visa for emplyment?? help

I am a bit confused .. now Iam on tier 1 general before that when I used to be in my country I was working for a company based in the uk but they were sending me other countries to work there then they send me a letter to go to uk embassy in my country to issue a visa to come to uk that visa type the embassy issue is ''visa foe employment with XYZ company'' no recourse to public funds and must register with police in 7 days I came to uk and the economical crises started I stayed here 4 months with no work then I returned my country 2009 and applied to tier 1 general then come back to uk and start working for different country ,,
please can any one tell me what that category of visa is ''visa foe employment with XYZ company'' is it a work permit or not
and when I apply for ILR can I include in the 5 years period the entry date of that visa??
also I got a visa student before
HELP

any help any one please!