You've recently gotten a new job. However, you have a nagging feeling that you made a career mistake. Don't stress, here's how you can get your old job back.
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Haven’t we all wished we had a time machine at some point? You finally start your new job but you can’t seem to shake the sinking feeling that you’ve jumped from the frying pan into the fire. If you've realized that quitting your last job was a mistake and wish to get rehired, you're not out of luck. You can make amends with your ex-boss as long as you parted on good terms. Even if you didn't, you might still have a chance.
I had a friend who went through a similar ordeal and returned to our company within 1 week of leaving. He'd lost so much weight and looked so tired in less than a week that you'd think he'd been deployed to the battlefield.
What should you do first?
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Ask yourself if you really want your old job back. It's also crucial to consider why you opted to quit your previous employment. If nothing has changed, other than you disliking your current work, it may be best to continue your job hunt for a better fit.
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Make a list of the reasons you left, and then make another one of the benefits of returning. Consider asking for your previous job back or new employment with your former company if the benefits exceed the drawbacks.
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Did you leave on good terms? If your ex-boss thinks well of you, it may be considerably easier to ask for your job back. Leaving on good terms might imply that you resigned professionally and maturely. If you didn't, perhaps it's time to move on.
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Is your old position still available? Your position may have been filled by another candidate who was interviewed by the company. You may confirm this by looking through their job advertising online, asking a friend who works for the company, or contacting the Human Resources department.
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Keep in mind that there’s a chance that you might get rejected.
Here’s how to ask for your old job back:
Send an email - The first step is reaching out to the company to confirm the possibility of you returning to the company. You can seek an in-person meeting or send an email inquiring about the possibility of you getting your job back. Here's a template you may modify to meet your specific situation.
“Dear xx,
I hope you and the rest of the team have been doing well?
Looking back, I understand that working at XYZ business was really important to me, and my new position has made me even more appreciative of the team I had at XYZ company. As a result, I'm writing to enquire about the potential of returning to my previous employment as a Marketing Analyst at XYZ Company, which I've had for the last four years.
In the interim since I was a Marketing Analyst, I've gained expertise with........... These abilities, I feel, will be useful as ABC Company expands its reach and audience.
If the company decides to rehire me, I understand that my position may have been filled. If that's the case, are there any other available roles I may apply for? Do let me know.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. I await your positive response.
Best regards,
Name”
Be open to other positions at the company - Don't be afraid to compromise. Companies are prone to rehire ex-employees who have previously performed well for them. So if your position has been filled, enquire about alternative opportunities for which you may be qualified. There could even be a job that is a better fit than the one you left. Believe me, I've seen it happen.
Rather than rehiring you because you made a mistake, the employer may more readily justify hiring you back once you've learned new experience.
Be prepared - Your former employer may be inquisitive as to why you left and why you want to come back. You may best prepare by making a list of questions they might ask about your choice to quit. Here are a couple of such examples:
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"What is it about your current job that makes you unhappy?"
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"Why should we rehire you?"
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"What talents do you believe you've learned since you left, and how will you put them to use in your new job?"
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"How can we be confident you'll remain longer and be loyal to the company?"
Have a plan B - It's possible that you won't be able to return to your previous position. Prepare a backup plan and be ready to begin your employment hunt afresh. Hearing "no" is tough but it may be preferable in the long run to examine alternative possibilities and keep your career moving ahead. Here are some pointers to help you with your next job search.
If you receive a positive response from your former company, the next step is to gracefully resign from your new position - here’s how. Although it may be unpleasant, quitting a job you've just begun may be the best decision for you not to burn bridges.
