A Return to the Scene of the Crime

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Now that companies have begun to hire again after almost 2 years of purging staff, competition has become greater then ever. So a job seeker needs to stand out and distinguish themselves more then ever. How about if they are trying to get their old job back or work for their old company? It happens more frequently then one thinks. In the case of employees who are skilled workers that handled a specific trade for an organization (manufacturing typically) they are frequently recalled to organizations without much of an interview process because it is easier to rehire those folks then train new ones. Further if they are still unemployed after a layoff earlier in the year they are more eager and will probably work for less then in the past and frequently decreased benefits as well. However other employees who may have worked for an organization and were perhaps laid off in the first wave of reorganization might be given the opportunity to re-interview with their old organization and perhaps even their old boss? If you loved your job before you were laid off how do you try to get it back? Unless laid off for cause many organizations would much rather have an old employee back then hire a new one. Reason being you are a known quantity. No training, no company or cultural adjustment, typically little to no ramp up time, you are eliminating the most expensive piece of the process for an organization. In trying to interview with your old organization and perhaps your old boss for your old job, play up a few key elements. Make sure to focus on your successes, instances where you were a good employee to include areas where you might have saved the company money, brought in a project on time and under budget, etc. Mention situations where you displayed that you were a good team player and focus on your ability to come in and get up to speed immediately. Given the constraints all companies are under a quick ramp up is HUGE!!! Given that you know your old job better then anyone, talk specifically about your experience within that role and your knowledge that would be an asset versus someone with dissimilar experience.

If things have gone well and you are negotiating with your former employer for compensation, benefits and the like, indicate flexibility and understanding of the organization’s challenges financially. People and companies always like when you have compassion and can relate to what they have or are currently going through. Indicate your ability to once again be a team player and your flexibility while maintaining your enthusiasm for returning to the organization. However do not go the desperate route because an organization will more then likely take advantage of your weaknesses. If you have been unemployed and “really need a job”, that is understandable but if they rehire you, they just saved a lot of money don’t let them take advantage. It is fine to be flexible and perhaps accept less but do not let an organization completely devalue your experience and you as an individual. They know what your compensation was in the past and your worth; don’t let them abuse that understanding! If you are successful in getting back into your former organization or job you want the same level of respect on both sides to be present. If you allow a company to pay you substantially less to do the same tasks, the resentment that may not have been present in the past will most certainly be there now. Good luck and happy searching!