Returning Employees Often See Salary Increases of Up to 25 Percent

Miriam Urbano reached a career plateau when her supervisor received a promotion and she was overlooked for the vacancy. The 39-year-old labor relations expert chose to leave her position to seek better professional development opportunities at a multinational technology firm. After a year of acquiring new skills, her former employer, Adecco, contacted her to offer a project manager role reporting to the executive committee. She accepted the offer, noting that the new position made her feel valued.

The ‘Boomerang’ Career Trend

Employees who return to former employers often secure salary increases of up to 25 percent, according to industry experts. Gustavo Pina, a representative from the recruitment firm Hays, stated that workers who leave to gain experience elsewhere typically return with enhanced skills, which justifies higher compensation. Pina noted that this trend is common, provided the employee did not err in their initial decision to leave.

Technology Sector Shifts Favor Senior Talent

The technology sector has become increasingly reliant on rehiring former staff. Data from the Radiografía de Empleos y Sectores Emergentes 2026 report, published by DigitalES, indicates a shift in hiring priorities. Between April 2025 and March 2026, job offers for senior professionals in the sector increased by 13 percent.

Conversely, opportunities for junior profiles in information technology and telecommunications declined by 5 percent during the same period. The drop is particularly pronounced among young programmers, where vacancies fell by 33 percent. Analysts attribute this decrease to the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence, which has altered the demand for entry-level programming roles.

Why it matters: As artificial intelligence continues to disrupt entry-level tech roles, companies are prioritizing experienced hires who require less training. For employees, this trend suggests that strategic career moves—rather than long-term tenure at a single firm—can lead to significant salary growth and higher-level responsibilities upon return.