Pamela writes:
A colleague my husband used to work with recently returned to head up a company here. At one time the two worked together and were friendly socially. Approximately 12 years ago, my husband was hired away by another company, and this man attempted to persuade him to stay where he was. After some negotiations on both sides, my husband decided to take the new position.
A lot of time has passed and my husband would very much like to make a move back. There would seem to be a need for someone at the company where this man works.
Is there any way that you know of that he could let his intentions be known without threat to his current job if this man should turn him down?
The Career Doctor responds:
Anything is possible, but 12 years is a long time to go without any kind of contact. So, folks, when I tell you why it’s important to keep in contact with people in your network, here’s an example of why — time and time again I hear stories from job-seekers who think they will never run into someone again only to find themselves needing that person’s help in a future employment situation.
In your husband’s case, the key question is how the two men ended the relationship after your husband spurned his overtures and left the company. The good news may be that if there were negative feelings — that after 12 years they may have melted away. It may also help that they are now both with different companies. On the other hand, some people take these things very personally and may still hold a grudge after all these years.
The best way for your husband to test the waters is to either arrange to conveniently “run into” the former colleague at some professional or social function or simply call and ask him out to lunch to “catch up.”
After the initial small-talk passes, your husband could move the talk slowly to the status of the company and whether there was any need for someone like him. If the colleague shuts down on your husband at any time, there is nothing lost — and since he did not ask for a job, there should be minimal concerns about it getting back to his current employer.
Finally, though, are there not other companies and other opportunities your husband could pursue?
