Boomerang Employees: The Power of Staying Connected

The pandemic has accelerated rapid changes in the workplace, including a number of employees changing their pre-COVID occupations in pursuit of other opportunities or retiring. Today, we’re seeing another emerging trend – the rise of the boomerang employee. Whether it’s for personal or professional reasons, a boomerang team member is someone who circles back to their former employer. Perhaps one of the most illustrious examples of boomerang employment is Steve Jobs, who left Apple to return 11 years later.

With the current tight labor market, companies are thinking strategically about how to attract top talent. One approach we are focused on is maintaining relationships with former employees.

Benefits of Hiring a Boomerang Employee

Often, one may initially leave a company for a new opportunity or due to unexpected circumstances such as relocating, starting a family or to care for a loved one. The benefits of hiring boomerangs include, a more efficient and cost-effective onboarding process, higher likelihood of fitting into the company culture, familiarity with job duties and expectations, an established employer relationship, and the addition of fresh skills, viewpoints, and experiences.

Here at Gilbane

While there are multiple ways to attract former employees back to the organization, it all revolves around remaining connected and keeping people informed of opportunities and what is happening within the organization. One of the simplest ways is through maintaining connections via social media – LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter. At Gilbane we have the Gilbane Alumni Connection for former employees, a group on LinkedIn where we not only share articles about what is happening within Gilbane and our industry, but also employment opportunities.

 

How do you stay connected with your former managers, colleagues, or employees?  Do you call, text, email them?  Are you connected to them on “non-work” related social media accounts? Outside of the mentioned tools, it all really comes down to a personal connection. If you enjoyed working with someone in the past, why wouldn’t you want to stay in contact with them whether you work at the same company or not? Maintaining connection could potentially lead to working with this individual again in the future.

Are you interested in exploring a return to Gilbane?  Are you looking to explore a new career?  Do you enjoy working on a team to accomplish incredible goals? If so, you may find an exciting career opportunity  at Gilbane. Our job opportunities are robust, offering the chance to work on some of the most transformational and impactful building projects across the country and around the world. We enjoy welcoming former team members back to our Gilbane family to grow and develop their careers with us.