Regretting your resignation

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been all over the news lately. Favre is no stranger to the spotlight; his retirement this past received significant media attention.

Now people are talking about Favre and his change of heart about his career path. Many people were surprised when his team (the Green Bay Packers) did not welcome him back with open arms. This story continues to be filled with twists and turns, and it is unclear whether Favre will get his wish and play pro football again this season. (Updated to add: As we now know, Favre IS back in the NFL and playing for another team.)

Many of us have probably made the same kind of decision about moving on from a job. And at one time or another, we have also probably experienced the same kind of regret about leaving. The question is: once you leave, can you go home again?

Here are some things you may want to consider before you think about returning to a previous employer.

• Take off the rose-colored glasses. If you miss your old job, think about the reasons why you are feeling nostalgic. With time and distance, we may only remember the good things about a job, and overlook the reasons why we left in the first place. Take some time to really think about what your day was like. Better yet, go back for a visit. You are more likely to view your old workplace in an objective way.
• Ponder your career path. Think about your career, and where you would like to be in five years. Does your old job get you closer to that destination? If you dislike your current job, returning to your old workplace simply out of comfort is a bad idea. Make sure any return to a previous employer fits in with your overall career path.

In some cases, returning to an old job may be the right step. But doing so may take some considerable planning, as well as some explanation on your part.

The company will want you to answer two questions: Why did you leave? And why should we take you back? If the door to returning to an old job appears to be open, be prepared to answer those questions.

You should also be ready to present your former employer with a plan of action. You should outline the positive impact your return would have on the company. Management will want to know that your return is a long-term investment, not a stopgap measure until you get another job. Developing and sharing a long range plan would show them your commitment.

This may also be a good opportunity to make adjustments in your role with the company. If boredom was part of the reason you initially left, be frank about that in your discussion with them. Let them know you need new challenges or a change of pace.

If there were personality conflicts, you should also be honest and blunt about those as well. Those kinds of issues are unlikely to have gone away in your absence, but some companies may be flexible enough to accommodate changes you may need to make the second time around more successful.