Ask the Expert: Should I return to my old firm?
Our panel of experts answers career questions from readers. Other readers can contribute their views. I moved a month ago from one City of London firm to another to build up a business. Right away I realized that it would be extremely difficult to recreate the success I had had with my old firm for reasons of which I was unaware when I moved. My old firm has asked me to go back, but everyone says that if I were to return, I would destroy my career and would not be taken seriously in the industry. What do you advise?
Who exactly is 'everyone'? The barber and a bloke you met down the pub? Don't listen to them!
We have seldom had such unanimity on our panel as over this question. If you were successful in your old firm and you don't think you can be successful in the new one, and the old firm wants you back - what's stopping you? The only reason not to return is if there were strong reasons why you left in the first place eg. you had gone as far as you could or you no longer enjoyed working there. From the tone of your question this does not seem to have been the case. You obviously want to go back and we can see no reason to discourage you.
It is a feather in your cap that your former employer still wants you. Many firms go into a sulk when someone leaves and like to pretend that the ex-employee wasn't as good as they had previously made them out to be. Some even have an unwritten policy of not taking ex-employees back. More fool them. Sensible employers behave in a more grown-up fashion and understand that sometimes people have to leave to gain more experience or to learn for themselves that the grass isn't always greener elsewhere.
Our experts are speaking from experience. Tony Tucker, a former human resources executive, recalls several instances of people moving back and forth between Bank of America and Citibank without it ever hurting anyone's career. Roger Steare, our career coach, meanwhile, left one firm to join a competitor but returned to his former employer within eleven months - and became chief executive within three years.
So. Go to your former employer and negotiate the best return package you can, then sit down with your current employer and explain why you are leaving. Be straight and honest about what has happened and your career should not suffer.
A reader advises:
You haven't said why it would be extremely difficult to recreate your success. Could you not blaze a trail and really make a name for yourself if you stay where you are? Did you move on a whim? Or were you misled by your new employers? If it's a question of being blockaded by powerful individuals in your new position you'll be better off cutting your losses and heading back. If that's the case, be grateful that the old firm wants you back. Swallow your pride, get back in there and do what you were doing well before - but with bells on this time. Much will be forgiven the successful, including a temporary blip in judgement.
Next week's question: I had what I felt was a good interview at a major financial
institution in London two months ago but have heard nothing back. I sent an e-mail to the HR department but received no response. Despite positive feedback during the interview, I have to assume I will not be getting a second interview. Is there anything else I can do now, or should I just chalk it up to bad corporate manners ?
What would you advise? Send your answer to: expertadmin@efinancialcareers.com.
Look out for the Experts' answer to this dilemma and readers' comments on Ask the Expert next week!
If you want to submit a question to our panel of experts
Our experts include: Roger Steare, a career coach at Roger Steare Consulting, Makbool Javaid, an employment partner at the law firm DLA and Tony Tucker, a recruitment consultant at ERG.
Disclaimer: Ask The Expert is a free service offered through independent experts on eFinancialCareers. The comments and opinions expressed by the independent expert are theirs and are not made as employees of eFinancialCareers.com
