Yes, it's often okay and can be a smart career move to return to an old job, especially if you left on good terms and the original issues are resolved or the new role offers growth, but you should carefully weigh the pros (familiarity, better negotiation) against the cons (past problems resurfacing, perception) to ensure it aligns with your current goals and you're not just falling back out of convenience.
It aligns with your career goals.
Going back to an old job doesn't have to mean going backwards in your career. If there are better opportunities for advancement at your previous company — especially if you're returning to a new title, salary bump, or different position entirely — it's probably a wise decision.
When you return to a former employer, it gives you a strong chance to move up in your career – especially if the company values your skills and what you have done before. Even more so when you have a growing understanding of the related industry and insights into the competitors from your prior engagements.
If you've revisited why you left in the first place and your relationships are still strong, going back could be a viable option. One factor to consider is the current job market. If you're struggling to find new job opportunities, returning to a former employer may be a good way to get back on your feet.
The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where employers assess a new hire's performance, skills, and cultural fit, while the employee learns the role and decides if the job is right for them; it's a crucial time for observation, feedback, and proving value, often with potential limitations on benefits until the period ends. It's also advice for new hires to "hang in there" for three months to get acclimated and evaluate the job before making big decisions.
Here's our comprehensive guide to help you spot a potential bad employer before you take a job that could turn into an on-going nightmare.
Most people agree that five years is the max amount of time you want to stay in the same job at your company. Of course, this answer changes depending on your pre-established career arc and the promotions within your company.
The biggest red flags at work often center around toxic leadership, poor communication, and a high-turnover culture, signaling deep issues like micromanagement, lack of transparency, burnout, and disrespect, where problems are normalized and employee well-being is ignored in favor of short-term gains. Key indicators include managers who don't support staff, excessive gossip, broken promises, constant negativity, and environments where speaking up feels unsafe or pointless, often leading to high employee churn.
During times of economic uncertainty and strong job market competition, going back to a previous employer can provide a comforting sense of stability and security. This becomes even more relevant during the 'great resignation' trend, where many people are leaving their jobs.
The biggest signs you should quit are consistent toxic behavior, zero growth opportunities no matter what you try, work that's actively hurting your physical or mental health, situations where you're being asked to compromise your values, and pay that's way below market with no real path to fix it.
Quiet quitting is defined as a disengaged employee doing the bare minimum, eventually leading to their departure. Despite their dissatisfaction at work, quiet quitters continue to collect a paycheck until they finally leave or are terminated.
Some good reasons for leaving a job include company downturn, acquisition, merger or restructuring as well as the desire for change — be it advancement, industry, environment, leadership or compensation. Family circumstances may also be a factor.
Evaluate whether your grievances are short-term inconveniences or sufficiently severe to justify a major change. If you feel your work has become stagnant, a new position might breathe new life into your career. In 2021, companies should offer professional development opportunities to retain their top talent.
Why you may regret quitting. You may regret quitting a previous job because factors that led to you leaving your position no longer are important. Finding a better opportunity, pursuing a college degree, relocating or dealing with a personal or family matter may no longer influence your career decisions.
The "7-second resume rule" means recruiters spend only about 7 seconds scanning a resume initially to decide if it's worth a deeper look, making first impressions crucial for grabbing attention with clear formatting, a strong summary, and relevant keywords from the job description. To succeed, focus on clean layouts (ATS-friendly), a concise professional summary, tailored keywords, and bullet points highlighting recent, relevant achievements, ensuring it passes both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and the quick human scan.
Yes, it can feel awkward and intimating to ask for an old job back after quitting, but it's never out of the question if all ended on good terms. And at the other end, don't assume the company will automatically re-offer the position.
It's not embarrassing to return to an old job. However, you should be mindful of the reception you'll get when you return. Think about how you left things with both the employer and your coworkers. If the thought of re-applying for your old job fills you with sheer dread, that's a sign that it may not be the way to go.
15 acceptable reasons for leaving a job (with example answers)
Nearly half of American workers have been at their jobs either less than a year (22.2%) or more than 10 years (26.2%). The average American worker has been at their job for just under four years, according to January 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Many words that scare human resources fall into clear categories: Legal and sensitive terms: “harassment,” “discrimination,” “lawsuit,” “retaliation.” These words trigger legal and compliance concerns because they suggest unresolved, serious workplace issues.
Five key signs of work-related stress include physical symptoms (headaches, fatigue, sleep issues), emotional changes (irritability, anxiety, mood swings), cognitive difficulties (trouble focusing, poor decision-making), behavioral shifts (withdrawal, increased substance use), and performance decline (lower output, errors, procrastination). These signs often manifest as a persistent feeling of being overwhelmed, leading to physical tension, mental fog, and strained relationships at work and home.
The three golden rules of an interview are Be Prepared, Be Professional, and Be Yourself, emphasizing thorough research, appropriate conduct, and genuine personality to showcase competence and fit for the role, ensuring you understand the job and company while presenting your authentic, confident self.
The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule that derives its name from its requirement that workers clock in from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week, resulting in employees working 12 hours per day and 72 hours per week. It is practiced illegally by some companies in China.
Correction: The average time we are expected to work is 42 years. Careers have always been short and fleeting, so the idea that the concept has any sort of longevity is wobbly at best. Today, the modern career doesn't span decades.
This is where the 70% rule comes in—a powerful job-search strategy that encourages you to apply for roles where you meet at least 70% of the listed criteria. Here's why it works: Your Skills Are More Transferable Than You Think.