好马怎么才能吃到回头草?

As companies' hiring freezes start to thaw, many laid-off individuals may see a chance to regain a position in their old companies. The odds of getting an old job back are better if you were let go for budgetary reasons and the company outlook has improved. But if a position was lost as part of a restructuring or consolidation, it may not be worth the effort. Here are a few things to consider if you're trying to get your old job back.

-- Do a self assessment. Be honest with yourself. 'Sometimes there is some selectivity in who is laid off,' says Jerald Jellison, a psychologist and professor of social psychology at the University of Southern California who specializes in the workplace. 'Maybe there's something in there that you need to understand about how people at the company perceived you.' He recommends asking yourself whether you created any bad feelings when you left.

Also consider what you could have done differently when you worked there. Is there a way you could have provided more value in your department or team that still applies now? You should also consider whether or not you feel a renewed commitment to the work you'd be doing, says Mr. Jellison. 'I liken it to returning to an old flame. Is it really a good idea? Do you really want to be there?'

-- Improve yourself. Consider what the company will need as conditions improve. If you were a marketing manager, return to the job with a new angle of attack that can help make the company more competitive.

You might also want to enroll in a course that will bump up your skills set and show your former employer that you've kept up, even as you've been out of work. Highlight these new skills on your resume and, later, during the interview.

-- Plan ahead. Even if your old firm is staring to rebuild and your position is resurrected, don't assume you'll get the job. Approach the application process and interview as if you were a new candidate. Fine-tune your resume, do research that shows you haven't fallen behind on what the company has been doing, prepare for the interview and be ready to answer tough questions.

-- Tap your inside connections. If you're still on good terms with former peers that have kept their jobs, ask them how things are now relative to when you were there. Get up to speed on any other news that can help you understand key personnel changes or staffing needs says Ruth K. Liebermann, Managing Director of Boston-based HR Insourcing LLC.

'Contact your former boss and let him [or her] know that you're interested,' says Ms. Lieberman. 'Tell your boss what you've done to stay current and what new initiatives you plan to bring, with the benefit of hindsight, and what new energy you have coming back.'

-- Consider a contract. If there are no full-time positions available, consider asking to work on a contract basis. The pay will usually be higher, and though there are no benefits, the job may eventually transition into a full-time position.

-- Put your boss at ease. It's important to assure the management that you harbor no bad feelings about being laid off and are eager to return to work. If you're trying to persuade a new boss to bring you back into your old job, focus on your accomplishments and get references to back up your claims. Emphasize your familiarity with internal processes and your openness to learn new ones.