Return to previous employer for lower pay 3

[Swi]

I have been at my new job for about 6 months. My old employer has contacted me is would like for me to come back to work for them. I am making $48,000 at my new job and my previous employer wants to hire me back at $5,600 less. I think that is too much of a pay decrease personally. Right now I have at least a 3 hr. round trip to work (On a good day). I am also bored at times at my new job due to the company being slow. At my previous employer I was very underpaid and very overworked. If I calculate wear and tear on my car as well as the HIGH GAS PRICES we now have it costs around $2,600 a year to get to work and service my car. Also, this is me only driving every other week (I carpool with another person). I think it reasonable to ask for $45,000 from my old employer. What do you guys think of this situation? They would like to talk about pay and possibly a re-hire date later today.

Swi

 

[Stella740pl]

Do you want to go back to your old employer?
Why did you leave in the first place (overworked and underpaid only or other reasons as well)?
What incentives/motivation do you have to return?
Do you like your new job (besides that it's slow)?
Where do you feel happier?
How much more your new job pays in comparison with what your old job used to pay you before?
Is what your old company offering you now a maximum what they can pay you?
Do you have room for professional growth in either of the companies?
What has higher priority for you in a job? Which job can give it to you?

If you answer these questions, you will know for yourself whether you want to return for the money. But in your current situation, it's perfectly OK to lay out all your calculations and ask for more money. The main question is, how long they will keep you knowing that you are probably almost out of their price range and are willing to leave any time you find a better offer.

 

[DrJavaJoe]

I thank you for the offer and I would be very interested in returning to work for you. The only issue that I see as a problem is the salary offer, I am looking for something in the range of $50,000. I believe this is a very reasonable offer because...

... I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Now wait for the counter offer, they called you, right?

"Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'."

 

[Swi]

stella740pl,

Thank you very much for all of the points you have provided. They have shed some light on some things I did not even consider.

DrJavaJoe,

Thank you for the example. I hope you don't mind if I use part of what you typed. I am only 24 and still a bit wet behind the ears.

Swi

 

[DrJavaJoe]

Not a problem.

"Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'."

 

[johnstrang]

Hello Swi,
It seems to me that you are in quite a strong position, for the following reasons:
1 Your old company want you back (it was them who contacted you), so they must have been pleased with your work and perhaps they realise just how useful you were to them when you worked there.
2 You don't have to move because you already have a job, so you can afford to take your time looking for another job.

I would show them you are interested, but don't commit yourself to anything until the points made by stella740pl (ie training, career development etc) have been answered to your satisfaction. And if they don't give a satisfactory offer, you just say "No" and keep looking.

The ball is definitely in your court - good luck!

John

 

[Swi]

johnstrang,

Thank you for you comments. I have emailed them my salary requirement and asked them the above questions. I am waiting for a response.

Swi

 

[strongm]

And what happened?

 

[Swi]

Got an email from the VP today saying that he apologizes that it took him so long to get back to me and that he will have an answer by the end of the week.

Swi

 

[spamly]

Good luck!