In recent years, the concept of the “boomerang employee” has gained significant traction in the corporate world — individuals who leave a company only to return to it later, often bringing with them new skills and perspectives.
According to a 2023 Harvard Business Review report, 28 percent of new hires were boomerangs who had resigned in the previous three years.
At BlueConic, one of those rehires is Customer Success Manager Hayat Ali-Ghoneim.
“During my first stint at BlueConic, the onboarding process was less established. However, my second stint offered a much-improved experience,” Ali-Ghoneim said. “This time, BlueConic University played a larger role in my onboarding, providing me with straight-to-the-point platform training and practical use-case exercises.”
For Ali-Ghoneim, these exercises were invaluable in helping her understand the types of use cases a typical customer would execute.
“Based on each use case, I was able to explore different capabilities within the platform,” she explained. “This really helped lay the foundation of my learnings at BlueConic as a CSM. My favorite part was being able to talk through my exercises with a manager or peer after completing them. These discussions helped me validate my thinking and understand the different ways to approach each exercise.”
From a strategic standpoint, rehiring former employees can be a savvy move. These individuals already understand the company culture, processes and expectations, which can significantly reduce onboarding time and costs. Research from Cornell University found that boomerang employees perform better and are more productive than new hires during their first year back. This strategy suggests that the company is not only pragmatic but it also values proven talent and is willing to invest in it repeatedly.
“Being a boomerang employee has really benefited me this second time around,” Ali-Ghoneim affirmed. “Reflecting on my first time at BlueConic allowed me to identify areas for improvement and come up with solutions. For example, I was able to improve on my organizational and stress-management skills and have shared that experience with my peers. I feel that I’ve been able to provide my team with ways to succeed in their day to day, which feels like a big accomplishment for me.”
Built In heard from Ali-Ghoneim about how BlueConic has helped her transition back to the team and how she is thriving at the organization.
What pleasantly surprised you after you rejoined BlueConic?
I’m surprised by the open-door policy. All the leaders and managers are approachable and open to feedback. I really appreciate this level of openness.
“All the leaders and managers are approachable and open to feedback.”
Another pleasant surprise is the use of Slack statuses. The fact that I can share that I’m caring for my child, on a walk, need a brain break or that I’m not feeling at 100 percent is incredibly validating. These are all real, everyday situations we face and knowing they are acknowledged and respected is amazing to me. It seems like a small thing, but it goes a long way for me personally.
When did you know you made the right choice in rejoining BlueConic?
I’m not able to pinpoint one thing, but I will highlight a couple that stand out to me. First, when I received my offer letter from BlueConic, my then-employer made a counter offer. The talent acquisition manager at BlueConic allowed me to openly discuss the counter offer and helped me make an informed decision.
Second, shortly after accepting my offer, I was faced with a personal matter and was concerned that my offer would be rescinded. Instead, the team worked with me on a path forward that ultimately benefited both of us. Everyone was very understanding and showed a lot of compassion.
Third, my boundaries are always respected by everyone around me. I’ve come back to work part-time, so there are days and times I’m not available, and everyone respects that schedule.
What aspect of your professional growth are you most excited to evolve?
In my time at BlueConic, I’ve been fortunate to have really great mentors. I’d really like to get to a point in my growth where I can pay it forward by sharing my knowledge and experience to support someone else’s growth and development.
