You work for a company, in upper management, for over five years. Do a good job, have great reviews, etc. One day, out of the blue, you are fired. No real reason is given other than "We want to take the company in a new direction." There is no you did this or you did that, so we are letting you go, just we are moving in a different direction, please clean out your desk and be on your way.

Four years later, out of the blue again, the owner of the company calls and asked to set up an appointment to discuss "new" opportunities in the company. They are once again moving in a new direction, and think you may be a part of that move.

Question is, what do you do.

Now, this is no ordinary job. It is a position as high in the company as you can go without owning the place. The chain of command is President, Vice President, You. Extreme amount of responsibility, and the money is terrific.

What say y'all?

If you don't take it, will you give them my name?

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

AIG needs another scapegoat to fire? 🙂

Go to the interview, act interested, show enthusiasm. When/if an offer is made go OFF on him/her. Ask WTF they were thinking when they let you go. Tell them the hardship they created. Tell them you wouldn't come back if the job paid a million dollars. Really lay into them, and be sure to drop a few F-bombs. When you're done flash the Wu-Tang sign and declare "I'M JUST KEEP'N IT REAL!"

WWOD?

(What would Obama do?)

I say, make sure you bow.

And then appologize.

And bow again.

What is the new direction and how do you see me fitting in with that plan?

What, specifically, are you looking for me to contribute?

What was the direction X years ago? (when you were working there)

What was the direction X years ago? (when you got fired)

.

Truthfully, though, you have to consider your current situation.

You must have left without burning bridges the first time.

They recognize your talents and want you back.

You're in the drivers seat, to a degree.

Talk to them about pay, benefits, and based on historical perspective I would work in a severance package that would make it so they didn't want to repeat the past.

Good luck.

...but if you really are considering the job I suggest you

1. examine your current situation...what your future looks like with your current company, advancement opportunities, security/stability, benefits, where you see yourself in 5, 10, plus years, short/long term goals.

2. Compare #1's answers with prospective employer opportunities. Find out more about the job and see how it fits into your own short/long term goals. Did they let you go before because maybe you were making too much money? Will they do that again? What happened to your old position/department? Will you be talking to the same people that let you go? Don't dwell on the past. As a matter of fact, I probably wouldn't even bring the past termination up except in passing if someone else mentions it. If you are interested in the position, show that you are willing to start a new beginning. It may have been hard on the person(s) (i.e. higher ups) that had to let you go in the first place.

3. Pray about it.

So I would probably do it in this order

3, 1, 3, 2, 3 🙂

^yeah. Definitely look into it, but put something into the contract to prevent them from firing you, or for making your life easier if they do (with the severance).

Better really check out the company, if they are desperate enough to hire you back, admit failure, if you will, they may have really gone in the wrong direction, and may be in some real trouble. If I fire someone, it's a very good chance I will never court their services again.

Just write a golden parachute clause into your contract. Better yet, signing bonus of $5mm in GOLD paid upfront.

^

Different industries may not work the same way. If you are in the drywall/construction business you probably would fire someone that is undependable and/or does poor work. In that case, you may not give them a second chance. However, as time goes by you may change your feelings. We've rehired individuals, but in most cases those individuals quit and realized that maybe they didn't make the right move. There's nothing wrong with second chances if the the situation warrants it.

13 for 11 (but don't want it to be a threadjacker)

demand substantial compensation--most businesses are willing to pay for the 'right' person, particularly at very high levels of responsibility. Think in terms of stock options, bonus(s), vehicle (w/driver), etc. And don't be afraid to ask for a very handsome severance package based on past experience--they will understand. Oh, and get it in writing, i.e. 'employment contract'.

and cigars for all your friends...

The latter of the two is way better than the former.

If you have a strong personality, work ethic, prior mgt skills,a people person..I say go for it.

If you like to work alone and don't like the B.S. that comes with that type of position ..bag it and ask for a raise.

Get a contract in writing for the compensation amount.

GOOD LUCK duwan!!

After I submitted my resignation at my last job they made a counter offer that was difficult to turn down. My dad's advice to me was to forget the counter offer and move on because I had already shown my employer I was no longer 100% committed to them and when things turned bad they would remember that.

In your case its the opposite. They have already shown they are not 100% committed to you. I tend to take tailgator's approach on it.

If the money/perks etc are too good to pass up then I would go back if/and only if there were gaurentees in the form of severance agreement or better yet some sort of up front escrow like payment they make that falls in my lap id they do the deed again.

I would be very wary. Anything short of that and I would say thanks but no thanks.

Ask for a lot of money. If the company is big, ask for termination package.

I would also highly question the judgement and business making decisions of anyone that would want to hire or rehire you 😉