Going back to an old employer....
Discussion
Won't bang on about this - I left a job after 18 years last May to move into a different department/job. I fancied something new. A year on I'm still not fully trained and my contract hasn't yet been made permanent...my old job was and the only reason I'm still temporary is they are currently harmonizing T@C's across the board. I will get a perm contract when this is complete. These are the main reasons I now wish I hadn't packed in my old job...there are a few others.
I left my old job on good terms and considered myself a good employee - no sickness record to speak of, professional and proactive. They gave me a great reference.
My new boss knows how I feel and appreciates the reasons I have given for wanting to return to my old employer - he doesn't want to lose me.
Today my old department have advertised the same position/grade I was previously on (wife still works in Forensics).
So to the reason for the post.....have you ever went back to an old job/what was the interview like? I imagine it must be a bit surreal. Any words of advice re the application form - any specific things that might be good to say? I'm not too proud to admit I made a mistake and the grass isn't always greener.
Thoughts/personal experience appreciated.
CHR
I left my old job on good terms and considered myself a good employee - no sickness record to speak of, professional and proactive. They gave me a great reference.
My new boss knows how I feel and appreciates the reasons I have given for wanting to return to my old employer - he doesn't want to lose me.
Today my old department have advertised the same position/grade I was previously on (wife still works in Forensics).
So to the reason for the post.....have you ever went back to an old job/what was the interview like? I imagine it must be a bit surreal. Any words of advice re the application form - any specific things that might be good to say? I'm not too proud to admit I made a mistake and the grass isn't always greener.
Thoughts/personal experience appreciated.
CHR
It depends on the business you are going back to. We have had a few 'grass is greener' resignations and people wanting to come back after various periods of time (1/2 years). The interviewers know this and usually grill them on why they want to rejoin the business. All depends on the reasons. I'm aware of an ex colleague that left in a whirl of 'screw you x! I'm off to y!' and was being unsuccessfully reinterviewed a year later, their exit certainly wasn't forgotten.
That said, management have always told me that to get a significant payrise, i'd really have to leave the business and rejoin later, as you can usually negotiate higher than work your way up. Weird really.
That said, management have always told me that to get a significant payrise, i'd really have to leave the business and rejoin later, as you can usually negotiate higher than work your way up. Weird really.
The job I left paid better than the one I'm in.....I left for other reasons. If successful I know what the pay will be pay - given my experience in the job I imagine i would start near the top of the pay scale.
What I'm wondering is will the management say f
k you....you made your bed etc.
I left on good terms and I'm good at my new job...just like I said - the grass is always greener. The money isn't my main concern. I'm guessing from an HR point of view they can't just say ignore that application. I'm in no way guaranteed to get it...and certainly don't think I'm a shoe in but I think I'd at least get an interview.
Really just wondering how much I should be kissing arse etc.
What I'm wondering is will the management say f
k you....you made your bed etc.I left on good terms and I'm good at my new job...just like I said - the grass is always greener. The money isn't my main concern. I'm guessing from an HR point of view they can't just say ignore that application. I'm in no way guaranteed to get it...and certainly don't think I'm a shoe in but I think I'd at least get an interview.
Really just wondering how much I should be kissing arse etc.
Oddly enough a friend of mine who worked at our place got poached from an ex member of staff a few weeks ago. There were a few feathers ruffled as this ex senior manager took 4 of our good production staff since he left.
Fast foward a few weeks and a shake up at the new company meant that my mate was left in a sticky situation and is coming back to work for us. He's changing jobs and departments so I suppose it's easier to return when you have a diffent boss but he must have felt a bit silly in his interview, especially given how soon it was since he left.
Fast foward a few weeks and a shake up at the new company meant that my mate was left in a sticky situation and is coming back to work for us. He's changing jobs and departments so I suppose it's easier to return when you have a diffent boss but he must have felt a bit silly in his interview, especially given how soon it was since he left.
I've done it - was poached by an ex workmate along with several others (most of who left on very bad terms). Fast forward 8 weeks and the new job really isn't working out, I walked on the Friday (one and only time I've ever done so), happened to speak to an old colleague on the Saturday and had a phone call from the company director on the following Monday offering my old job back and asking me to be in Tuesday.
Personally having done it I'd see no reason not to do it again assuming you left on good terms.
Personally having done it I'd see no reason not to do it again assuming you left on good terms.
Craphouserat said:
...the only reason I'm still temporary is they are currently harmonizing T@C's across the board. I will get a perm contract when this is complete...
If you go back, even on a permanent contract, then you will be a new starter which means the employer can end your employment easily within the first two years by simply saying 'it isn't working out'. Beyond two years you get more rights/job security. Make sure you have a plan B to pay the bills/get a job if it goes pear shaped. I personally would want to be really sure that the previous reasons for leaving were sorted before going back.Terminator X said:
I wouldn't go back. Why did you leave and has anything there changed?
TX.
This sounds cheesy but after 18 years I really did want a new challenge. I was bored/in a rut/ and fed up with lazy so n so's at my old job - who despite being lazy always managed to make themselves look good with the bosses!TX.
The new job is proving to be something else....staff numbers are very low meaning a lot of pressure on those in the job and there is a massive amount of negativity about the place that does eventually drag you down with it.
Weighing everything up I think I made a mistake. To enlighten everyone a bit I worked in DNA in Forensics and moved to become a Dispatcher....still with the Police. So I will be moving back to Forensics (if successful)....my years of service remain and given my experience in the job (one of the most experienced around in DNA profiling) I should start at near enough the pay I was on before I left. I actually took a pay drop moving to become a Dispatcher.
My wife works in the Department I left and states that there have been improvements in certain areas that I was disgruntled with...at the end of the day what job doesn't have slight grumbles? I did leave for a new challenge and I got that alright...but it really isn't what I thought it was.
Thanks for all the replies - appreciated. I hope the above answers some of the questions put to me.
For me so long as you didn't tell any home truths when you left and burnt your bridges then I would have thought that your old place should welcome you back with open arms.
Presuming that you have rare skills in your old role (?) then taking on someone who can hit the ground running without any training or a long settling in period would put you at the head of the list.
I seem to be permanently recruiting and my eyes open wide when I see a CV from someone who has worked for us before, knows all of our systems, understand the culture, etc. recruiting a 'new' starter is risky and involves a structured training plan, so I have to invest a lot before I get any payback.
Having said that then sometimes new blood, attitudes, skills, etc are absolutely right.
I would want to know at the interview why you left and that you were committed to hanging around this time. If it was a case of grass's greener gone wrong then I would accept that. Making mistakes (not saying you did) is how people learn and grow.
If they want to interview you then they are seriously considering you for the job. No one can afford to waste time doing interviews out of courtesy or to meet and chat to an old face.
HTH
Bob
Presuming that you have rare skills in your old role (?) then taking on someone who can hit the ground running without any training or a long settling in period would put you at the head of the list.
I seem to be permanently recruiting and my eyes open wide when I see a CV from someone who has worked for us before, knows all of our systems, understand the culture, etc. recruiting a 'new' starter is risky and involves a structured training plan, so I have to invest a lot before I get any payback.
Having said that then sometimes new blood, attitudes, skills, etc are absolutely right.
I would want to know at the interview why you left and that you were committed to hanging around this time. If it was a case of grass's greener gone wrong then I would accept that. Making mistakes (not saying you did) is how people learn and grow.
If they want to interview you then they are seriously considering you for the job. No one can afford to waste time doing interviews out of courtesy or to meet and chat to an old face.
HTH
Bob
Assuming you'll have to jump through the hoops of a formal selection process, you will need to be thoroughly prepared for the interview.
I once applied for a job internally when it looked like my current role was drawing to a close and for lots of silly reasons just didn't prepare - the feedback was that I could plainly do the job but I interviewed poorly so they offered it to someone else who interviewed better. It was a sobering experience, and fortunately my role didn't expire after all so I'm better off all round
(In fact during the interview they asked if I was willing to take a pay cut which didn't go down well, and can't have helped my chances of selection!)
I once applied for a job internally when it looked like my current role was drawing to a close and for lots of silly reasons just didn't prepare - the feedback was that I could plainly do the job but I interviewed poorly so they offered it to someone else who interviewed better. It was a sobering experience, and fortunately my role didn't expire after all so I'm better off all round
(In fact during the interview they asked if I was willing to take a pay cut which didn't go down well, and can't have helped my chances of selection!)This used to happen quite often at my old workplace which had a really good culture at the time. Occasionally a good employee would leave for the temptation of more money, a change, promotion etc and then, after a few months, seek to return. Being a smallish company I knew most of the team quite well and would to want to satisfy myself that they had given the new job enough of a chance and it was not just the initial shock of change that was behind the second thoughts. I wouldn't want them back if I felt they were damaging their careers. Neither would I want them back if they felt we were a soft touch and a safe haven until the next better opportunity came up. If it was a genuine mistake then fair enough. This is what I would test at interview as well as any positives they had learned from the experience of the other workplace.
Bobhon said:
For me so long as you didn't tell any home truths when you left and burnt your bridges then I would have thought that your old place should welcome you back with open arms.
Presuming that you have rare skills in your old role (?) then taking on someone who can hit the ground running without any training or a long settling in period would put you at the head of the list.
I seem to be permanently recruiting and my eyes open wide when I see a CV from someone who has worked for us before, knows all of our systems, understand the culture, etc. recruiting a 'new' starter is risky and involves a structured training plan, so I have to invest a lot before I get any payback.
Having said that then sometimes new blood, attitudes, skills, etc are absolutely right.
I would want to know at the interview why you left and that you were committed to hanging around this time. If it was a case of grass's greener gone wrong then I would accept that. Making mistakes (not saying you did) is how people learn and grow.
If they want to interview you then they are seriously considering you for the job. No one can afford to waste time doing interviews out of courtesy or to meet and chat to an old face.
HTH
Bob
Very helpful - thank you.Presuming that you have rare skills in your old role (?) then taking on someone who can hit the ground running without any training or a long settling in period would put you at the head of the list.
I seem to be permanently recruiting and my eyes open wide when I see a CV from someone who has worked for us before, knows all of our systems, understand the culture, etc. recruiting a 'new' starter is risky and involves a structured training plan, so I have to invest a lot before I get any payback.
Having said that then sometimes new blood, attitudes, skills, etc are absolutely right.
I would want to know at the interview why you left and that you were committed to hanging around this time. If it was a case of grass's greener gone wrong then I would accept that. Making mistakes (not saying you did) is how people learn and grow.
If they want to interview you then they are seriously considering you for the job. No one can afford to waste time doing interviews out of courtesy or to meet and chat to an old face.
HTH
Bob
I have made a genuine mistake and when i heard the job was advertised I called my old manager to let her know I would be submitting an application. This wasn't to brown nose or anything like that - just a courtesy call so she wasn't in any way shocked. Giving her a bit of warning hopefully gives her time to think about it....both the positives and negatives.
I started my old job when the department first opened in 1996 and remained there until 2014 - I was the first scientific member of staff there and have seen the place grow. My new job has greatly enhanced skills I had....mainly communication skills/IT skills - dealing with 999 calls, the general public and difficult cops as well as many external agencies such as Social Work etc etc has helped enhance the skills I already had. This isn't BS - some people that were employed alongside me have left already or been off with stress because they cannot handle the job. It brings a lot of pressure and multi tasking is massive part of the job. Doing jobs for cops is one thing but when a 999 comes in they must be answered pronto and they can be challenging themselves.
The main reason for wanting back is the contract is still temporary...despite promises I would be permanent by now. They know I'm annoyed with this and they keep making me promises. There a other reasons....I could bang on but won't.
I didn't burn any bridges when I left and indeed left on good terms with everyone. Yes I had issues with a couple of members of staff....but after 18 years people working together will have the odd issue with each other. However, should I be successful, I will be the new guy and will start fresh/clean slate with everyone. Life is too short....I made a mistake and I've already told my old boos that. Like people have said here...we're all human and this is part of the life's rollercoaster !
It is a formal process so there are no guarantee's that I will get the only job there...however I'm 99% certain I will get an interview...the skills and job knowledge are pretty specialised. Not blowing my own trumpet...it's just a fact that should get me an interview.
Thanks again to everyone...been very helpful. I will let you know how it goes.
Back to the application form !!
Cheers
Edited by Craphouserat on Friday 15th May 11:43
Wee update...............
After HR having the applications for 5 effing weeks....for an internal post !.........I have got an interview July 7th.
Time to prepare.....will be a tad surreal getting interviewed by two people I helped train up back in the day and spent many an hour in various bars with them !!
Cheers all.
After HR having the applications for 5 effing weeks....for an internal post !.........I have got an interview July 7th.
Time to prepare.....will be a tad surreal getting interviewed by two people I helped train up back in the day and spent many an hour in various bars with them !!
Cheers all.
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