Is it difficult/impossible to leave a company and then return a few years later?

[merkur]

..

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

It happens constantly, among people with good reputations.

 

[Tibo]

Just did it, after an MBA and a spell in management consulting (how original isn't it?). I actually believe this was instrumental in my fast rise within the company. Key was to keep good relationships when I left and to always make clear that coming back could be an option provided certain conditions were met.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by archetypal_yuppie

It happens constantly, among people with good reputations.

This. Just be sure not to burn bridges when you leave, and treat your soon to be ex-employer well, offer to stay longer than the requisite "two weeks" to assist in the transition, and go out of your way to make that transition as smooth as possible for them. If you've got a good reputation and are building your "human capital" in the new job, the chances of you returning when you like are reasonably good. I run into the now CEO of the Fortune 500 where I used to work at least once or twice a year and he usually always asks me when I want to return to _____. It's not outside the realm of possibility at all.

 

[Eason]

Talk to them and ask them for a leave of ____ and why you need it. If they're happy they hired you it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[scientific]

wondering what the situation is where you would want to leave yet know you want to come back later?

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by scientific

wondering what the situation is where you would want to leave yet know you want to come back later?

Pregnant?

 

[Eason]

Grad school, travel, etc...

 

[dtmt]

It probably depends somewhat on the company/industry, but I know many people in tech who have done this. Do you currently work for Apple or Microsoft?

 

[merkur]

..

 

[scientific]

in finance it's def standard

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

finance = musical chairs.

 

[ThatGuy]

Quickest way to move up in a bank is to leave and come back with a higher position and fatter paycheck

 

[Matt]

I went with Yes not because I think it is actually hard to do, I just wonder if it would be hard to get yourself motivated, or if you would be feeling like 'I left for greener pastures, and now I'm back in these same ol' pastures' and find that personally demotivating.

 

[Jsoftz]

I don't think it's hard at all, so long as you leave in a reasonable and respectful way. I'm in technology (a large software company, so Microsoft and Apple are not bad analogues for me) and it is definitely musical chairs. Some guy starts at EMC, goes to NetApp for more money, goes back to EMC as a manager etc etc. I knew a guy who started as an inside sales rep at my (large software) company, he got promoted to a field sales position and they shafted him on the raise. He then went to a large storage manufacturer and has since come back in a specialist sales role for much more money than he would have been able to get if he stayed.

So as long as you treat your company well and don't burn any bridges, maybe keep a few relationships going over time, I think it should be easy. In some industries it is standard practice.