Feeling Stuck After Job Switch: Should I Return to My Old Employer or Move On?

Hi,

I resigned from my previous employer on Jan 10. They assigned me to work at a client location in Gurgaon, while I am based in Noida, and they were unwilling to consider my application for relocation to the parent firm. I began looking for other opportunities and secured a job with a company that offered work in the latest technologies. Subsequently, after my resignation was accepted by the old firm, I returned to my parent office and was presented with the opportunity to join new projects there. However, the offers at that time did not match what the new firm was providing, so I decided to quit and joined the new place on Mar 1, 2010.

Upon joining the new firm, I discovered that I had not been assigned to the project that was discussed during the interview. When I raised this concern with the Head of Department (HOD), he indicated that I was considered incompetent for the larger projects and was therefore relegated to working on a smaller project only.

The primary motivation for changing jobs was to seek better work and a more favorable work environment, both of which I have not found at the new place. My previous employer had offered me work on similar projects, which I declined. Consequently, I have not reaped any benefits from this change. Moreover, my previous employer held a stronger brand name and was a more established organization. I am now regretting my decision to switch jobs and am unsure of what to do next.

I spent 1.7 years at my old workplace. The new workplace marks my fifth job change within a career span of 4.8 years.

Should I consider returning to my previous office or should I explore other job opportunities?

Hi Neha,

Nothing is wrong with getting back to your old employer. "A known devil is better than an unknown angel." I guess what should have hurt you was being told you were incompetent for bigger projects. Welcome to the real world where the grass always appears greener on the other side.

Also, having 5 jobs in 4.8 years reflects poorly. It should have been one of the considerations for the new employer not to assign it to you (though they will not say it, because what happens if you leave a big assignment midway). Alternatively, you can work in this new company, prove your mettle, and move on to bigger assignments.

As they say, "The quiz master's decision is final." You are the quiz master here. The call and challenge are yours to take. However, I suggest you check with your former employers if the post is still available and then quit and return; otherwise, work in this new company.

Hi, I had resigned from my previous employer in Jan 10. They had sent me to work on a client location (that was in Gurgaon, and I am based in Noida) and would not consider my application for relocation to the parent firm. I started to look out for other options and found a job with a firm that was offering me work in the latest technologies. Meanwhile, after my resignation was accepted by the old firm, I came back to my parent office and was given the offer of joining new projects in the same office. But at that time, these offers did not match up with the ones that the new firm was offering. So I quit and joined the new place on 1 Mar 10.

Upon joining the new firm, I found out that I had not been allocated to the project that I was told about in the interview. I spoke with the HOD about this, and he said that I was incompetent to be part of those big projects, so I was to work on this small project only. The whole idea of changing the job was for better work and a better work environment. I am getting neither of these at the new place. My previous employer was offering me work on the same kind of project, and I didn't accept it. I have not derived any benefit from my change. My previous employer was a bigger and better brand name and a more mature organization. I am now regretting my decision to change and don't know what to do.

I have spent 1.7 years in the old workplace. The new workplace is my 5th change in a career span of 4.8 years. Should I just rejoin the previous office, or should I look for another job?

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