In today’s rapidly evolving job market, career paths are no longer linear, people feel like they are hitting roadblocks and are often left wanting to explore different opportunities and gain diverse experiences and perspectives.
Although we pride ourselves on fostering a unique culture that attracts and retains top talent, we’re no exception to experiencing employees feeling the need to explore other career options. Over the years, numerous employees have left Stryker to explore new opportunities, only to return with a newfound appreciation for the exceptional workplace environment we offer.
The decision to return to a company you left can sometimes feel like a backward move. So how do you know if it’s right for you?
Stryker’s own return employees weighed in on how they decided returning to Stryker was the best option for them.
1. Ask yourself what you value
Are you looking for a career where you connect with the company’s mission? A place to work where employee growth and well-being are a priority? For those who’ve left and come back to Stryker, there has been a common thread. They missed doing work that they connected with on a deeper level, and they missed doing it in an environment that supported who they were as people.
“Consider when you felt most connected to a mission, felt empowered to move mountains, and had an amazing team to do it with. That's the place you want to be in!” – Kiran M. | Senior Director, R&D | Returned to Stryker after 7 years
“The mission brought me back to Stryker – the ability to be part of something more than a sale. I wanted the compensation to be the byproduct of a fulfilling job done well. After leaving Stryker, I chased this feeling for three years. Coming back, I felt like the chase was finally over. I could feel good about what I was doing and make a good living.” – Nathan L. | Regional Sales Manager | Returned to Stryker after 3 years
2. Consider the culture
Company culture can make or break your work experience, it sets the tone for your day-to-day work life. Workplace culture not only influences employee motivation and satisfaction but also leads to overall well-being. Stryker’s returning employees have shared again and again that our company culture played a huge role in their decision to come back.
“After leaving Stryker, I had the opportunity to work for one of the world’s largest tech companies. I loved my role, but I definitely missed the ‘people first’ culture that was the flagship of Stryker’s brand.” – Sarah H. | Director of Business Development | Returned to Stryker after 18 months
“The people made me decide to come back to Stryker. I missed the strong culture and focus on developing talent from within.” – Kendall A. | Human Resources Business Partner | Returned to Stryker after 1 year
“I left Stryker because I needed to spend time focusing on my personal life. I love that Stryker respected that choice and kept the bridge open to me when the time was right to return. This showed me a lot about the company and the culture. Stryker hasn’t just supported my career; Stryker supported my life and my total well-being. Coming back and being received with arms wide open emphasized what I already knew – Stryker is special.” – Stephanie B. | Vice President, Human Resources | Returned to Stryker after 1 year
3. Trust your Stryker network
Whether you’ve been away six weeks, or six years, it’s important to stay connected and nurture the relationships you built during your time at Stryker. Coming back to Stryker might not be on your radar right now, but by continuing to foster the relationships you built during that chapter of your life can lead to opportunities later.
Just because there wasn’t an opportunity available when you left, doesn’t mean there will never be an opportunity that interests you. By staying connected to former colleagues, you’re at the front of their minds when these opportunities become available.
“A year after my departure, I was recruited back to Stryker by two of my former colleagues and mentors who were working on creating a brand-new role in the mergers and acquisition space at Stryker. This role didn’t exist when I left the company. When they told me about the opportunity, I was sold.” – Sarah H. | Director of Business Development | Returned to Stryker after 18 months
“I saw a career posting at Stryker and began to think about what the future could look like if I went back. I called my old manager and told him I’d like an opportunity to apply for the job – he gave me the chance and I was able to come back. I’m forever grateful to him. “– Bruce R. | Regional Sales Manager | Returned to Stryker after 18 months
“It took a friend, and former colleague, asking me if I was truly happy doing what I was doing outside of Stryker before I fully realized how unhappy I was. Thankfully, he opened my eyes to the fact that I was just working a job and not enjoying my work.” – Nathan L. | Regional Sales Manager | Returned to Stryker after 3 years
4. Recognize that your needs and wants change
There is a notion that returning to a former company is a backward move. That we should continue progressing and trying new things – but that isn’t always true. Sometimes, going back is a sign of growth. There is an element of clarity that many of our returning employees have found after stepping away from Stryker that eventually led them to return.
“Stryker was my first job out of grad school, and I left after 10 years. Sometimes you have to leave and have other experiences to really appreciate the unique culture Stryker has.” – Kiran M. | Senior Director, R&D | Returned to Stryker after 7 years
“I knew immediately that I wanted to come back to Stryker. I missed it the entire time I was gone. I missed the people and the purpose behind the work. My new company was good to me, and I wanted to give it a fair shot, but my feelings never changed.” – Bruce R. | Regional Sales Manager | Returned to Stryker after 18 months
“I could have engaged in conversations with my manager about creative ways I could return to work after my leave. But I knew the best thing for me, and my new family was to step away. Stryker would have worked with me, but I needed to transition into motherhood and settle into my new identity. Coming back was amazing, I received so many warm welcomes and exciting updates. It felt like coming home.” -Stephanie B. | Vice President, Human Resources | Returned to Stryker after 1 year
5. Trust your intuition
Reflect on your gut feeling about returning to Stryker. Do you feel genuinely excited and look forward to rejoining the organization? Your career is a significant part of your life and being passionate about your work is essential for long-term satisfaction and success. Those who’ve left and have come back to Stryker all agree – it was the right move for them, and they couldn’t imagine building their career elsewhere.
“Coming back was the best professional moved I have made in my career, and I will be a lifer at Stryker. – Nathan L. | Regional Sales Manager | Returned to Stryker after 3 years
“When I was away from Stryker, I served as a Management Consultant, I got to experience a variety of companies, cultures and teams. It was an amazing journey, and I’m grateful for the learning, but I never found that right balance of mission, execution and team. That’s when I knew I had to find my way back to Stryker.” – Kiran M. | Senior Director, R&D | Returned to Stryker after 7 years
Returning to Stryker offers employees unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. Whether you left for personal reasons, to explore new opportunities, or because you felt like you needed a change of pace, remember our door is always open.
Check out our careers site to look at new opportunities available.