Invited for interview... Can I ask @ interview what the hours will be?

[SimpleAsABC]

Based on the job advert, I know that it's 10 per week which suits me fine as I'm @ uni too.

The job is in a nursery which I'd imagine might mean the hours are 10 over 5 days, ie every morning or every afternoon. As I'm @ uni on a monday morning and all day thurs, I wouldn't be able to do this. As I've stated this in application I'm guessing my initial assumptions were wrong.

Can I ask @ the interview if they know what the hours will be, or is that too forward?

I will also have a three week placement, one in november and one in february. Should I make them aware of this now, or wait until hopefully (!) I am offered the job? Chances are I could do this placement in the nursery (in fact I'm certain I can) so it might not need to be a problem.

Last thing is, it's a local authority interview and they have a rep for being difficult.. any questions I should ask which would come across well?

Top tips for interviews in gen would also be appreciated

[hughjarssss]

They will probably outline the hours the hours at the start of the interview but if not they should ask you if you have any questions and you could ask about the hours then.

[SqueakyPop]

For that kind of job, I would wait until they offer it, and then negotiate.

[fymandbean]

I would ask BEFORE the interview - just give them a call - say you want to check - better than getting there and realising you can't do it! ps good luck

[funnypeculiar]

Personally, I'd see how the interview goes/what they're like. I don't think it's inappropriate to ask if they have any constraints on how the 10 hours would be split across the week. They know what you can't do and have interviewed you, so presumably whatever it is they are confident you can do it

I think (if you are really certain your placement could be in the nursery) I'd keep quiet about that one for now - but maybe double check it over the next couple of days so that when they offer you the job, you can tell them about it & be totally clear straight away

[SimpleAsABC]

Hmmmm!

It is very exciting as it would be the perfect job.

Feel a bit bad but I do think I'll go along and see how it goes before mentioning it. I'm assuming they'll def ask about uni whilst I'm there and then I'll have to tell them what hours I'm in anyway.

Sound ok?

[TwoToTango]

Agree with funnypeculiar. I would think if they had any preference about when the hours were to be worked they would have specified in the advert.

[BouncingTurtle]

I've just being interviewing, and I made sure all the candidates were aware what the hours were.
I'd be surprised if your interviewer didn't do the same.

Smart dress, make eye contact, sit up straight and you'll make a good impression. And be confident! Have you done a bit of background research into the nursery so you understand its ethos/modus operandi?

Best of luck!

[Ronaldinhio]

And at the end of the interview if you want the job, tell them...it can make all the difference!
Good luck

[Oblomov]

I would want to know before. I have worked p/t for the last 4.5 years. I need to know if it is mon, wed, fri, 5 hrs on a ...
I think it is very odd that they haven't already specified.

Whats the point of getting to an interview to find they want it over 5 days, or on one day - whichever, that you can't do ?
A waste of your time and theirs.

[SimpleAsABC]

Does the fact that they've not specified think that they might be flexible?

[overthemill]

get the job then negotiate - it swhat i've just done