Rethink before rejoining your old employer
SEVERAL reasons can be attributed to quitting a job on hand. Being essentially ambitious, we set new goals and look forward to taking on new challenges. When you resign, you feel that you leave your job forever. But, what if you need to rejoin your old employer? Little would you have ever thought of such an option. Some questions you need to ask yourself, before proceeding. Read on to find out.
First determine what made you leave the job. The reasons can personal or professional. If your reasons were personal, like home or academic commitments, rejoining is a welcome option. But, be prepared for changes and garner all the skills you have acquired during the interim period. If on the other hand, your reasons were professional, as in for a better offer; or a conflict/grievance at the workplace you need to analyse if you would want to actually go back.
Rewind: Trace the reasons. It could have been a job burnout, excessive stress, or a non-creative dead-end, which propelled you to resign. Check if the company has grown or the same old conditions of work prevail since you quit. If it were the latter, you would be prudent to think of another option. You can't quit all over again
Change for good: Assess the direction you would like your career to take. Evaluate the current position of the company and verify if the transition from your current status to joining your old employer could be beneficial. Do you stand to gain by joining the company, or would it mean losing out on better opportunities? Check if your career would take a progressive turn or a down slide. Your choice depends on this fact
Responses: Ascertain the reaction your resignation had evoked. Was it a positive? Were there any ill feelings? Your professional relations with your old employer and colleagues are extremely important, while considering a comeback. After all, the work environment and relations could affect your job performance, for the better or worse. If you feel that you would not be welcome and hard feelings could still prevail, quit the thought of rejoining
Rejoin: If your old employer is still open to working with you on the basis of the healthy professional relationship you share with him, the job could be worthwhile! Being called back and accepted with open arms surely gives you a high, when you are considering rejoining. Also it could help you move in the desired career direction. Accept the offer, if you are satisfied with the terms and conditions of work, besides the healthy professional relations you share, at the workplace
How do you enter your workplace without feeling solitary and out of place? Here are a few tips to help you rebuild your career with your old employer:
Thank your employer for offering you the job and accepting you back. Express happiness over the warm welcome your colleagues have extended
Discuss the skills you have acquired newly, in the interim period with your employer and colleagues. Also assess how you could put them to the best possible use, for the benefit of your organisation
Past skills need not be done away with, either. Look towards integrating your skills and utilising them to the maximum extent and talk it out with your employer and colleagues
Get a clear idea of the role your job could play in the hierarchy and current plans of the organisation
Rebuild your network of colleague-friends and clients, forge new bonds and create a conducive work environment and relations
Thus the next time you are in a dilemma of whether or not you should rejoin your old employer; consider the guidelines discussed. Make the right choice and tread the right career path.
PREETHI RAGHUNATH
faqs@cnkonline.com
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