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Would you consider hiring an ex-employee or would you avoid?

- Candidate employment record with ex-employer is good
- Candidate left on good terms
- Candidate knows the environment
- Candidate now more qualified with more experience

I am considering applying for a vacancy where I held my first job.  It's a stable environment and more regular hours and holidays.

I just wondered what your take was on this and if you have ever been the ex-employee or one of the hiring panel.

Yes, why not.  

I have been on an interview panel where that very thing happened and the person recruited later went on to be the head of the department.

So, go ahead, Gee.  The very worst thing that they can say is "no".

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance

Thanks.  I appreciate that.

Under the conditions that you list, I would definitely go for it.  The only proviso / query / hesitation I would have is under the "why I left" umbrella.  Playing Devil's Advocate, I can imagine a potential employer might think, well, she left before so she's not going to hang around...

But then, if it's not the same (or very similar) position then definitely no worries at all about applying.

Gem yes you are right but this was my first perm job and after 2 years I got offered a higher graded job elsewhere and I took it.  At the time if I had hung on there would have been no guarantee a higher graded position would have become vacant.

The role I would be applying for now is a grade above that and a much more senior role given the job spec and salary.

Hi Gee - talk about instant messaging!!

Well, definitely apply for it.  No potential employer should be concerned about what obviously good honest career progression and, as you say in your first posting here, you can bring a lot back to the company - not least, I suspect, a desire to put down roots and regain that stability.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

One concern I have is that there will be a lot of grades sitting just below this post that will no doubt apply.  So it will be interesting to ascertain if new blood is desired or if someone else can be promoted to that post.

You'd be the best of both worlds, I reckon.

You'd bring new blood to the company in that you've been out of the place for a couple of years so a fresh outlook BUT you know the company, the environment, probably the systems they use so not too steep a learning curve.  

Could it get better than that?!  I doubt it.

And it's inevitable that there may well be lower grades hoping to get a step up both internally and external to the company.  I know that there were two internal candidates that applied for the job I now have.

Here is the recruiter / hr version:
You left the company.  Even though you left on good terms, gave notice, you still left the company.  Two years is a long time, our company has changed. (Answering the question about retained knowledge)  Your loyalty to the company is questioned, it won't be directly, but the subtext is there.
I am not saying don't apply, definitely apply.  I wouldn't expect to be ahead in the que though.  I personally believe the old saying "you can't go home".
In the US it's not unusual for a company to have a no re-hire policy.

Well, Gee, I just did it.  I went "home again."

One year ago I left a job I had been in for 10 years as an executive assistant. I left for a "better opportunity" and because of problems with the latest CEO at the company. I chose to leave quietly because of the new opportunity. I burned no bridges with anyone.  The new job was for more money, better benefits, more interesting work, etc.

To make a long story short, the new job at my new company was not what I envisioned, I was very unhappy. In the meantime the CEO at my old job left the company.

After 10 months I decided to leave my new job. I contacted the VP of HR at my old company to ask if I could use her as a personal reference while I job hunted again.  She agreed and said she wished there was something for me at my old company - but there wasn't.  Two days later, someone quit at my old company. They had to follow company policy and post the job internally, but no one was qualified and I was offered the job.

I'm back at my old company, but in a new dept. I still do exec assistant work but also have more challenging work to do than before.

I guess I am an example of "yes, you can go home again."  In fact, on my first day there was a beautiful plant on my desk with a balloon that said "Welcome Home!".

Edited by glow8490 on 11/04/09 07:46 PM.

Way to go!  It always pays to not burn bridges.  Congratulations and wishing you much success in your new assignment.

I have been shortlisted to attend an interview in 2 week's time, however the time I have been given is very late in the afternoon which means waiting around all day for it.  

I'm not sure if I should go into work in the morning or take the whole day off as I have already planned to take the following day off as leave.  I would have preferred a morning interview but I guess I have no control over that.

Please keep fingers n toes crossed as I need some luck!

Gee - that's great news.  Fingers and toes duly crossed so thank god for spollchicker!

Thanks Gem.

I completed an IT test last week in advance of my interview.  It seems hundreds have been shortlisted (or near enough) so my guess is there is more than one vacancy.  Apparently all those shortlisted for the test will also be interviewed.

FYI Marie, he test was in 2007 and at first glance, I didn't like it at all.  However I am sure that with some training, I will get up to speed.

2007 is a whole different animal, isn't it? Word was the worst for me from a transition perspective. Excel and PowerPoint were similar enough it wasn't a big deal.

Marie

Marie
Peer Moderator

Yeah it seems that way.  You should have heard the oohs and ahhs reverberate around the room when we were told to open a new Word document....was quite funny in a way.

I will definitely have to consider MOS 2007 certification now.

Perfect example of what we had talked about a few months back about how it is always wise to be prepared for future job searches!

I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time. If you'd like, I can send you the small handout I put together for my study group. It's not highly detailed like my usual handouts - this one is more of a simple "cheat sheet" of where commands are located.

Marie
Peer Moderator

Marie, that would be a great start, thanks!

I guess you can never be too prepared.

Marie

As you know I have this on my laptop to learn and am finding it quite hard to work on so would also appreciate your cheat sheet...

TIA!
Jackie

Jackie, Peer Moderator

If possible could I have a copy too?  Many thanks.

Marie

Sorry, I think I've started something here!

Jackie, Peer Moderator

Here you go. I posted it on my website:

http://www.mrhenterprises.com/PivotTables.pdf


Marie
Peer Moderator

Marie, this is on pivot tables, thought you were going to send shortcuts?

Oops you're right gee. I had pivot tables on the brain since I had just taught the class and put the handouts together.

Here is the Excel 2007 Exam Prep Stuff I had put together for my study group. This includes the "cheat sheet" as well as information pulled from Microsoft and Certiport's website regarding preparation for the MCAS: Excel 2007 exam.

http://www.mrhenterprises.com/handouts/Excel2007ExamPrep.pdf

Marie
Peer Moderator

Thanks very much.

Update...

My interview took place this afternoon and I was very nervous given I was really keen to move from my current role.  I am not sure however how this went so here goes...

I was brought to a waiting area outside the interview room.  After a few minutes I was asked in and took a seat in front of a panel of 4 people, all from various divisions within HR.

I was informed the interview would only take 15 minutes and that made me even more nervous.  Each of the panel asked me a couple of questions, and each question had at least 2 or 3 parts to it.  As you can imagine trying to give examples of everything they asked in 15 minutes was rather daunting.  Even though I had prepared well, I found it was all a bit rushed and I'm not sure I did as well as I would have liked.

The scenario is that the vacancies are with a local university, in fact it's where I had my first permanent job, many moons ago.  It seems that while there are currently several vacancies, successful candidates not offered a position this time round, will be placed on a waiting list.  In time, as vacancies arise, those candidates will be contacted and considered for the roles.

I was a bit disappointed at this, knowing that I could either be unsuccessful, or that I may be successful but not be offered a position for a role at the minute.  It would mean however that I could be contacted down the line should something else become available.

The panel would not reveal how many vacancies were currently available but assured me that all candidates would be contacted within the next 2 weeks and informed of their status.

On reflection that allows me some breathing space to take stock and assess my situation.  I think based on today's events, I can say that I will probably remain in my current job for the time being until I know what the result of my interview is.

Have any of you ever been through a similar kind of interview process/selection?

Did you apply for an actual job vacancy advertised as such?  If so there may be issues here about being misleading. . .

it does seem odd and how on earth do you acquit yourself in 15 minutes.  I take it it was the dreaded competence-based style interview?  I can't do those to save my life.  I know what I can do and I do it well but don't ask me to give examples in an interview situation, my mind goes blank, no matter how you prepare.

Jackie, Peer Moderator

Yes I responded to a job advert.

I too hate competency-based interviews but that's the way it is these days - some however are more easy going than others eg. the interview for my current job was only half an hour but not as tough as yesterday.

Anyway I shall await the outcome with baited breath.

It has been nearly 2 weeks since my interview and I have heard nothing.  

I shall give it a couple more days but would it be ok to make a phone call towards the end of the week if I haven't had any correspondence?

I was informed on the day that all candidates, regardless of whether successful or not, would hear within 2 weeks of the interview date.

Years ago when I had an interview for a job, I usually had a phone call the very next morning, by 9.30am at the latest.  Obviously that doesn't happen these days.

In the US resumes don't generate follow up, but usually after an interview I would get either a letter or phone call.  Only the companies that interview way to many candidates don't follow up with them.  I didn't want to work for a company that can't cull through resumes anyway.  Interviewing more than five or six for a position is not smart planning and not an effective HR team.  (the five or six candidates past the initial hr interview that is)

Edited by atlantaz3 on 09/06/09 02:52 PM.

This is slightly different Atlantaz.  There is not only more than one vacancy at present, but successful candidates who are not offered positions this time, will be put on a waiting list to be offered future positions as and when they arise.

I just wondered after nearly 2 weeks of waiting, should I follow up with a call or wait a few more days?

Wait till the 2 weeks are up and call next day.

Jackie, Peer Moderator

I think if I just expect worst case scenario then anything else is a bonus - ah the pessimist in me!

Well wouldn't you know you can rely on good ole Royal Mail to mess things up?

I have just called to see if there was any feedback re the interview I attended over 2 weeks ago.  It seems all the letters went out last week (!) and of course I haven't received anything.

The person I spoke to said she would email a copy of my letter to my email address which I cannot access in work, so I will have to wait until this evening to read it!

Nightmare - I am not hopeful at all.

Imagine if I got offered a post that expired within 7 days?

Fingers and toes crossed that it's the news you want when you get home.

I've got someone checking my personal email account as we speak.  Two hours later and the letter isn't even emailed!

Unsuccessful, no explanation.  I have drafted a letter asking for feedback.

Stuck here, in cold air con, bored, with nothing to do - great!  

Commiserations Gee...roll on the weekend heh.

Thank you.

Now that I have got over the disappointment, I have read the letter again.

I am a complete fuss-pot when it comes to detail so you will understand my frustration when I notice that somehow during the mail merge, part of my address has been omitted.  The remainder of the address is all on one line.  

Given the letter was probably sent in a window envelope for easy posting, the Post Office would have been unable to deliver it as not all of the full address was visible.

It's done now but what a mistake to make.  I waited an extra week to receive this news when in fact I should have received it last week.

I have still not received this letter in the post today and doubt I ever will if that's how it was addressed.

Sorry to hear this, Gee.  And what a foul-up the notification was.  My only advice - and advice you yourself would give, I expect - is pick yourself up, don't let it get you down and carry on looking. The right job IS out there.

Thank you Gem.

Northern Ireland is very small however despite the recent economic downturn, my company is one of the ones that is thriving - it's just not providing me with anything challenging and that's my gripe.

I miss organising events, attending meetings, mail merges, charity work, trouble-shooting on MS Office, desk-side coaching, dealing with external bodies etc.

It's a shame we get made redundant from jobs we love and cannot get out of the jobs we dislike.

Keep your chin up.  Everyone is put in a place for a reason.  Roll with it until the right job comes your way.  It will.  Think positive.

Every time it does Peaches I get made redundant.  How long do you have to wait for the right job?  Doesn't one get too old after a while?  There are others coming out of college/university half my age with degrees etc.

I see others here who have been in their job 20 years with the same boss and that counts for more than qualifications eg. loyalty, stability etc.