DataCorrupter

Account Executive

Valued Contributor

How much to go back to your former company?

Most esteemed Savages,

I've heard that I may be asked to come back to a company that dumped me three months ago. Might happen, might not, but it gets me very curious.

The people are awesome, the product is awesome, the PMF is good but not great, the sales/revenue growth are slow and long (where isn't it right now?), I have a very good reputation there. I'd be welcomed back by most everyone (who is still left after RIFs). I'm curious if you had a similar situation, what would you/what did you ask for in order to go back?

I feel the ROI is stronger on bringing someone back than taking a chance on a new face that might not work out.

How much is enough to go back when they dumped you?

Attached poll

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

💰 Compensation

19

37 comments

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antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

11

Bravado's Resident Asshole

I went back to my old company about a month ago. I had strong expectations out in place when it came to returning. (a little different to your situation as I am the one who quit there and they called me back)

I asked for a 25K raise in base from when I was there before. a $3k sign-on bonus and then a higher percentage in my commission rates, they pulled through on all things and I came back.

Just stand strong on your demands.

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

3

Director of Revenue

I think the difference here is that OP was laid off. Your company probably already recognized your value, hence them being willing to pony up in order get you back.
I can't see it going well returning to company that gave you the boot.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

2

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

Good stuff. But genuinely curious question - why did they let you / the OP go in the first place? Why call them back after just a quarter.
What shitty org planning is this? Who's the CEO - fire him.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

2

Account Executive

Complex answer needing important details, but TLDR is, was part of a larger RIF overall, 30% taken from every department, multiple rounds of RIFs followed closely after. Now they've got no AEs in half the US, hence the "why go back."

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

You done did good

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

3

Bravado's Resident Asshole

and they bought me a car. forgot to mention that.

jefe

Arsonist

2

🍁

🤯

What kind?!

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

2

Bravado's Resident Asshole

a Chevy Cruze. nothing crazy but it's something.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

For sure. Gets you there and back.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

HOW DO YOU FORGET A CAR?!?

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

2

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Lmao, it just slipped my mind when writing the comment.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

3

Account Executive

*Sent from my Chevy Cruze*

Sunbunny31

Politicker

0

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

🙄

Gasty

Notable Contributor

1

War Room Community Manager

You demanded a car to come back? I'm sooo proud of you!

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

2

Bravado's Resident Asshole

I just got lucky with them going with my crazy demands haha

HVACexpert

Politicker

7

sales engineer

It would take a lot to go back

jefe

Arsonist

5

🍁

THIS
And perhaps what @antiASKHOLE got.

But preferably this.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

YAAASSSSS QUEEN

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

6

Director of Revenue

Personally, I wouldn't go back. If you do ask for more money, you're going to be the first on the chopping block when layoffs come around again, because you're the most expensive sales employee.
Besides that, they already consciously made the decision to show you the door, which gives you a good indication of how critical you are to the business. I wouldn't want to work at a company that didn't think I was valuable in the first place.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Companies make mistakes; it happens. And nothing shows them that they made a mistake more than how much they miss you when you're gone.
Not sure if punishing them for asking for you back is the right approach, but you definitely have leverage to improve your position. I'd drop the back pay as a consideration immediately. I'm curious as to why you aren't including a base salary pay bump in your poll.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

👀🍿

Also, I typically don't look back.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

2

Account Executive

That’s a good question, I hadn’t considered salary bump yet, but definitely a good idea (edit: added to poll). Genuinely curious, why drop the back pay consideration?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

In short, what's back pay got to do with anything? You got let go, you are not an employee at the moment, and so aren't owed anything at all. It's looking back and seems to be rubbing in their face that they let you go, which, if they're actually considering bringing you back, they know they made a mistake. Look at moving forward.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I didn't consider that, but yeah, totally get it now.

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

Formally extolling the greatness of the bunnytruths.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Oh yeah, no worries. If/when they do reach out, ask for positive things to bring you back. They'll be wanting you, so that comes with some uplift. See antiASKHOLE's comment - that's the path.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

aw, shucks.

braintank

Politicker

3

Enterprise Account Executive

Why wouldn't they just dump you again?

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

2

Sales Rep

Boomerangs are a term for a reason. For instances where I was a part of a RIF, I would need a 10% raise minimum. But if you really liked the people and they can make it clear what happened with the RIF and how it would be avoided, I can consider

Beans

Big Shot

2

Enterprise Account Executive

50% raise and equity.

SaaSsy

Politicker

1

AE

My real answer is $1 bajillion dollars but I’ve never liked a company as much as you seem to after exiting. No right answer here, what do YOU need to feel good about returning?

FoodForSales

Politicker

0

AE

25% because you're bringing back more experience.

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

30% increase is my number

JustGonnaSendIt

Politicker

0

Burn Towns, Get Money

25% + OTE raise

ApocalyBoom

Politicker

0

Account Executive

Companies make mistakes; it happens. How much they will miss you when you are gone and nothing will tell them they made a mistake.

0

Enterprise Account Executive

A LOT more than any of the options you provided. 25% more in OTE and maybe I take the meeting knowing I need to be closer to 35% or more, but also I need to lay some ground rules. Either that or I'm building my own team for a ripe market as a leader.

TheLaughingWolf

WR Officer

0

Business Development Manager

Not a chance in hell would I go back to my previous company.

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