Applying to a job I've done previously?

[pyjamas89]

Sorry it's a bit long!

I worked in a role for 3 years. Really liked the people and the work culture. Felt I was a liked and appreciated part of the team (which is something I sometimes struggle with as I am autistic). It's a big employer which I found to be very accommodating, supportive and flexible regarding my disabilities.

About two years in I started to get itchy feet. I'd been very unwell and out of work for a year before I applied for the job and I wanted something that I knew I could do if I was having a bad day, that wasn't too taxing. This job was definitely good for that period of time and really helped me to get back on my feet and back into work, but I wanted to find something a bit more challenging as I found myself getting bored. I waited for a year to see if something else came up at the next grade which would have been a little more money and more of a challenge but nothing was advertised because of a big recruitment freeze. I was offered something elsewhere so decided to move on.

I've now been in the new job for a year and I'm really not enjoying it. It's very different to how the role should have been because of covid and I can't see it getting better. It's stressful and I know it sounds terrible but I've got total compassion fatigue dealing with the kind of clients we look after. My circumstances have also recently changed; my Mum has become very unwell and I'm looking after her, and I think this is going to be the case for the foreseeable.

A friend/ex colleague has just told me my old job is about to be advertised (because of covid they didn't recruit anyone when I left, so the post has been vacant for a year.) I know I might not get it but would it be mad to apply? I really can't decide. I know I like the people and the environment, even if the work is dull. I am fairly sure I do want to move regardless; I have applied for a couple of other things too. I was actually offered a different role by the original employer just before Christmas but they couldn't accommodate my request for flexible working in that team so it fell through which I was pretty disappointed about. I don't want to feel like I'm moving backwards but the familiarity is really appealing.

Would you apply?

Absolutely you should apply. Good luck

No

Never go back.
It won't be the same and it will be harder than starting in a new company because people will judge you for it.

@StripeyDeckchair

No

Never go back.
It won't be the same and it will be harder than starting in a new company because people will judge you for it.

I agree with this. Don't go back to your old role. If you went back it should only be on a higher grade role. People will judge and talk about it.

Lots of people leave my work place and return, sometimes into a grade lower or higher, or some right back where they left. We are always pleased to see them and take it as a compliment that they wanted to return.

You were bored in that job, it's why you left. Keep looking for something new.

Definitely apply. Last July, I moved back to a previous job and have no regrets. Like you, I had changed jobs because I wanted a challenge and progression. Then things changed in my personal life and I missed the flexibility of the old role. A job came up, I applied and got it. They were pleased to have someone with a good knowledge of internal processes. Good luck 🤞

It depends, do you want the stability of a job you know you can do, the flexibility, the familiarity etc etc or are you thinking about your long term career progression? There's nothing wrong with going back to something you've done before but how will you feel after a few months and the boredom sets in again?

People leave my employer and come back regularly. Sometimes the grass is not greener.

I can see where you're coming from - I often think about going back to my old job but then I focus on why I left in the first place! Although it might be "easier", you'll probably get bored again. Good luck!

If you now have to care for your mum I am guessing that you are now looking for work that is not so stressful and demanding. Whereas previously you were searching for a role which "stretched" your capabilities. Nothing wrong in that. Your social obligations and priorities have changed so this is a pragmatic choice.

You may need to account at interview for why you want to return to your former role without slagging off your current employer. You should give that some thought for a rationale which will not make it sound that you want to return to an "easier" job.

I can see why this is tempting but you left it for a reason and that reason will rear its head again.
I went back to one job (very briefly) and it was a short term contract only. It suited me and the company but I regretted it shortly after I went back.

I felt I had to be 'grateful' all the time. whilst there and when I did speak up about something I was uncomfortable doing, I was told I should be appreciative that they had given me the role at all. I was so glad it was a short term contract and whereas I had been sad to leave the job originally, I was delighted to leave it the second time.

I returned to a job I'd left 6 months later. I really didn't enjoy my new job and missed my old one. I have been back a year and don't regret it at all. I appreciate my job for what it is now instead of having "itchy feet" and leaving and returning made me realise, that whilst the things that annoyed me about my old job are still there, they aren't the end of the world and to look at the bigger picture. I was a bit embarrassed returning but everyone seemed happy to see me and it felt like I'd never left.

I went back to a previous employer after less than 3 years out. Been back 17 years now and was not judged.

I applied for my old job back a few months after leaving as the new job wasn't for me. Ended up being offered the role with a big pay rise, and ended up turning them down for a different role elsewhere. It would have been nice to be back but I had left because I was bored, and the role wouldn't have changed.

I'd apply, and you can always drop out at any point of the application process if you reach a decision against taking the job.

The question you need to be ready for, in interview, is how they know you'll stay. They know you've left once because you wanted a more challenging role, so why wouldn't you do that again? I think they'd need to be convinced that it's not just that the new job didn't suit you as well as you hoped, but that you're actually happy to go back to the undemanding role - either because you've decided you prefer monotony to stress altogether, or because your caring responsibilities mean that you're better suited to a less demanding role for the next few years.

@StripeyDeckchair

No

Never go back.
It won't be the same and it will be harder than starting in a new company because people will judge you for it.

I disagree. I went back to a previous job and stayed 12 years.

Plenty of people leave jobs / organisations and then return. No harm in applying.

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts.
I've been pondering many of things you have mentioned, which is why I have been hesitant, so very helpful to hear other people's experiences.

I have noticed lately that many other vacancies being advertised by the organisation are for internal applicants only, so I have slightly been wondering about a foot in the door approach as I would be keen to return to them as an employer...

You can absolutely go back, but don’t chuck in a random application give your former manager a call and speak to them about the possibility.

Not many people are able to go back to jobs they leave due for a variety of reasons. I always think highly of those that do because it means generally they are well regarded by managers and peers and are high performers.