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Original poster

WWYD? Interview time doesn’t work for me

60 replies

Fraler93 · 25/10/2023 12:00

so I’ve been a sahm mum for 6 years. I recently started a part time work from home job but I’m now looking to get a better full time job. I applied for a role which is a very good opportunity for me, did the virtual interview and to my surprise I’ve got through to the face to face interview stage.

On Monday I received a message asking me to come for the interview at 4pm Wednesday (today), so not even 48hrs notice. I haven’t told them I have kids yet but I said I’m working till 5pm so couldn’t make that time and asked if they had a different day. I said this as I didn’t have any childcare for the dc, it’s half term and dp would have been working. In all honesty I haven’t told dp or anyone as I don’t want anyone to know incase I don’t get the job.

they said they may be able to do Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I said perfect, as dc will be back in school so won’t have to worry about childcare etc. they have just messaged to tell me they can do Tuesday at 4pm. I JUST realised that is Halloween and I have plans with the dc, just like a Christmas tradition we do trick or treating and Halloween stuff on that day every year. If it was earlier I would 100% have no issue, but 4-5pm? The dc will be home and I won’t be able to do our plans with them.

im really not sure what to do, I really want to do the interview and the job (even though I’m sure I wouldn’t get it) but I can’t ask them for a different day as I said Tuesday and Wednesday work great for me…

what would you do? Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 25/10/2023 12:01

Yes you are being unreasonable. Do you want an interview or not?

CountryStore · 25/10/2023 12:04

Can you do the Halloween things a bit later than normal? I'm assuming the interview will be 1 hour or less?
They're not going to want to employ you if you can't go a bit out of your way to go to the interview 😬

twistyizzy · 25/10/2023 12:04

You have already asked for them to change it which they have accommodated. Therefore you need to make Tuesday 4pm work for you as you said you could make that day.

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crackerstuc · 25/10/2023 12:04

Yes.

Berushni · 25/10/2023 12:05

You can't ask them to change it again.

Singleandproud · 25/10/2023 12:05

Go for the interview, get takeaway on the way home and then do Halloween traditions straight after. Is this job WFH or in person?If it's in person are you going to have challenges doing it. You may prefer the flexibility given by WFH for a little longer if the childre are youngeven if it isn't well paid

PinkRoses1245 · 25/10/2023 12:07

You can’t ask to change again, it won’t be favourable to you. It’s not ideal such short notice. Being kind - this is what it’ll be like working full time, so you need to get used to it

Finlesswonder · 25/10/2023 12:08

🙄

BoredAuditor · 25/10/2023 12:11

You can't change it again- it wouldn't look good.

You don't sound very invested in this job OP! Just do Halloween stuff afterwards. You really seem to be looking for a problem that's not there.

OlderandwiserMaybe · 25/10/2023 12:11

Honestly Halloween happens every year. missing your family traditions once wont matter. If you want this job you're going to have to make this new interview time work. Do you have someone who can watch kids 4-5 today?
have you thought about how you can cover school holidays and after school times in the future if you are successful getting this role?

Fluffyc1ouds · 25/10/2023 12:12

I think you just need to go for it. Most people working full time wouldn't be available for Halloween activities 4-5pm so, in the kindest way possible, it's something you'll have to get used to.

AnneLovesGilbert · 25/10/2023 12:12

Go to the interview! Come on.

404usernotfound · 25/10/2023 12:14

Sorry OP. You need to find a way to make it work if you want the job. You’ll look flaky otherwise.

Original poster
Fraler93 · 25/10/2023 12:15

Hi everyone. I do agree with you all. I know I can’t ask them to change it again and I know I need to go out of my way, it’s a hybrid role with 3 days in office and 2wfh. I’m already weary of the challenges of that, as I’ll have to resort to breakfast/after school clubs but it’s 9-5 so Definitley do-able.

we have a club booked for the dc at 4-5pm that day which I would be taking them to and then all the Halloween fun straight after. Dp has actually taken the evening off (which rarely happens) so we were going to do our little traditions together. It would mean he’d actually have to pick the dc up from school, get them changed/sorted, take them to the club alone and then I’d somehow meet them after (I’ll be taking the train to the interview).

OP posts:
Stephisaur · 25/10/2023 12:15

I feel like I spend half my life scheduling and rescheduling interviews 😂

I think the company could be being more flexible (if you aren't able to do 4pm on the first date, I would have questioned whether there was a better time for a reschedule!)

That said, you've possibly thrown their interview schedule out of whack (may have had all interviews planned for this week with a view to deciding on Monday) and they've graciously found time to fit you in next week.

Pure speculation of course, based on how I schedule things!

I don't see why you can't do your halloween things when you get home from the interview?

TotalOverhaul · 25/10/2023 12:15

get your best mum friend to have your DC straight frotm school to get them all set up in Halloween gear and then go straight from the interview to meet up with them. If you get a full time job, Dc will need to get used to you not being around straight from school every day.

But you are also allowed to realise you are not ready to miss out on this stage of DC's lives and stick with a pt job in which case turn down the interview and enjoy Halloween.

Drews · 25/10/2023 12:15

Do the Hallowe'en thing a hour or so later in the evening.

Stephisaur · 25/10/2023 12:16

Just seen your update.

DP presumably supports your change of job, so he will need to do pickup etc as you say and then you can get a taxi back from the train station to meet them.

Plankingplanks · 25/10/2023 12:20

You need to tell DP and get him to do it. It will be a good reflection of whether you could actually take on a full time job and have DPs full support.

If you messed me around like that then I wouldn't offer you a third date, and I interview a lot.

Finlesswonder · 25/10/2023 12:20

Ummm....I'm sure your children's father can deal with them alone from 4 to 5.30pm

Original poster
Fraler93 · 25/10/2023 12:21

Dp would like me to reskill and change careers. He isn’t aware I have applied for this role nor have an interview. Part of my worries as I don’t want to feel embarrassed telling anyone then not actually getting the role. He has also never had this much responsibility with the dc. He works 7 days a week and I do all of the physical stuff. So this would be a big step and I’m so used to doing it myself I’m feeling weird. Ofcourse I’m aware that if I get a full time role I’ll have to get used to not doing everything myself and he’ll have to help more though.

the recruiter that sent me the text actually said ‘they can do 4pm Tuesday 31st. Can you make this work?’

I honestly didn’t realise interviews took place that late. I thought they’d usually be done morning/afternoon which is why I didn’t question the time

OP posts:
Sunshineclouds11 · 25/10/2023 12:23

An interview is what, 20/30 mins? If that.

You need to go if you want the job

EmmaEmerald · 25/10/2023 12:24

"It would mean he’d actually have to pick the dc up from school, get them changed/sorted, take them to the club alone and then I’d somehow meet them after (I’ll be taking the train to the interview)."

so?

have you been in the workplace long or are you 19 or so? Many interviews happen outside working hours. 4pm isn't late.

UnevenBalance · 25/10/2023 12:24

Fraler93 · 25/10/2023 12:15

Hi everyone. I do agree with you all. I know I can’t ask them to change it again and I know I need to go out of my way, it’s a hybrid role with 3 days in office and 2wfh. I’m already weary of the challenges of that, as I’ll have to resort to breakfast/after school clubs but it’s 9-5 so Definitley do-able.

we have a club booked for the dc at 4-5pm that day which I would be taking them to and then all the Halloween fun straight after. Dp has actually taken the evening off (which rarely happens) so we were going to do our little traditions together. It would mean he’d actually have to pick the dc up from school, get them changed/sorted, take them to the club alone and then I’d somehow meet them after (I’ll be taking the train to the interview).

That sounds like an excellent organisation.
If you are to work full time, incl 3 days in the office, your DH will have to step up and do some of the pick ups.

Is it a shame that it just fall onto that specific day? Yes definitively. But that’s life tbh. You can’t at the same time do a full time job and be present to all the activities/outings your dcs do (or might want to do).

I think you really need to speak to your DH though. Because working full time will impact him and you need him to be on board. Not just you still doing it all as if you were still a SAHM whilst ALSO working full time. He’ll have to adjust and take on some if the ‘jobs’ you were doing too.

Finlesswonder · 25/10/2023 12:25

4pm is the afternoon....?

I can sort of understand not wanting to tell anyone about the job but this is your DP you're talking about, it's strange to me that you wod be worried about looking embarrassed in front of your partner.

Honestly you're making this much more complicated than it needs to be. Tell DP, get him to handle the afrer school activity, and then meet them after your interview. Good luck!