Interview dilemma

[basildonbond]

I have an interview in a few days' time which is great but the job is full-time and the commute would be 2+ hours per day. I am a semi-lone parent for much of the time (dh works away for long stretches) and having thought about the logistics I can't see anyway to make it work while retaining my sanity and keeping everyone happy at home

I am eminently qualified to do the job (and have a very specific and unusual skill set which would be perfect for this job). The organisation has also had to re-advertise as they didn't find anyone suitable first time round.

I'm thinking of seeing what happens at the interview and if they make me an offer trying to negotiate to work from home a couple of days a week (am currently working from home with meetings at head office so know it's possible to do this job that way). Is this s terrible idea? Has anyone managed to negotiate successfully in similar circumstances?

(I realise I'm getting ahead of myself as they may well not make me an offer!)

[Nolim]

If it is impossible to mske it work withouth flexible areangements then by all means raise it once you have the offer.

[basildonbond]

thanks - it would be impossible logistically so I'll just have to try if I get an offer

[pinkglitter80]

yes def worth a go, mil in similar position and gets paid her travel time to get there & slightly shorter working day as they need her skills!

[FishWithABicycle]

Go for it and give everything you've got to being the first choice candidate at interview. Then at negotiation stage it's a perfectly reasonable thing to ask for.

Even if they are open to working from home generally, they may not be comfortable with it in the first couple of weeks when really every day needs to be about interacting with new colleagues and learning everything there is to learn. I'm not sure how productive it is possible to be at home on day 2 of a new job. We have lots of work-from-home-sometimes people in our office but it's always people who've been doing their job forever and need no supervision or support.


So investigate if dh can take a few days off or if you can make temporary arrangements for the first couple of weeks, and when you ask for this say that you wouldn't need it to kick in right away but only when you've learned enough that you'll be able to be productive when you're at home.

[basildonbond]

Well... I've been invited back for a second interview/"informal chat" - I am apparently the only candidate invited back

The original role was a bit too junior so I don't think they're going to offer that to me but think they must be trying to work out how they could make use of my experience

Has anyone had something similar?

[FishWithABicycle]

Well done!
I've only had an "informal chat" style second interview once. The only bit of advice I have is don't relax too much! You're still being judged until you have your contract signed. (or even till you've passed your probation) I've heard of someone who thought he had a job offer practically certain when he was invited to an informal lunch with the senior partners, but took the word "informal" too literally and didn't get the job.