STICKY SITUATION: About a month ago, I had a disagreement with my boss
\nof three years, and I impulsively walked out and quit the job I loved.
\nI cleared out my desk and split without even giving two weeks’ notice.
\nI also left behind a huge project I was in charge of midway through. I
\nhave not spoken to my boss since I left. I really blew it, since I’d
\nhad excellent reviews for three straight years. I just saw my old job
\nadvertised in the paper. Should I try to mend fences and apply for my
\nold position? I haven’t had any luck landing a new job.
WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS: Ah, would’ve, should’ve, could’ve. Sometimes
\nwe are our own worst enemies, as you were when you abruptly quit your
\njob. You broke a few rules by walking out the door. First, you gave in
\nto your emotions and did not look at the big picture. Second, you left
\nyour boss in the lurch, appearing to be not only hotheaded, but also
\nirresponsible, and hurting his opinion of you. And third, you let the
\nsituation fester by never calling your boss to straighten things out.
\nThis has led you to rehash the situation to a point where you have lost
\nperspective and now think that your old boss would even look at your CV
\nwithout tearing it up and tossing it into the trash.<\/p>
But you must talk to your boss — not to approach him for your old
\njob, but to straighten out this mess so it does not impact your ability
\nto land a new position elsewhere. Best, ask him out to lunch. Since you
\nknew each other for three years, he may be amenable to that idea. If he
\ndeclines your offer, take care of this over the phone.<\/p>
Write out your speech ahead of time. Apologise for walking out on
\nhim in the middle of the big project, and admit that you overreacted
\nand now regret your actions. If your old boss tells you how awful you
\nwere, don’t argue with him. Just listen and repeat that you are sorry
\nyou left him in a lurch. Say it was all a big misunderstanding.<\/p>
Next, tell him you would like to use him as a reference. Refresh
\nhis memory about the many successes you had at the company, and appeal
\nto his sense of humanity as someone you worked well with for three
\nyears.<\/p>
You’ll get a sense during the conversation of whether or not you’ll
\nbe able to use your old boss as a reference. If you can’t use him, call
\nanother manager in the company who you’ve worked with over the past
\nthree years, and ask him to be your reference.<\/p>
And the next time you’re tempted to walk out, make a trip to the
\ncorner Starbucks to cool off. Then return to work within 15 minutes and
\nsay you just needed a break.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STICKY SITUATION: About a month ago, I had a disagreement with my boss of three years, and I impulsively walked out and quit the job I loved. I cleared out my desk and split without even giving two weeks’ notice. I also left behind a huge project I was in charge of midway through. I … Continue reading Crawl Back to the Job You Quit?<\/span>