Returning to an old job
It’s been an exhausting and fulfilling start to 2018. I am eternally grateful for the experiences I have had and the many that are to come!
My post today is about returning to an old job that you have already left. In October, I received and opportunity at a company that I personally felt I could not pass up. I had an internship in the industry, the company vibe fit what I was looking for, and it came with a small monetary increase (NOT a deciding factor). I walked away from a job I had for only 4 months for this opportunity.
And now I am back.
The opportunity was not what I was expecting and I felt completely lost in my role. While I wanted to love it, I simply couldn’t. Every day I missed my old job and every day I went to work nervous. The vibe wasn’t what I had expected and neither was the role.
So, I reached out to my old boss and asked for my job back.
And he gave it to me.
I am incredibly fortunate that in my 2-month absence, they did not find someone to replace me. I am incredibly fortunate that I left on great terms so that I would be welcomed back with open arms.
Here is my advice to you:
- ALWAYS leave a job on good terms. Unless you are suffering severe abuse and need to leave a job because of it, do your best to put in at least a weeks notice and don’t complain about everything that went wrong.
- Part of number 1, don’t bad mouth the company during your last week.
- Resign with grace. Make sure you write a formal letter and speak with your boss directly. You are choosing to leave, so you need to build up the courage to quit gracefully.
- Say goodbye to as many people as you can. Don’t forget that these are coworkers that you spent a lot of time with during your employment. You never know when someone might want to get coffee or speak about another opportunity for you.
- Keep in touch. When I left, I made sure all my coworkers had my new company email in case there was something that they needed from me or could not find. I wanted to remain accessible until I was no longer needed.
- Don’t be afraid to admit to making a mistake! When I asked for my job back, I explained my reasoning for leaving and why it was a mistake. I explained what I loved about my job at the company and why I wanted it back.
- Remember, they are taking you back, so you might need to bend a little. My boss asked for a commitment from me to stick around for a bit. That does not mean I will be here forever, but it does mean that I will be around to make a difference and I won’t be trying to leave as soon as the going gets a little tough.
- Don’t be afraid of the pay cut. I was taken back at my original salary and I have zero regrets regarding that. While it would be nice to have some extra cash, being happy and comfortable is even more important. Money will come with success in a job, and it is much easier to be successful in a job that you like.
That’s all of my ramblings regarding returning to an old job. Have you ever returned to a job? How did it go for you? Let me know!