After leaving their current company for a supposedly good job position, many employees wish to return to their previous jobs. It can be due to the work environment or perks that do not match their current employment.
In such cases, people try to seek to rehire support from their ex-employers. And this is only possible if you have left the company on a good note.
So, always remember to leave a company on a positive note and on good terms. In this article, we will tell you how you can ask for your job back in your last company, and how to communicate such requests via email.
When to Ask for Your Job Back
Before getting into the formalities of asking for an old job back, you must do your research to go back to the old job before requesting the old employer or former manager.
You can ask yourself from below questions to see if asking for your old job back is a good idea or not:
Did You Leave on Good Terms?
Having a good standing with your previous employer helps asking for your old job is possible. If your former boss considered you a good resource and bid you goodbye saying you were always welcome to join back, you should know they appreciated your work.
So, this may be a sign to ask for your job back.
Why Did You Leave the Position?
Remember why you left the job in the first place. Was it to earn more money or to change the work profile? What made you take that decision?
If you feel that it is something manageable or if you can expect a possible hike on joining back, you should request a rehire.
However, if you had difficulty dealing with the work culture followed at the previous company, you should think before you decide.
Is Your Old Position Still Available?
Before asking about your old job, check with your co-workers or the recruitment team if the position is vacant. Imagine asking for a job that isn’t there anymore.
You’d feel embarrassed and upset. Also, going back to an old position that you are accustomed to will be a good thing only if the company is hiring for that profile.
Are You Still Connected With Employers and Employees?
Often, when people leave a company, they also leave behind the connections they made during their employment with colleagues or managers. This is generally because people assume they’re gone for good.
But in time of need, these same employees from your old company will be the first few you will want to connect with. So, ask yourself: will this person even remember me? Would they respond to my request?
However, if you maintain connections with your colleagues and close friends from your ex-company, there’s nothing to think about or worry about.
Have You Carefully Considered Your Decision?
After doing some research and going over the above questions, just think over the decision again. Going back to the same job with the same people and same work responsibilities is a big decision.
And unless you don’t have another option, it is best to wait for a week and make a list of the benefits and setbacks connected to it.
Why Would You Use Email to Ask for Your Old Job Back?
Asking for a second chance to have your job back would require a proper explanation. Hence, an email would help communicate your situation and why you would want your old job back.
Through an email, you can easily convince your old manager, hiring manager, and the human resources head together while also giving them reasons for considering you. Most importantly, an email would allow you to share what can be expected of you.
You can add your updated resume, added skillset, and a cover letter sharing what you are capable of now.
How to Ask for Your Old Job Back via Email
Below are tips that will help you write an effective email to ask for your old job back:
1. Address your former employer
Always remember to address your email to your old boss. It would show that you respect and care for their approval to have any chances at further HR rounds. Also, this is the only appropriate way to have your old job back.
Your former employer knows you best, and if you write an email to them, they surely will consider you, that is if you were a great addition to the team.
2. Write the introduction
You may have worked with the company for several years, but it is good to share about the new you. An introduction in the email informing them which department you were in, your designation, and how long you were associated with the company.
It would help them rethink any potential negative thoughts towards your rehire request. Also, focus on your ideas or activities that helped the previous employer do better and explain how you’ve grown since you left and what you have achieved professionally.
Talk about your upgraded skillset and your new knowledge base.
3. Explain why you left the position
Essentially, you would be explaining why you left the company. It is always good to be clear about why you chose a new position or a new company over your existing one. It can be a financial requirement or a family urgency that required relocation.
Even if the reason was a career growth opportunity, a new gig with a new role, your ex-manager would understand and consider you for a rehire.
4. Ask for your old job back
Get to the point. You are writing the email to ask for the job back. And that’s what you should get to after you have noted the above points in your message.
The intention to get rehired should be cleared right after you give them the reason for leaving in the first place. It helps them understand why you are reaching out to them.
5. Craft the conclusion
Ending an email is crucial, and you will need to be careful here. You do not want to end it abruptly or have a dramatic emotional ending. You must be grateful to your ex-manager for reading your email and considering your request.
Ensure that your email offers the scope for them to connect with you. Hence, at the end of the email, remember to add your phone number.
You can also add the duration in which you will be available to appear for an interview. And lastly, sign off with a short thank you, best regards.
6. Proofread your email
Ensure to proofread your email before sending it ahead. Any minor mistakes or spelling errors could make the readers believe that you are not serious about the opportunity.
You can also take help from your peers or family members to give feedback on the content. It would help you send an error-free and professional message to your ex-employers.
7. Include a subject line
Adding a subject line to explain your details would help the recipients to prioritize reading it. You can add your full name in the subject line, along with ‘request for rehire’ or anything similar that helps them get the gist of the mail content.
8. Check job availabilities
Before sending the email, always check if the expected job position is available or not. In case the position has been filled already, you can mention that you are available to work in a different position also. It would help them keep you as a potential candidate for another suitable job role.
Email template
Here’s a template to help you create the rehire request mail:
[Add the email subject]
Dear Mr./Ms. [Add last name],
[Here, introduce yourself in this order: your full name, your last designation in this office, the department, and the duration for which you were associated with this company.]
[In here, try to explain the your reason for leaving the job. After this, you can add all the new learnings and responsibilities you’ve added recently, and how this knowledge can benefit if you are rehired for your last job role.]
[In this paragraph, specify your request for getting rehired for your former job.]
[End the email with a short conclusion. Thank your ex-employer for taking out the time to reading your email and consider the request. Try and portray eagerness to have the job back. Don’t forget to add your phone number for the concerned person to contact you. You can also share your availability; in case an interview is scheduled.]
Thank you,
[Your full name]
Example email
Read the below example for a better understanding:
Subject: Jane Doe – Requesting rehire for the Communications Executive role
Dear Mr. Peterson,
Hope you are well. This is Jane Doe. I worked as a Communications Executive for your New York office from December 2016 to 2019 in the marketing department.
While I had a great experience working at the NY office, I had to move on to a new job role to pursue a growth opportunity in a publication house. I planned to expand my skill set and hence had to make the move.
I’m glad to say that I did a lot and can proudly say that I’m effluent in a variety of writing techniques and marketing skills now. And as much as I’ve loved my new job, I feel working with your New York office was still something better and way beyond my current role.
Hence, here I am, making a formal request to you to reconsider me for the same job role. I’d understand if the position is no longer available, and would love to try a new role in which I can use my skillset.
With this, I’d like to thank you for giving your time and considering me. I’m eager to be back at my old office, using my skills to help the company do better. I’d be delighted to share more about my new skills if an in person meeting is set up for any open positions. I am reachable at 012-3456789 and available on all working days between 1600 and 2000 hours.
Thank you,
Jane Doe
Have a Back-Up Plan
Even though these tips will help you plan and perform better, relying on just one rehire request may not be the best option to get a new job. Hence, it is always appropriate to have a backup plan and look for other openings if things do not work out at your previous company.
Good luck.