Have you ever gone back to the same place a few years after resigning?

[NineToFiveish]

I resigned a few years back, and was gutted to do so - the reason I left was lack of internal progression opportunities and low-ish pay. They counter offered before I left but I just couldn't stay. It was the right choice, but I was sad to go.

The head of the department has recently resigned and I'm confident I could do that job. I'd love to work with the same team again, but obviously in a different way, in a leadership position.

Has anyone ever done this? How did it go for you?

(Obviously just because I think I could do it doesn't mean the hiring team would necessarily agree!)

Yes I did, went back as a Partner after not securing a promotion two years earlier. It was a great move for me.

Yes I was a locum, left and returned as a manager 10 months later. I didn't want to leave in the first place though so I was very happy to be back in the team and in a promoted role.

Ah that's really good to hear, congrats on making that move work for you. What made you want to go back after not securing the promotion? Were you with the same team?

Yes I did, left for a job which fit what I had done previously, that went spectacularly wrong (nothing to do with me but there was huge drama!) The next job was the worst job I have ever had so went back to a job I knew, still there now! Was the right decision for me

Same team and they were very sorry to see me leave, made a counter offer when I resigned but I was too principled to turn down the role I had accepted. I returned because the firm I’d joined was taken over by a larger one. I didn’t like the ethos of the takeover firm.

Yes, twice, and many others at my (large) company have done the same, often more once over their careers. As long as you left on good terms no reason why you shouldn't

Yes, I've done this. I went back for a much better job than the one that I left, and I don't regret it at all. I stayed for 4 years before moving on somewhere else. I only moved on because I ended up with a really shit line manager.

Not exactly the same, but I was doing temp/bank work somewhere for a year. They cut their temp staff so I worked elsewhere for 2yrs. The manager started asking me to return- which I eventually did.

Within 12mths, I was the level above the manager who had asked me back and many colleagues I've previously worked with. Boss has gone by then though. It was still a bit odd at first, but was the best move I'd made and really set me up.

I left there 6yrs ago now- and would never go back! Too many changes and restructures since then, and no where near the same as before. Best of luck.

Thanks for this insight! I'm pleased to see these sorts of returns didn't lead to awkwardness with coworkers. That would be my main concern, really.

It's happened many times where I am, as long as you left on good terms no reason it would count against you. I would say rejoining the same team and being in a higher position than when you left can sometimes cause issues, but probably nothing that would be unmanageable.

There are companies with alumni networks and they are the second place they look for staff after internal. They know you, you know them and the culture, if you left on food tens and get the job theres a god change it will work.