8 Tips For Getting Rehired By A Former Employer

Ever felt like you made a wrong decision after leaving a job? We’ve all had those moments where we thought that our previous jobs were better than our current ones. Do you wish to get rehired? Are you wondering that there’s no way because you burnt all bridges? Well, that’s not completely true — and returning to a former employer is more common than most people realize.

Many companies actively welcome back former employees, sometimes called “boomerang hires,” precisely because the rehiring process is lower risk. They already know your work ethic, your cultural fit, and your professional reputation. What they need to be convinced of is that you have grown since leaving, that you bring new value, and that you are serious about the opportunity.

Key Takeaways

• Former employers already know your work quality and cultural fit, which makes you a lower-risk hire than an unknown candidate — use this advantage
• Re-establishing genuine relationships before asking for help is the most effective networking approach
• Your résumé should lead with what you have done since leaving, not just what you did when you were there
• Be ready to answer honestly why you left and why you want to return — interviewers will ask both questions
• Staying current with the company’s developments between your departure and your application makes your approach far more informed and compelling

Lisa Quast outlines 8 tips for getting rehired by a former employer in an article for Forbes:

The 8 Tips

1. Find job opportunities of interest. On your previous employer’s website, search for open positions that are relevant to your current skills and download those job descriptions. Read each description carefully, highlighting the key requirements. This step is not just about identifying openings — it is about identifying the positions where you can make a strong, specific case for your fit.

2. Update and customize your résumé. Tailor your résumé to those specific positions in a way that showcases your skills, education, and accomplishments most relevant to the job requirements. Do not lean on the fact that they already know you. Former employers know who you were when you left — your résumé needs to show them who you are now, and why you are an even stronger candidate.

3. Define your network. Make a list of everyone you worked with or knew at your previous company. LinkedIn is the most efficient way to do this — search the company name, filter by people you are connected to, and you will quickly see your former colleagues and their current roles within the organization. Knowing who is still there, who has moved up, and who is now in a position to influence hiring decisions is essential context before you begin reaching out.

4. Re-establish relationships. Using whatever means you are comfortable with — LinkedIn, telephone, email, or in-person coffee — connect with key people to re-establish relationships. Focus on making genuine contact first, before asking for anything. The most valuable contacts are former colleagues who saw your work firsthand and can speak to your performance credibly. Also use these conversations to find out what has changed since you left — new priorities, new leadership, new challenges in the team.

5. Spread the word. Let your network know you are interested in returning. Offer to email them your updated résumé and ask whether they would be willing to submit it to hiring managers for positions that fit your background. This is also an appropriate moment to ask for references or LinkedIn recommendations — a fresh recommendation from a former colleague who has also seen your work since leaving is particularly compelling.

6. Connect with HR. If you worked with or knew anyone in HR — particularly in the recruiting or talent acquisition function — contact them directly to express your interest in specific open positions. Recruiters who remember you positively are a significant advantage in a competitive hiring process.

7. Stay current. Regularly review the company’s website for new job postings. Set up a job alert on LinkedIn or Indeed for the company name so you are notified immediately when relevant positions open. Following the company’s LinkedIn page and reading their announcements keeps you informed about their direction, which makes your application and interview more relevant and informed.

8. Prepare answers. If you left voluntarily (not as part of a layoff or restructuring), have a thoughtful, honest answer ready for why you left, where you went, what you learned, and why you want to come back. Be able to articulate the specific value you bring back to the company. Interviewers will probe both questions carefully — former employees who return for the wrong reasons tend to leave again quickly, and hiring managers know this.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Get Rehired

• Reaching out only to ask for help, without investing in re-establishing genuine relationships first
• Assuming the former employer will remember all of your best work — your résumé and your conversations need to remind them clearly
• Being vague about why you want to return — “I realized I was happier there” is weaker than “I have spent two years developing X skill, and I see you are now expanding into [area] where I can contribute directly”
• Failing to acknowledge if your departure created difficulty for the team — a brief, genuine acknowledgment of that can go a long way in re-establishing trust

For broader job search strategy — beyond re-applications to former employers — see: The Complete Job Search Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to try to get rehired by a former employer? It can be an excellent move if you left on good terms, gained valuable experience elsewhere, and there is a genuine fit between your current skills and an open role. Former employers already know your work style and culture fit, which reduces their hiring risk — making you a more compelling candidate than an unknown applicant.

How do I reconnect with former colleagues when trying to get rehired? Start with LinkedIn — connect with or message former colleagues with a brief, genuine note that references a shared project or memory. Follow up with a phone call or coffee meeting for those you were close to. Focus on re-establishing the relationship authentically before asking them to advocate for you internally.

What should I say when a former employer asks why I left and why I want to come back? Be honest and forward-looking. Explain briefly what you pursued after leaving and what you learned, then focus on the specific value you would bring back. Avoid framing the return as an admission of mistake — instead, present it as a deliberate choice based on your growth and the current opportunity.

Should I apply through the normal job posting process when trying to get rehired? Using both your internal network and the formal application process gives you the best chance. Your network connections can give the hiring manager a heads-up and submit your résumé directly, while applying through the formal channel ensures your application is on record. Doing both is not redundant — it is thorough.

How should I update my résumé when applying to a former employer? Tailor your résumé specifically to the open position, highlighting the experience and skills you gained since leaving. Former employers already know your previous work with them — the résumé’s most important job is to demonstrate what you have done since, and why that makes you even more qualified now than when you left.