The Boomerang Effect

That resistance to becoming a “boomerang employee” or a “boomerang hire” (terms used to describe employees who return to previous employers) makes sense.

Layoffs can be a blow to your confidence, so many workers are likely carrying around a lot of hurt feelings. They also have a healthy amount of skepticism about whether or not the same thing could happen again.

However, boomeranging is fairly common, with recent research revealing that 28% of “new” hires in a range of industries were boomerang hires.

If you’re struggling to determine if boomerang work is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind.?

1. Understand the pros and cons

Despite your initial gut reaction, boomeranging can be very positive for a couple of reasons:

• You can skip some of the initial onboarding stages, as you have familiarity with the company and many of its processes
• You’ve already built a reputation and, you can pick right back up from where you left off with your career growth

But with that said, there can also be a few drawbacks. For one, it can be hard to shake your feelings of uncertainty or bitterness, particularly if the layoffs were recent. There’s also a chance that if you were laid off with a large number of colleagues, it can feel difficult (and even disloyal) to return to that organization and work with a new group of people.?

2. Do some honest self-reflection?

Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide whether or not to come back to a previous employer. Do you feel excited, grateful, happy, or elated about the potential of returning? Then this could be a great sign that you are making the right decision.

On the flip side, it’s best to turn down the offer if you feel:

• Eager to see what else is out there
• A strong grudge or feelings of cynicism
• A loss of respect for the employer because of how they handled previous layoffs
• Tempted to return simply to prove a point that they never should’ve let you go

It’s also worth revisiting the circumstances of the previous layoffs. If it was an economic layoff and they handled it as best they could — decent severance or trying to help me find something else — then maybe. Remember there is a difference between being let go because of performance reasons or an employer who pushed you out the door without a second thought.?

3. Use the interview process to your advantage

Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions to help you make a better-informed decision. During the interview or hiring process, ask:

• Why and how was the previous layoff decision made?
• Is the financial stability of the company still a concern??
• Why are they interested in bringing you back now??
• Have they had other previous employees return? If so, what has that experience been like??

These questions can help you get a better understanding of the current opportunity and some peace of mind if you do decide to accept the job.

Even something as simple as the employer’s reaction to your questions can provide helpful clues. If the employer is rubbed the wrong way that you’re asking questions that are important to you, that states a lot. ?

Deciding to return or move on

If a previous employer laid you off, you might’ve sworn that you’d never go back. But, valuable opportunities can come from anywhere — and that includes your previous employers.

If you had a positive experience (aside from the layoff), you might not want to be so quick to write off the job because of your bruised ego.

Embrace the idea of viewing your career as a jungle gym with unconventional twists and turns. Returning to a former employer may not align with your initial expectations, but it could still prove to be a valuable and worthwhile experience.

Are you contemplating a career shift but find yourself uncertain about your options and the initial steps to take? Are you seeking practical guidance on navigating transitions after a sabbatical, pivoting careers, or formulating effective strategies for handling interview questions from recruiters?

I invite you to schedule a Free 15-minute Discovery Call at your convenience. Simply click on this link: [https://bit.ly/3Lj7DQm] to schedule the call so we can discuss how I might be able to best assist you!