31–40 of 48 posts
I did. Best thing I ever did. Was hired back with 25% more pay. After switching I realized the job I had was a very rare “not a web app with a database” and I wanted back to my old gig with actual interesting problems.
I often considered joining an old employer. I never did because the ways in which they were stuck are still true, and I think "changing the system from within" can be a lost cause. But if I were truly stuck, I'd know who to call.
It seems to me it happens more when there's truly great people and interesting projects in general at the core of the company, but the dealbreaker is "temporary" stuff like salary, a stinker of a project, refusal to promote, etc.
I almost returned to a prior employer and was in final discussions before accepting a different opportunity.
A good lesson to never burn bridges when you leave.
I was recently brought back to do a weekend's worth of consulting for a former employer and help them bid on a new project, with the offer for a lead position on that project should they get it.
My employer would essentially blacklist you if you left so you could never come back. They're getting desperate for people and are now making some exceptions. It's not very common though. Plus, most people don't want to come back (pay tends to be lower).
It's been about a year and a half since I last left them - I suspect one of their veeps will be reaching out sometime in the next few months just to "see how (I'm) doing"...I don't think I'd go back this time if they do reach out unless they throw obscenely obscene amounts of money my way.
In this situation a lot of the top people will just keep doing stints anywhere between 2 and 7 years bouncing between major competitors in the field.
Pharma, Automotive, Semiconductor fabrication, are good examples of this.
Arguably in some countries where the law allows it non-compete terms may limit this.