. Depending on how much time you've been away, you've probably picked up a skill or two that could really help your company. Bringing outside knowledge, skills, clients, and customers into the mix might have your employer drooling over your new secret sauce recipe.
- 🌉🔥 Burned Bridges - On the flip side, employers might be a little skeptical of bringing an old employee back due to bad blood. Even if you left on what you thought were good terms, management may feel you're not as dedicated as someone who stuck around. This might prevent you from getting rehired or make it #awkward if you do.
- 🕺 Same Old Song and Dance - Another downside is that it's likely things haven't changed much since you left. If you left the job because you weren't satisfied with people or processes, it's likely things are still running the status quo. It's up to you to decide if you want to re-enter a workplace you know is toxic or go back to a job with bosses who don't make you feel valued. Pro tip: talk to trusted former colleagues to see if what you used to complain about changed before reapplying.
- 🤑 Dude, Where's My Raise? - It's no secret that moving from one employer to another usually results in a decent pay raise. However, there's no guarantee that your old company will up your paycheck. According to a recent survey, people who changed companies got an average salary increase of 14.8%. Compare that to the average yearly merit increases for existing employees, which hover between two and four percent. Don't be surprised if going back to your old job includes getting paid your old salary.
🔥Bottom line: At the end of the day, only you know if heading back to your old gig is the right move. Sometimes, it's your only option. In that case, we hope it's a workplace you love…and that it loves you back! Feelin' funky about discussing your salary with coworkers? Read all about why it's no crime in this article.
Have you ever returned to a job you left? How did it go?
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