Help!- how do I apply for a full time post I want to do part time?

[carriemac]

I hope you employed corporate sharks can help me!
My dream job (in communications) has just been advertised, as a full time post. However, i would like to only do 3 days. When in the application process do i mention this. The employer (NHS) is "commited to flexible working practices for work life balance" allegedly. I really want this job.
At present i am a SAHM having just finished a postgraduate diploma in communications

[WideWebWitch]

My advice (although not corp shark! but used to work in big corp) would be not to mention it but to apply for full time, get it and then negotiate to part time once you're there. That's certainly what I'd do although someone with public sector experience may say that it works very differently there and that when they say this work/life stuff in an ad they mean it. Good luck!

[WideWebWitch]

Meant to say especially if it's advertised as a full time post. It means they think they need someone full time atm and this is what they've budgeted for. Maybe you could get it and then persuade them to go for a job share?

[Philippat]

I work for local authority, so similar I'd assume.

My boss advised someone else applying for a job with us to apply as is, then when they offered the job, ask to reduce your hours. They will be bound (by law as well as their policies) to consider it.

Personally, I wouldn't throw it into the pot upfront, because you won't be knowledgeable enough about the job yet to be able to suggest how your reduced hours scenario will work in practice.

[Harrysmum]

Recent (as in the last year) employment law course said that you have the legal right to ask for part-time once you have been given a full-time job and they must at least consider it and have very good reasons if they turn it down. I wouldn't mention it until you have the post in your hand and it gives you time to think of a proper, reasoned case to present to them at the appropriate time.

[carriemac]

Thanks for all the excellent advice so far. its complicated by the fact that i did a work placement there (which went v well, excellent evaluation etc) which although was full time they probably know i want part time. I also surprised they did'nt tell me the job was going to be advertised, does this mean they don't want me to apply? am I being oversensitive?

[webmum]

CARRIEMAC

I did something similar, even though unwillingly, I went to an interview because I couldn't find anything part-time, it was the first I was offered after months looking for a job, so I thought what the h*, I might just as well give it a go, at the worst I can always reject the job.

As it always happens I was offered the job, then I'd changed my mind about going back fulltime, I wasn't ready after all. I DIN?T ask for anything but at the end of my speech, I was asked would I consider to go part-time then? I said yes and eventually I was given the job on my terms I cvould choose the hours and days I wanted to work. And this is a government body.

By all means go for it, you'll decide how to approach the parttime thing once you're given the job!! GOOD LUCK

[carriemac]

Thanks webmum, that is encouraging. There will be other jobs if this does'nt work out, its just hard to get it into perspective when i really want it

[carriemac]

Thanks webmum, that is encouraging. There will be other jobs if this does'nt work out, its just hard to get it into perspective when i really want it

[RedKa]

I applied for a full-time job with the intention of doing it part-time and was offered it. I managed to negotiate 4 days a week (a day longer than I wanted) but now that I'm in the job I can probably negotiate less if I want to or arrange to work from home in the evenings because the work involves research.

Go for it and then work out the hours if/when you are offered it.

[aaaj]

good luck with it all. i am sure that things will work out well for you - i know it sounds glib but at the end of the day if it doesnt happen then it wasnt meant to be. stick to your guns for your part time - you and you family deserve it! let us know how you get on.