Interview on Monday - how would you discuss flexible working?

[MumbleBag]

I have been trying to find a part-time job but have realised they are like gold dust, so have now started applying for full-time roles with the hope of discussing flexible working at a later stage.

I now have an interview on Monday for a fantastic sounding role within a law firm. I would ideally like to ask if they would consider letting me working a 4 day week or 4.5 days in 4 days or similar. Does anyone have any advice as to whether I should raise this at the interview stage or try and secure the job first and then negotiate? I don't want to waste their time but equally would love to be able to have the opportunity the get some time with my DC in the week.

[MillyMollyMama]

Hmmm. I think most employers would advertise that hours are negotiable/flexible or that the job is X hours a week or part-time. I think if this is not included in the job description or advertisement, I would have severe doubts about mentioning this at interview. If they had no suitable applicants, bar you, then you might be OK to ask, but how do you know this? I think you run a high risk of annoying them.

If we want a part-time employee or are offering flexible hours, we make that clear in the advertisement knowing it will encourage people who want flexibility to apply who might not otherwise be able to. If there is nothing in the info about this job that says part-time or flexible working, I would tread very carefully because they might think you cannot read the information and are wasting their time. They might also say that their job description was part of the employment contract and they may not want to agree to you unilaterally wanting to change it at a later date, having already accepted the job on the terms offered.

[Poloholo]

What sort of role are we talking about here?

[chickensandbees]

I would probably wait until you have a second interview or have been offered the job. It might put them off straight away and make it seem like it is the only thing you are interested in.

[sweetheart]

You could ask them things like do you allow virtual working or do you have a work/life balance policy which aren't directly asking if you can reduce the hours but will give you an indication to how they might react if you did bring it up perhaps at a 2nd interview or during negotiations if you were offered the position.

[justdrankacappuccino]

IME the best route into a part-time job is temping.

Do a great job, get your feet under the table, let them offer you a permanent job then start talking about four days. I've seen it a few times...

[nikosmum2010]

In my opinion, Get the full time job, work hard for 6 months, ask for flexible working, a job is better than no job