Going back to an old employer....

[Craphouserat]

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

[Craphouserat]

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 fk 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.

[Craphouserat]

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!

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.

[Craphouserat]

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.

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

[Craphouserat]

crofty1984 said:

Best of luck!

Cheers !

[Craphouserat]

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.

[Craphouserat]

Rude-boy said:

Good luck OP.

I doubt you are there to make up the numbers of to provide light entertainment.

And don't forget do not major on your 'mistake' of leaving, focus on the positives and the wider view it has given you. Reinvigorated and regained my mojo for the work I was doing after a year away from it. You know the sort of thing to say, provided you can say it with truth in your heart - no BS or it may well stick out like a sore thumb.

Cheers.

I think I know how many applicants are getting interviewed - my wife works in the dept. No idea who they are but there are a couple of people i suspect. All good people but I am hopeful of putting in a good interview - should be quite relaxed. The position I'm in at present are pushing the boat out to keep me....which is really nice but at the end of the day I want a return to my old post.

Good preparation should hopefully see me across the line but I guess it's what the management want, maybe they want somebody new with no experience to train up from fresh? Who knows. What will be will be I guess.

[Craphouserat]

Morning all

I got the job !

Start in September - thanks to all who posted advice/good wishes.

Cheers

Barry

[Craphouserat]

Thanks all.


I'm going up in pay....when I moved I took a paycut but I really wanted the job. My current boos has also got me a permanent contract but I've decided to leave and go back.

Main reasons

No shifts - weekends back to me so i can get to the football - flexi time - more money - less stress - don't have to go to court anymore ( if you have a citation to attend and you are on annual leave you still have to attend ).

I will miss the job in some ways - the people are really good - hard working and under paid.

My wife still works in the dept I'm going to and I'm well aware the reasons I left are still there. Its hard to explain by typing here but moving dept has shown me what real stress is and this has improved my ability to cope with it...does thaty make sense?

I'm prepared to go back as the new guy - clean slate with everyone. There were a couple of people I clashed with but you get that in any job. I know the work and the people inside out and I look forward to getting back but will miss my current work mates - really good laugh and look out for each other.

Thanks for the good wishes all - appreciated.

Barry