Applying for a job when you're about to go on holiday

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How do you word a cover letter when you desperately want the job, but know that you will be unavailable for more than three weeks the week after you send it?

I wouldn't be able to go to an interview (assuming I get called for one) the Friday the DC break up (they finish at 11) and then "D"H has 3.5 weeks holiday. He does not know I'm applying for jobs, and I really, really don't want to have to tell him until I have an offer on the table. After that I can persuade MIL to have a day out with them or ask a neighbour to watch them for a morning.

The job ad was published yesterday and they have a provisional start date of 1st Sept. I don't want to rule myself out from the start!

what's the closing date on the job advert?
Just put on your letter than you will on holiday with dates but are available by mobile telephone (I assume) and by email.

Sounds like a school post?

If so, then interview dates can't really be moved easily but can occasionally be via teams depending on the role; teaching/TA not so much as they like to see you in a class setting.

There isn't a closing date.
I will be available by email, but not sure about Zoom/phone etc as for some of the time I'll be abroad somewhere with an unreliable internet connection (and I'd have to tell everyone what I'm doing!)

It's not in a school, its civil service.

With civil service the job ad usually states the interview dates. Is that not the case here? If so that's good news as they're probably flexible.

But why don't you want to tell your DH? Does he not support your ambitions?

It must have a closing date if it’s civil service.

Are you sure 1 September isn’t the closing date?

They aren’t quick in processing applications generally!

You don’t need to put anything in the personal statement.

There will be a contact email somewhere in the application for interview issues and adjustments. Just email them after you’ve submitted the application.

Yes, I'm sure it's the starting date. And also sure there isn't a closing date for the applications. And also no proposed interview dates, although from previous experience if they're interested, you get an email within a week.

Yes, I'm sure it's the starting date. although it does say this can be discussed.

I think you just have to send it and see what happens. I wouldn't make things "difficult" from the start. Either you'll be able to make their date or you won't and either they'll be able to move it or they won't.

It will depend what kind of response they get how flexible they're prepared to be. If it is a school job, the kinds of admin/support roles we used to be inundated for are really hard to fill currently, so you may find they're more flexible that they would previously have been.