5 things to remember when rehiring a former employee

Picture the scene... you're sifting through those CVs, and a name pops out - it's someone who's worked for your company before. What's more, they did a pretty good job last time. They're probably a safe bet then, right? There won't be too much training to do, and they already know your business, possibly inside out.

Mind you, there can be some pitfalls when rehiring a familiar face. The leading recruitment consultant in Exeter, Webrecruit, gives you some valuable tips for making the rehiring process as thorough and professional as possible.

1. Don't accept just any former staffer

Sure, you can save on training and even advertising costs when you rehire a past employee of yours. But are you rehiring for the right reasons? Would you still recruit them if they were a brand new candidate, or are you being guided by mere convenience?

2. Research the candidate thoroughly

Don't skimp on the essential research into the candidate, just because you know them. For one thing, they might have changed a lot since they last worked for you, so check those references. But also look back at how they performed when they were with you - even ask their former managers if they're still at your firm.

3. Ask the right interview questions

The fact that you're considering rehiring someone shouldn't mean that you treat them lightly at interview. In particular, ask them why they left your firm in the first place, why they want to come back and what would make them leave again. You don't want them to depart again as soon as they get a better offer, so scrutinise their motivations for returning.

4. Explain how the business has changed

Yes, companies do change between a returning employee's spells there, and before you rehire them, they should be told about those changes. They shouldn't be left with the impression that they are returning to the exact same business, or necessarily even the same job, as its responsibilities and workload may have also changed.

5. Keeping checking how they are doing

You'll want your ex-employee to make a smooth transition into working for you again, but bear in mind that they may hesitate to ask for help compared to a brand new employee, due to fears of sounding like they don't know what they're doing. That's why it's so important to keep checking on your staffer and let them know that you're available if they need any assistance.

Whether you're hiring someone for the first, second or third time, with Webrecruit as your recruitment consultant in Exeter, you can ensure that you're making the right choice.

Editor’s Note: Webrecruit (http://www.webrecruit.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.