To leave a job after 12 months to return to my old one?

[HereThereNowhere]

I would really appreciate any thoughts or experiences on this one!

A year ago I left a job I had been in for several years to take a similar one closer to home (same sort of company, basically the same job, although less responsibility). There's nothing really wrong with my new job - nice people, flexible working (depending on need I go in 1-2 a week), decent salary etc. However I have never really felt 'settled' or as if the job/company is 'me'. I have found myself missing my old job, colleagues, ways of working etc. There is also stuff coming down the line (don't want to give details but let's say workload / restructuring etc) that concerns me. However it is in many ways a less stressful, more relaxed environment than the one I left.

However my old job is currently being advertised. I'm still in contact with my previous manager, we had a quick text chat last night and I am 95% sure that if I applied I would get it. It would mean a longer and more expensive commute but again probably max 2 days per week, and some weeks not at all. I know the job and the company inside out, and it is in many ways a better 'fit', although the expectations of me would be higher. The salary increase would cover the commute.

I don't know whether to apply or not! Part of me thinks I've just got rose-tinted glasses on and I need to remember all the things that stressed me out in old job. Plus, will I feel stupid going back to a job I left? But I feel bored, uninspired and isolated in new job and haven't yet found my 'place' there, not sure if I ever will.

What would you do?

Absolutely do it!

You should definitely put the feelers out. We can be boomerangs together

I wouldn’t go back I’d see it as a backwards step rather than moving forward.

there were reasons you left, things can’t have changed that much in 12 months and a 4 hour commute round trip is a killer.

my gran always said don’t ever look back just keep moving forward.

there were reasons you left, things can’t have changed that much in 12 months and a 4 hour commute round trip is a killer.

When you put it like that...! All very valid points.

I've done it. I stepped out to try something different and wasn't keen. I spotted a post in my old place which was a step up and I got it. It's lovely to be back with my old team tbh. I missed them! The payrise etc was also welcome!

Personally I probably wouldn't as I'd rather move on. But at my workplace several former employees have returned after some years or in a different role. It works well as they know the systems, ethos etc and still find there are many familiar colleagues.

If your old work place valued you and were sorry to see you go, which it sounds like they did, I bet they'd love to have you back. Always nice to be appreciated.

Having said that I was involved in recruitment for a role not long ago where a former employee applied and was offered an interview. They had worked with us quite a long time previously but some of those of us who knew them were quite clear we didn't want them back. Being on the panel made me feel awkward as I didn't want my personal view to colour things, but in the end most of the panel expressed similar views to me and then I opened up with mine. Needless to say, they didn't get the post.

So you would have to be prepared to be rejected.

I had a job that I did not want to leave but DH had to commute to London (from Cornwall) so we decided to move. I cried as I handed in my resignation! That was 12 years ago and I miss that job. I'm in a good place now but I miss what I had all those years ago.

If you feel it is right for you, do it. Don't live with regrets.

As Wibbli said in above post 'don't live with regrets'
I think you would regret not going for it by the sounds of your posts. Have an informal chat with manager about the role...how things have changed, what's better /worse about it now etc and see how you feel about it. Give yourself time to think carefully about it before saying yes or no. But most of all trust your gut instinct!! Good luck 😊

This is such a timely thread for me. I was in my old job for almost 8 years, which was too long and I was bored. Started my new job 3 months ago, it’s been a bloody hard 3 months and yesterday I told my boss I wasn’t happy. I haven’t made any decisions yet but am seriously thinking of quitting.

Unfortunately there’s no way back to the old job (I would welcome the safe boringness of it!) as it’s a very small company and there are no vacancies. But it’s a small industry and I know my former boss (still a good friend) would put a word out for me and let me know if she hears of similar openings.

I still can’t believe I’m in this position. I’ve never considered leaving a job so soon after starting. But the organisation is chaotic and I don’t have the energy to try and make it better.

Sorry OP that was all me me me! I hope it works out for you - it sounds as though the return to your old place could be a really positive move.

You left your first job for a reason. If it was such a great job, you’d never have moved on.
look elsewhere but don’t return to a job you’ve already left would be my advice.

Thanks @JuneFromBethesda - I hope you can find a way back! You never know when something might come up.