Is Going Back To A Company You Used To Work For A Smart Decision?

This is an easy one. Sometimes you leave a place not because you hated working there, or that there wasn't enough growth available or money available. But because there were other forces at play, say a need to move cities, a personal reason, just time for a change—these are all good reasons to leave a job, even if you loved it. And in such a case, if the opportunity presents itself to go back to a familiar place with newer challenges, there is nothing wrong with taking it. As long as you know that it is a place that will enable, encourage and invest in your professional growth, go for it! 

If there is one piece of professional advice I have both gotten and given the most in my life, it is to always leave a place on good terms. Sometimes it's hard to do that, on account of the people, culture, opportunity, or all of the above bring the ABSOLUTE worst, but it is best to gently give feedback. If that is not received well, make a professional, amicable exit stating career growth as a reason. It keeps doors open, and that is always a good thing. If an ex-company contacts you for a new role or you see an open position that would be a great next step, but the place is one you left because of any of the reasons stated above, I would say really think about whether it is a good idea to go back. Ask yourself these questions: 

1. Has the culture there changed? 

2. Do you know who you'll be reporting to and if they are someone you can see yourself working with long term? 

3. Is it really worth it if you cannot say for sure you won't end up in the same position as before? 

I wouldn't say don't consider it, but sometimes no matter how great an opportunity seems, the holistic big picture might tell you something different. 

This can be a tricky position to be in. If you've left a company on bad terms, whatever the reason—you were young and didn't know better, personal reasons made it impossible to leave on good terms, the company made it difficult to leave on good terms—it can be very difficult to go back to the company. But not impossible. Let me tell you story to illustrate. A friend of mine, let's call her Aditi, was too young and a little rash to know any better and left a great company within eight months of joining and it did not sit well with her seniors. Almost two years later, there was an opening at this very company that would be perfect for her, and she was looking for a step up. But, she knew that she could not just apply without mending bridges first. She found out if her seniors will still at the company, and two of them were. She reached out to them, and they were open to a conversation. After an honest conversation, this senior referred her and she was hired very quickly! 

This is an extremely valid and a really good reason to return to an old company. Sometimes you know you could have achieved more at a place, whether it be in terms of your own personal growth as someone in a specific industry, or because you think you did not adequately exploit the resources available at this company. It can feel like that at companies where growth is accelerated and the change to work across teams and upskill are available and encouraged. These are great places to go back to, and you absolutely should.  

If you've reached a point in your life where you are tired of the grind, you would like something familiar and easy, don't let #hustlebros tell you any differently. It is okay to seek comfort in your professional life. Not everyone is built the same, and not wanting to climb the ladder and only wanting a job to stay a form of sustenance is completely fine. It is also a great reason to go back to a company—you know the culture, the pressure, the people, the growth path and the work. 

What's most important is that you are sure you will be valued at this company. Now if it happens to be a company you're coming back to, so be it. Second chances can sometimes feel like a completely new experience! 

And that’s all for this month’s gyaan! Send me your questions here, and I’ll answer them in next month's column anonymously, so your thought spiral can stay our little secret.