to wonder how (or if) to approach a former employer?

[StillWondering]

She is a small business owner. We used to have a very good working relationship but parted on bad terms about 5 years ago. Now she has started a new business. I would really like to work for her again but have no idea how she will respond. I don't know whether to contact her with a proposal or just leave it.

I suppose the worst case scenario is that she will laugh in my face. Bruised ego, but no worse than that. But I don't want to waste my time.

Would you ever consider re-employing a former employee? I was always very hard-working and reliable. However, I had trouble getting along with other employees at times. I assume that would automatically rule me out as a re-hire? What do you think? I'm just not sure what to do.

I wouldn't rehire someone who I fell out with and who didn't get on well with colleagues.

Depends on the bad terms you parted on really. Did you leave to get a new job and she got the hump? Did you give sufficient notice?

It really does all depend on what happened to create the bad terms you left on, but if you're thinking about it enough to ask on here and you have nothing to lose except a bit of ego, then put together your proposal and ask.

If you don't ask you'll never know, and you're unlikely to look back in a years time and regret asking, but there is a risk you'll regret saying nothing.

I was let go at the end of my contract as otherwise I would automatically have become a permanent employee (law in the country I live in, non-UK), which is not a good thing for a small business. I got the hump because of the way I was informed. Then she got cross when I assumed that we would not be working together in the future. It was all very confusing!

She has a lot of great ideas and is a bit all over the place in executing them I think. Brilliant in business but not so great in people management. I am quite emotional, not a good thing in business. In general though, we got along really well and she always said how happy she was to have me on board.

Ach, I feel bad about the whole not getting along with people thing and feel like it makes me unemployable! The only way to give this is a go is to put my ego on the line, isn't it?

Cross-post Ptolomeys! I wish you weren't right but I fear that you are

Yes, it is. And if you're ego gets a battering, then you can help repair it by remembering that you were courageous and humble enough to take a chance.

If you're ready for a rejection, you have nothing to lose.

Make a point of saying that you regret the way that it ended, and that you've worked on your people skills (providing that you actually have, and those same problems won't be issues again). Tell her that you think you still have a lot to learn from her and you'd like to work with her again.

If you were a good employee for the majority of your time there, and she enjoyed working with you, then you stand a good chance. No one but her would know, though.

At least you won't wonder if it could have been, if you ask.

Provided you can cope with a bruised ego, I'd give it a shot. It would probably be sensible to refer to the previous problems in your application and to suggest that you have learned from the experience after 5 years of reflection.

Was thinking of inviting her for coffee to discuss, but now I'm like AAARGH what if she's forgotten I existed!

Could you just send her an email rather than risk being rejected to your face?

If she doesn't respond, you could re-send it, with a note saying that your email server is playing up so you're resending just in case the first doesn't get through.

If she is open, then you could ask about the coffee.

Little update, not that anyone has been lying awake wondering how it turned out

After much thought I decided not to approach her. I think it was just my ego not liking her going on without me. If I'm honest I don't really want to work with her again anyway.

I was very grateful for all advice and opinions, thank you!