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The Pros and Cons of Boomerang Employees

During any organization’s hiring process, the question about whether to hire a “boomerang employee” may arise. Candidates who are former employees needn’t be automatically disqualified from your open position. Depending on the nature of your company’s staffing need and their skill set, one of these IT professionals just might make the perfect choice.

Let’s analyze the pros and cons of hiring a boomerang employee. Perhaps their second stint takes your firm to a new level – just look at LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Leverage these insights to ensure the right decision gets made no matter the situation.

Focus on the Added Value of the Former Employee

The calculus involved when deciding to bring a former employee back into the fold is simple. Do they add value to your company? If their skill set and experience matches that of other candidates, the fact they already understand your company culture works in the boomerang’s favor.

Another point worth considering involves the skills and experience gained after they left your company. Perhaps they worked with a new technology or methodology your team is eager to learn? If their fresh insights improve the quality of the organization, a rehire is in order.

A Cheaper Onboarding Process

Research indicates that onboarding a boomerang employee is 60 percent cheaper than hiring someone new to your organization. Don’t be surprised by the fact it’s also easier to retain a rehire when compared to a new employee. These are definitely points worth considering when making a hiring decision.

Consider the Reasons They Left in the First Place

If they had a personality conflict with a former manager or co-worker, those issues may crop up again if their former nemesis is still with your organization. Any personal issues like these could mitigate the advantages of fresh skills and a more inexpensive onboarding process.

You also need to consider how long it’s been since the boomerang employee left the company. Does anyone in the office truly remember working with them? Perform the right amount of due diligence with references from their most recent employers to get the best reading on their current skills and work ethic.

If you need additional advice on building a great team at your company, talk with the experts at Synerfac. As one of the top technology staffing agencies in the Northeast, we provide the candidates to help your success. Schedule a meeting with us soon!

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