Is it possible to come back after being laid off?

I got laid off last month after 2 years working at my dream company - getting a job at that bank was always my dream and after a lot of work, networking, and preparation I managed to land a job there in one of their top groups, rejecting offers from other banks that paid me slightly better.

Working at that bank was one of the things I am most proud of, and becoming a partner at the firm was my main goal in life (professionally speaking). That is why being cut was so hard for me, I thought my life was falling apart as my dream career was fading away.

I am currently working on getting back on my feet and finding a similar job somewhere else (difficult given the current market) but I am confident that sooner or later I will land an offer. However, I still have in mind pursuing my dream and lateraling in the future to my former employer.

Do you know of any case in which an employee managed to return to his company after getting cut in the past? Or are laid off employees black listed from coming back?

Just for context, when I was let go they told me that it was a tough decision and was not related to performance, actually 2 MDs promised me to give me references whenever needed.

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I don't see why it wouldn't be possible, but I can't for the life of me understand why you would want to.

Assuming all of this is true, do you really want to work for a group that is so poorly managed that they couldn't find a way to keep an analyst that they liked, was performing decently enough and that wanted to be there long term?

It's not like there is any bank that is head and shoulders above its competition. I just can't fathom how you're not more pissed at the way you were treated. 

 

Perfectly expressed what I was going to comment.

They are a company and you working there was a business deal.

If we assume it was more than just a job, then why would you want to go back to an ex that broke up with you?

Move on and show them what they lost.

 
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My first degree is psychology, I was going to attempt my masters and then pursue a career in law. However, after realizing the lack of subjects in areas I wanted to research for my masters (given the city I live in), I decided to pursue a second degree in finance. However, I think a career in finance will help further my research in psychology.

 

On the opposite end, I'm so vindictive that I will never, ever work for the bank that dinged me on a lateral process 6 months back. Well of course they didn't want me now, but even if they start snooping at my profile 6 years from now, I'll tell them to go to hell. Had a bad experience with their recruiters giving me the run-around. 

 

I wouldn’t worry about rejoining the bank but you can definitely find another gig. It will be different but likely better in some ways. You really aren't in too bad of a position to recruit laterally even if the market lacks urgency at the moment. Take a few months off and assess where you could be happy working. You don't have to be at any one bank to be successful. Best of luck man

 

This is sad to say - the most pathetic post I've ever seen on this forum.

Imagine even considering Goldman after what they've done to people this year.

I long for the day that people take a stand against shitty employers and aren't undermined by losers like this recruiting for them.

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My girlfriend broke up with me. If I get on my knees, cry and beg do you think she'll take me back? 

I actually heard once of someone who tried that. It was most unsuccessful.

 

Could you? Yes. Should you? No

From the banks perspective, if they screwed you once and you went back like nothing happened, I can guarantee you they’ll do it again as they know you would return. They have literally 0 to lose by laying you off.

All I will say is that if you had to describe your dream company, I doubt you would use “fires me for non-performance reasons”. 
 

In the nicest way possible, have some self respect. Can’t respect someone who doesn’t value him/herself.

 

You’re focusing on the wrong things here. Whether or not they might take you back has no bearing on your next steps. You want to land another job in the industry and work on achieving as much success as possible. Down the line you can then re-evaluate whether you want to attempt to rejoin your old employer. I suspect you will be a lot more mature and knowledgeable at that point and hopefully your priorities will change. So — this is a hypothetical problem for “future you” — you definitely shouldn’t be worrying about it now.

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Don’t listen to all of these short sighted, soft clowns. If this is truly your dream company and dream job, then keep chasing it and don’t give up. It sounds like your bosses liked you and didn’t want to let you go, but business conditions have been poor and the matter was probably above their pay grade. It sucks but business is business — don’t take it personally because it wasn’t personal.

Getting hired back is definitely possible, although you’ll probably need to wait until market conditions improve. I would recommend staying in touch with your bosses on a semi consistent basis (you’re not being annoying unless they tell you you’re being annoying). I would tell them how you honestly feel — that this this was your dream job, you loved the work, you saw yourself there for the long term, and that you want to come back at the first opportunity. Ask them what they would recommend you do. A good intermediate step might be to go get your MBA or another graduate degree, but whatever they tell you will be the best approach.

In the meantime, take some time to reflect on why this was your dream job/company. If it’s because you loved the work and it was a great personal fit, then super. If it’s because you liked the “prestige” or simply the pay check, then looking elsewhere might make sense because there are plenty of shops that check those boxes.

Don’t be too down. Life isn’t over and no matter how well planned you think you have things, life is guaranteed to surprise you — sometimes to the positive, sometimes not — so be resilient, keep your chin up, and don’t give up when someone tells you no or life puts up a roadblock. You’ve got this.

And to answer your question: yes, I have a buddy who was laid off from GS due to a recession (not saying that’s where you were), went and got his MBA, and then was hired back to the same group 2yrs later, where he stayed and eventually made partner, before discovering that there are greener pastures elsewhere (so he eventually left) — but it’s 100% doable anywhere. You only get blacklisted if you’re terrible at your job or you do something unethical/criminal. Good luck!

 

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