Applying for full time job when only want part time

[cakeaddict]

Hi,
I have just seen a job advertised which really appeals to me. However, I work part time at the moment, don't want to change this and the position I've seen is full time. Has anyone else been in this situation and managed to get a company to offer a full time job on a part time basis? When in the process did you disclose that you only wanted part time?
I was thinking about emailing the HR department and asking if they would consider an application for part time, but wondering if I'd be better sending a knock 'em dead CV along with the query...
Any advice?

[smoggie]

Watching with interest - I'm in almost exactly the same predicament, but I'm returning to work form being SAHM for 2 years.
WHen I posted about this recently there were v mixed responses. I think I'm going to go with ringing HR/vancancy contact person and be upfront about part-time intentions, then jsut see if shortlisted. THen at least you've been upfront and there aren't any suprises if/whenyou are offered.

[flowerybeanbag]

How part time do you mean cakeaddict? Do you mean doing a full time job in, say 4 days, or compressed hours or something, or are you looking for less hours as essentially a job share or similar?

Is is public sector or private?

[cakeaddict]

Hi
I currently do 3 days - so yes, would be looking for part time/job share or something. I've only recently returned to work after m'leave so am not really wanting to increase my hours just yet. It's private sector, but affiliated to a university. I do know the organisation in question does sometimes post adverts for part time/job share working which is why I've been keeping my eye on them. This particular position is advertised as full time though.

[flowerybeanbag]

In that case you will be needing a significant change to the arrangements they are anticipating - either to the job itself or in terms of recruiting someone else to do the other half of it, so I'd probably go with the 'contact HR first' suggestion.

But I would also enclose a stunning cv as well, to give them more of an incentive to consider it.

My answer would be different if it was a job that was listed as full time, but you wanted to do in slightly less hours or arranged slightly differently. In that case I'd say raise it not earlier than second interview, when you've already wowed them.

But in your case it's a bit different so to avoid anyone wasting time, establish first whether they'd consider it, with a cv as well.

[nervousal]

I'd call them and discuss the possibility of it being part time before I applied. It is really annoying when you go through the whole receruitment process - being clear that its a full time job - and hte successful candidate saying htey only want pt.

[cakeaddict]

Thanks. I'll do that - my experience is very relevant to the job on offer, so I guess it is probably best to send the cv selling myself along with the part time question, just in case they can be persuaded (or get no decent candidates...!)

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Do you know anyone who could do the other half of the job? Presenting a jobshare solution would look positive, rather than saying "I only want to do 3 days, find someone else for the other two" iyswim.

[findtheriver]

I agree that sending a stunning cv and wowing them so that they want you, then discussing the possibility of part time is your best bet. Don't go through the whole process and get a job offer, allow them to possibly turn others down and then disclose that you don't want full time. It wastes everyones time.