When you were first laid off or furloughed, you might have felt that you would do anything to have your job back.
But time has passed, you’ve been turned down for other positions and the bank account is thin. Suddenly your old company calls and makes you an offer. Maybe you’re excited at first; you’ve been out of work for a while and the mortgage is coming due. You could see your old colleagues and you did like some of them.
And then maybe the resentment creeps in. They didn’t want me before; why do they want me now? Will I be involved in the same projects? Working with the same colleagues; will those colleagues still be there?
It’s an important decision. Here are several questions that Marco Buscaglia in Careers suggests you consider:
- Are you still angry about having been let go? Are you angry with colleagues who were invited to stay on? Or do you still have resentment towards the boss who laid you off? Can you control those feelings?
- Will you be given interesting work? At your previous salary?
- Will you be given some extra benefits? Perhaps you can negotiate for an extra benefit or two that will be meaningful to you and your family. (e.g., health insurance, tuition)
- The biggest question is whether you’re still interested in the work you used to do. That interest might help you get past some difficult situations. If you no longer have any interest in your previous work, you might need to consider accepting this move very carefully.and continue searching for other opportunities.
If you’d like to discuss whether to stay with your current company or make the transition to other companies, other positions or a new career, talk with career coach Judi Lansky.
