Should I get in touch before the interview...

[McDougal]

To ask if they'd be able to accommodate flexible hours one day a week for me to complete a masters?

I've just received an email for an interview that I thought I wasn't going to get if I'm completely honest. I've been dithering about applying for a masters for a little while and even discussed with my current manager to see if it would be possible around my current role. Current role is temp until March next year (and contract already been extended twice) so I've been job hunting.

When I applied for the role I've been invited to interview for, I had parked the masters idea but COVID has changed how the uni plan to deliver the course so it's a lot more flexible for this year only.

So now I've received an interview invite, would it be polite to have the conversation prior to wasting everyone's time at interview? Alternatively, I could do the interview and raise afterwards but have a feeling this could go against me.

If you were interviewing, which would you prefer?

[Hagster]

As an interviewer I'd prefer you to mention it before. Depends how much of a deal-breaker it is to you, would you still consider the role if they said no?

[Suzi888]

I would mention it now as a possibility.

I hate it when people apply for a full time post then casually drop in the interview they need reduced hours. At least if you know you can sometimes have a job share, if you know the candidates.

[McDougal]

Honestly, I don't think I'd be interested in the role if they said no. Main reason being that the role is fixed term, not much more money than I'm currently on and I'd only need three hours, once a week for the masters as all other work would be done outside of working hours.

I'm still planning to do full time hours, just hoping for some flexibility one day a week. I'd thought this didn't sound too unreasonable given that they're asking for flexibility to attend events etc. on weekends/outside regular working hours but I get your point that this might be frustrating for the interviewers.

I'll give them a call next week and keep my fingers crossed!

[ScrapThatThen]

I'd impress them first, get the job, then ask before accepting. But based on other people's responses, maybe I would say at interview and ask if flexibility for this work related training might be negotiable if I was successful in getting the role.

[McDougal]

That's kind of what I had in mind, Scrap, but I have a feeling I'll have a tough time selling the masters as having a link to the role. It definitely has from my perspective but with it being such a short term project, I think they'll want someone who'll be fully focused on the job...which I will be but past experience has told me that people can't see passed other commitments sometimes

[Suzi888]

Depends on the role and whether you’d be at least planning to stay on within the organisation, if you need training etc
Good luck with your career and education

[McDougal]

Thanks, suzi. I'd love to stay on...if it was an option. Getting a bit sick of moving around now but the posts that interest me seem to be temporary!

I'll speak to them on Tuesday and see what they say. I'm hoping it'll go in my favour that I've discussed it with them first. I can always hope, right?

[Suzi888]

@McDougal you never know, if your a good worker and it’s a temporary position anyway they could end up being very flexible. Some part time staff do more than full timers Fingers crossed for you.