Job Vacancy

[gee4]

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.

[rose.winter1980]

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

[gee4]

Thanks.  I appreciate that.

[geminigirl]

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.

[gee4]

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.

[geminigirl]

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!

[gee4]

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.

[geminigirl]

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.

[Atlanta Z3]

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.

[glow8490]

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.

[peaches2160]

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

[gee4]

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!

[geminigirl]

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

[gee4]

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.

[msmarieh]

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