In 2021, a record-shattering 47.4 million people quit their jobs during the pandemic and Great Resignation. And according to a ResumeBuilder.com poll of 1,250 American workers, about 23% of employees will look for new jobs this year.
This is the hottest job market we've ever seen. But not everyone is leaving their role for greener pastures.
As CEO of Korn Ferry, the world's largest organizational consulting firm I've spent more than a decade counseling people at every stage of their job search journey. And these past couple of months, I've been seeing a common theme: People who wish they hadn't quit their jobs so abruptly.
This question I recently received from a mentee sums it up nicely: "I left my job for a higher-paying position at another company. Now I'm miserable and regret it. Do I ask for my old job back?"
What to do when you regret quitting your job
Although it may not feel like it, experiencing regret is a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and what you want from your career.
While there's nothing wrong with a boomerang move back to your old employer, its important to remember that whatever reasons or behaviors that made you leave might not change. It could be that you want to go back because that's the most familiar path.
Here are five key questions to consider before asking for your old job back:
1. Did you burn any bridges when you left?
Think critically about how you behaved in your last days at the company. Why did you say you were leaving? How did people respond?
If you vented your frustrations and acted negatively>What to do if going back to your old job isn't an option
It used to be that people approached their career paths as ladders, moving slowly and steadily upwards with their eyes on where they want to be in 10 years.
Today, however, career paths that are more like winding labyrinths with the job seeker's focus often just two to three years out. This allows for more exploratory lateral moves and career shifts.
With that in mind, make a list of companies that you'd love to work for at this stage of your professional life. What roles would best suit you? What kind of boss do you want to work for? Then, think about who in your network can make an introduction.
When you get to the interviewing stages, really focus on telling your story. Be authentic and make a connection. With so many trends and changes happening at once in the job market, employers won't be surprised that you took a leap for a new opportunity — only to find out that it wasn't for you.
