AIBU to apply to return after leaving for another role?

[Tatenk]

I previously worked for employer A. I was there for 3 years and left to work for employer B in January. I really liked my time A, left on good terms and only left because B seemed a good opportunity for progression.

Unfortunately the work at B hasn’t been quite what I’d hoped. It’s been good experience but I wanted to do work in a particular field and there has been much less of that than I was led to believe at interview. However I can definitely sell the time I’ve spent here as valuable experience.

If you were an employer, would you consider someone in these circ? I’ve never been anywhere less than 3 years before so don’t have a jumpy CV. Worth a shot? I’d really love to go back to A and am kicking myself for having left.

(If it makes a difference, A and B are government departments so recruitment is done against strict criteria- I won’t be marked against a criterion of why I’m moving so quickly. But equally there’s no scope for reaching out to my old boss at A.)

I did that, though was gone for a longer time. I was offered a job back at the original company. You could just be honest and say it didn’t work out and you missed company A!

You have nothing to lose.

I got reinstated. And I know quite a few people who were! You can depending on rules within the department. Is the job still empty? Speak to your previous LM. There might be possibility to reinstate to similar post if yours has been taken if your department allows it. Go for it! This happens to so many people.

I quite happily re-recruited someone who had left us and had a similar experience to the OP. I was glad to have him back.

Yes I know lots of people who have come back to my large employer - certainly wouldn’t put me off applying there again.

Does the form allow you to say your reasons for applying, or could you shoe horn it in somewhere? I think saying something complimentary about your old job and former manager and wanting to return might go down well?

In one company I used to work, it was the only way to get away from being on the grad salary, onto the higher level. Join as a grad, stay a couple years, leave, come back and be on higher salaries than the grads who stayed behind (now your junior colleagues).

Progression is via movement

I’ve recruited quite a lot of people who left thinking the grass was greener, then found out it really wasn’t. If they’re good and experienced it’s beneficial to both parties.
I’ve also not shortlisted people who’ve left and I wouldn’t re-employ.
Apply and see what happens, you’ve nothing to lose.