5 Reasons You Won’t Get Rehired

So, you are unhappy in your current job. You do all your research and find a great opportunity with the perfect position. You ask around and get great feedback regarding the company and the position. Then you weigh the pros and cons of staying versus leaving for the new opportunity and decide it will be better for you to go. So, you turn in your 2 week notice and look forward to your new position. As your time winds down you start to have some doubts and think, “I can always come back, right?” Wrong. There are no guarantees.

Just because you and your boss remain Facebook friends and most of the office LinkedIn with you, does not mean you can return. Most companies will not rehire employees as a general policy. As surprising as it may be, you resigned and that changes things. If you find that you have jumped from the frying pan into the fire, here are 5 things your previous employer is thinking:

1. A resignation is a form of rejection. Something made you leave and whether you told your previous employer the truth regarding your resignation or not, you have rejected them. If you left during a time where they needed you most, they will never overlook this fact  but they will wish you the best in your continued job search.
2. They know you are not happy with your new employer and don’t want sloppy thirds. You left basically saying the other company was better than theirs. Whether it was more money, a corner office, better benefits, or whatever, they know that you were not happy with them. Even worse, they now know your are not happy with your new employer and deep down they feel vindicated. They will wish you the best, but draw the conclusion that no employer will make you happy.
   
3. You were not as valuable as you thought you were. This happens all the time. You felt you put your time in and contributed as much as the next person; therefore, you were vital to your department. If you did not make yourself standout and receive commendations for your work, you most likely will not be considered for rehire.
4. You were formally disciplined for your performance or your behavior. Whether you were constantly tardy, absent, or just were not good at your job and it rose to the level of documentation, then you will not be considered for rehire. Behaviors and poor performance will preclude you from returning to that organization. This should be obvious, but just in case it’s not; don’t even think about returning.
5. You bad mouthed the organization. Social media has ruined careers and also has prevented people from being rehired as well. Don’t shake everyone’s hand and shed a few tears at your going away party only to get on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and defame the organization. Taking pictures as you leave with vulgar captions will always go viral to some degree. Most likely someone you work with is on your Facebook and will tell someone from your department the horrible things you said about them. If you have done this, don’t embarrass yourself by asking for your job back.

All in all, you made a decision that did not quite work out. In life it’s better to go forward than backward. In Moxie terms, own your decision, grow from your mistakes, and realize most things happen for a reason.