What Are Boomerang Employees and How to Recruit Them?

Nov 24, 2018
Blog

Welcome to Life Designers, your trusted partner in the world of consulting and analytical services. In this article, we will explore the concept of boomerang employees and provide you with valuable insights on how to effectively recruit them for your business.

Understanding Boomerang Employees

Boomerang employees are individuals who leave a company, gain experience elsewhere, and then return to their former employer. This phenomenon has gained significant attention in recent years as businesses recognize the immense value of rehiring former employees.

Contrary to popular belief, boomerang employees are not a sign of high turnover rates or a lack of loyalty. Rather, they can be a valuable asset to organizations, bringing with them previous knowledge, fresh perspectives, and enthusiasm.

The Benefits of Hiring Boomerang Employees

1. Familiarity with Company Culture: Boomerang employees are already familiar with your organization's values, mission, and culture. This significantly reduces the onboarding time and allows them to quickly integrate back into the team.

2. Enhanced Productivity: As former employees, boomerang employees possess a unique advantage of understanding the internal processes and workflows. They can leverage their past experiences to contribute immediately, making them highly productive from day one.

3. Cost Savings: Hiring boomerang employees can save your business considerable time and money in terms of recruitment and training. Since they are already familiar with your company, their learning curve is significantly shorter, resulting in lower costs associated with ramping up new hires.

4. Strengthening Company Culture: Boomerang employees bring back valuable external experiences and knowledge gained from working elsewhere. They can inject fresh perspectives into your organization while still aligning with your established company culture.

Effective Strategies to Recruit Boomerang Employees

1. Maintain Positive Relationships: Even when employees decide to leave your organization, it is essential to maintain positive relationships with them. This can be achieved through open communication, providing support during their career transitions, and staying connected through professional networking platforms.

2. Encourage Alumni Programs: Establish alumni programs to keep former employees engaged and connected with your company. These programs can include regular newsletters, networking events, or even opportunities for part-time or contract work.

3. Leverage External Networks: Reach out to industry-related events, conferences, and online platforms to stay connected with past employees. By maintaining a strong presence in their professional networks, you increase the likelihood of attracting them back when suitable positions arise.

4. Tailored Boomerang Job Listings: When posting job openings, create targeted listings specifically tailored to attract boomerang employees. Highlight the unique benefits of returning to your organization and emphasize the value of their previous experience.

5. Conduct Exit Interviews: Exit interviews provide valuable insights into why employees leave and what improvements can be made within your organization. Use this feedback to address any concerns and make necessary changes to increase the likelihood of employees considering a return.

Conclusion

Boomerang employees offer a valuable opportunity for businesses to capitalize on the existing talent and experience within their former workforce. By implementing effective strategies to recruit them, businesses can benefit from their familiarity with company culture, enhanced productivity, cost savings, and strengthened company culture.

At Life Designers, we understand the significance of boomerang employees and offer consulting and analytical services to help businesses optimize their talent acquisition strategies. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive solutions tailored to elevate your recruitment efforts.

Ronald Muller
Great insights on boomerang employees! 👍
Nov 8, 2023