Whether or not you will be rehired will often depend on your subsequent employers as employers don't want business secrets issues. As others have mentioned companies and managers have attitudes about rehires but as one of my former employers once said, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know." If you see a job that interests you reach out to your former colleagues to check if there have been significant changes in the department that is hiring. Managers change.

I've gone back and it was a great decision. I'm going on 3 years now. My first stint started great but fizzled out because my director was horrible. After almost 3 years she refused to promote me or give me a raise even though both were available. Unfortunately, she was the kind of person who wanted followers on her team, not leaders. I brought ideas to the table and she did not take kindly to that. There was no point in staying since I knew I was in a great position to do better elsewhere. I left for a 14k raise somewhere else. When my old manager contacted me to tell me of an opening, the only reason I even considered it was because the previous director retired. I did my due diligence and all seemed well so I negotiated a salary 12k over what they were offering and I've been there ever since (with an 8k raise last year). No regrets.

I was one of the first hired handful of employees at a small company. After a few years I left due to stability concerns along with some other (albeit now minor) issues. I was the second person to ever leave the company. After a few months I realized I made a mistake leaving as my new job/company turned completely on its head and it wasn't something I saw myself doing in the future, along with having the worst manager in my 20 year career of employment. I had found out that when I left my old company they were in a transition period and had now come out of it with those issues resolved plus it would be good for my career goals. I left on good terms and had kept in touch with my old manager. She was fine with me coming back but their management team nixed it basically saying I had left once and could leave again. Oh well, nothing I could do. Then I found out a couple months later they re-hired the first person that had left the company before me. That stung a bit but then I learned they left again after four months. I don't know what happened there but I bet the company will probably never re-hire a former employee again.

Conditions and people change. As an employee knowing many company positions are open to internal promotion and transfer requests I'd be ticked and insulted as well. I've worked for several companies where the only thing they cared about for many management job was a college degree-they're were some smart people but the lack of experience with people and the job itself costs more them more. It's one thing if none of the employees wanted it then a company should go outside.

I left my company in the spring of 2001 for a promotion at a super luxury hotel as the Director of Sales and Marketing and because the hour plus commute each way was killing my quality of life. In 2002 my immediate supervisor from my old property, who is one of my best friends, called me to ask me if I wanted her job because she was turning in her two week resignation for a promotion to a bigger property. I jumped at the chance to go back. It wasn't a good move. I had a completely new staff who was resentful that I had come in and taken a position that wasn't offered to any of them (the GM was thrilled to have me back). They started a campaign to get me fired and made my life so miserable, I left within 18 months. Sometimes you just can't go home.

People do it at my huge company. Someone did it on my "wider" team earlier this year. He left about a year before for higher pay and to work in the city rather than the kampungs. I guess he got over it quickly, don't really know the reason, but we hired him back a year later to our team at a higher position (without interviewing him), because we already knew him and his work product. He jumped right in.

I've done this. I worked for a company for 2 1/2 years, and left on very good terms. Eighteen months later they called to say they had a position for me if I wanted it. I accepted and stayed for 5 years. It was a very positive experience. Would have stayed longer but opted to reduce my commute by half (from 2 hours each way to 1 hour each way) once I had a kid.

I have done it with my current company.. twice in fact. Its kinda a running joke that I've had two going away lunches. Each time, they asked me to come back.... to a different position. I've been in 3 different organizations and worked both as full-time and part-time contract (working two jobs). Each time, I got a substantial increase in pay. Unfortunately, the pay increases are typically small so I had that in mind when I was negotiating the last time.... Easier since I was already under contract with them and full time with another employer. I really think it depends on the company and their culture. This company is relatively small... Total years with the company is around 15+ years. I wasn't the only one at this company that I've heard of. Some left to try a stint at their own business or work in stock market... then came back. Things are a bit tighter financially these days, so to pull off what I did might be more of a challenge... they are much more selective now.

One thing to keep in mind that people and management have changed since you left it might be a different culture/atmosphere. Same company different people can equal a different result. I think most companies live in the now. If they think you can handle some current issues/problems you might an expedited shoe in. If they are looking just to fill a vacancy you might have to jump through more hoops than a new applicant. This is why current management is so important or timing if you will. Also many big companies wind up with a class if you will. Those hired around the sametime having gone through the same training and worked for or with the same people wind up forming a bond or attitude in some cases but once that class is broken up the remaining alumni might not be able to get you back in.

A job is just a job, it is more about taking care of your employees. People leave and come back frequently between the tech and financial giants. I've been asked frequently in the past to rejoin a company and they prefer former workers who knows the ins and outs to rejoin and offer newer titles and benefits.

It's not unusual for people to "boomerang" in my line of work--especially if an employee has a unique skill set, is dependable, and parted ways with their former employer on good terms.

It's not my habit to return to a former employer, but I have done it in the past. The circumstances were rather unique, so it made good sense at the time.

You can always go back to a former employer. Sometimes you have to start from scratch ie fill out the application go through the entire process like a first time applicant but it's done. Also must restart at the entry level in many companies. One can get back to their old job and progress fairly quickly but must be patient. I will say coming back directly into a management or different higher paying job might be a little harder. You could eventually get it but many companies are fickle about how and when they hire management. Also depends on the financial condition of the company. I've seen many wait too long for a specific job, company and location and they wind up coping an attitude as time drags on. Be careful about your sources too because I've seen people hang their hopes on a source saying they need people in a certain location,position etc but it winds up being an opinion-they aren't the hiring manager or have knowledge of the budgets or financial condition of the company.

I've been to multiple large firms that have frequent employees returning. I've been asked in the past to return to a former employer they preferred seasoned former employees left on good terms to return. It's not easy to train new employees so many companies rather have experienced folks rejoin.

I worked for an Airline and absolutely loved the job and my co-workers. I had to resign for personal reasons. I too left on good terms and was told that if I wanted to come back they would rehire me. If I needed a job I would go back in a heartbeat!