Sarah Jersild
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This appeared in HiTech Careers, BrassRing's print job-hunting publication in Canada.

Advice for job seeking and job keeping
by Sarah Jersild

Q: Two years ago I jumped ship to join a dot-com. Unfortunately, the company has not done well and I'm looking to make a move. I'd really like to rejoin my former employer - provided they'd take me back. How do I approach them without looking like I'm grovelling?

A: First, consider this: When you left, did you tell your manager and co-workers that you appreciated working with them, but were looking for a new opportunity to gain some skills and experience? Or did you do the Watusi on the CEO's desk, saying that you'd be back to buy the company with your dot-com millions? If it's the former, and you left on good terms, the process of getting your job back should be relatively painless. If it's the latter - well, let's just say grovelling will be the least of it.

"Everything hinges on the context in which you left," said Cindy Harris, vice-president at Gaffney Consulting, which helps companies and individuals manage career transitions. If it ended well, you shouldn't have a problem. If, on the other hand, it ended badly, "you're going to have to eat a little crow."

However you left your old company, Harris said, try this strategy when trying to come back: set up a meeting with the person who would most likely hire you, and be ready for the big question. "In a lot of ways, [the situation] is similar to 'Why did you leave your last employer?' Have an answer for that, and rehearse it."

You may have to "emphasize your new-found loyalty to the company," Harris said. Head off questions about your staying power by offering to sign an agreement that you won't jump ship again for a certain amount of time, for example - especially if you took the gloating exit path. Difficult as it may be, you might also have to admit that you were wrong. "Be prepared to say 'I tried [the dot-com path], and you were right,'" Harris said.

Finally, keep in mind that you do bring a unique set of selling points to the table. You know how your old company works, you're familiar with the company culture, and it would take you less time to fit in than someone completely new. Also, "a lot depends on how badly [your old company] needs staff," Harris said. You might be lucky enough to catch your old firm when they're desperate for employees. In that case, you can bet that the gloating will be kept to a minimum.

Q: Is it appropriate to ask my current manager for a reference when I'm looking for a new job?

A: In general, no. According to Eleanore McNaughton, McGill University Engineering Career Centre coordinator, you shouldn't expect a reference from your current boss except under unusual circumstances - i.e., if you have a "personal-type" relationship with your manager and you've already discussed that you are unhappy and looking for another job. So if you're neither being fired nor leaving your job willingly - you and your spouse are moving to another city, for example, and your boss knows and understands that - you might be able to swing a reference. Otherwise, stick with references from previous managers.

Need some career advice? Send a quick e-mail to sjersild@BrassRing.com, attention: htc Career Coach.