Career rewind: should you go back to your old job?

There are so many reasons to go on a job hunt. You might want a better salary and benefits package, or a new employer could offer greater flexible working opportunities. It might be the natural next step on your career path, or your job may no longer be the right fit for your life circumstances. Whatever the motivation, moving to a new job is generally seen as progress. But what happens when returning to your old job increasingly seems like a good idea?Is it simply a case of the grass is greener in the old field you used to frequent or are there genuine reasons to make that move? Is it a step backward or more of a reframe now that you know yourself better? As with any career move, the best approach is to drill down into the facts.

Should you go back to your old job? 5 factors to consider

Before you come to a decision, take the time to assess why returning to your old job seems attractive and how that move would impact your life. Here are five questions to ask.

  Why do you want to go back to your old job?

What is the real motivation for wanting to return to your past role and employer?

Is it that your new job, colleagues, and workplace seem scary and intimidating? Or rather, is the process of getting to know them all uncomfortable? Any new situation can be frightening but pushing through that fear is generally the answer.
Do you miss your old colleagues rather than the job itself? If that’s your motivation, why not re-connect with those people outside of work?

Have you spent sufficient time in your new job to realise that it isn’t a good fit for your career path, life circumstances, or work needs? If this is the case, then a job move is a perfectly reasonable response. However, is your old job the answer?

Finally, have your needs and circumstances changed since you left your old job? Is your old job now a better fit for you than your new job?

  How satisfied were you in your old job?

Be honest. How satisfied were you with your past role and employer? You might want to break this down into:

• the job itself
• salary and benefits
• your colleagues and managers
• the company culture
• the location and working patterns
• your opportunities for professional development and career advancement

This should give you an in-depth, factual understanding of whether your old job is a great opportunity, or whether nostalgia is colouring your judgement.

  What is the state of the current job market?

If your new job hasn’t worked out, returning to your old job is unlikely to be the only option available to you. What other opportunities are out there? Analyse the current job market by answering the following questions:

• Are there alternative and sufficient opportunities available in your field/role/industry?
• What is the demand for your skillset and expertise?
• Will returning to your old job enhance your long-term career growth or hamper it?

It may be that your old job looks attractive because it seems like an easy way out of your new job, while there are numerous job openings available to you that would be a better fit.

  Will the work environment of your old job be a good fit?

The reason that you left your old job will generally be because it wasn’t a good fit for your needs, circumstances, and career path. Of course, the company and the role may have changed since you left, or what constitutes a good fit for you may now be different.

Would returning to your old job be a good fit for what you need now? Consider these questions:

• Have there been any significant changes in the work culture or company policies of your ex employer since you left?
• Is your old work environment supportive and conducive to your productivity and well-being?
• Will your old job provide the flexibility and work-life balance you want?

One way to find out is to speak to people you know who work for your ex employer but equally you can discover a lot by searching the company website and social media.

  What are the financial consequences of returning to your old job?

If you return to your old job, how will that affect you financially? This isn’t only about salary, but also benefits and expenses like travel costs.

Example comparison

Your new job offers a salary of £34,000. Your old job pays £29,700 with an annual performance related bonus.

Your new job provides a work pension with an employer contribution of 4%, while your old employer contributes 6% into their workplace pension scheme.

Your new employer provides commuting loans, childcare vouchers, dental cover, and eyecare vouchers. Your old employer offers none of these but will provide a company car.

Wrapping it up

Returning to your old job might initially look like the perfect solution but it’s worth assessing whether that move will truly align with your career goals, personal circumstances, and overall happiness. Take the time to reflect, gather information, and weigh up the pros and cons before making your final choice.