.. to apply for a permanent role when I really want part-time?

[Annabel7]

I have 2 little ones and have not worked for 3 years. Not many jobs seem to come up in the field that I work and certainly not part-time. So, finally, a job comes up, 30 mins away, that's perfect but full time. Ideally, I would like to work 3 days but would do 4 and figure it might be considered if they really want me.

So firstly, am I being unreasonable to request this? Has anyone else done this with any success? If so, when's best to 'drop' this into conversation? I have a phone interview tomorrow which, I guess, would be followed by a face to face interview if it goes well.....

I woul;d mention it at the interview. Then they will know if it's worthwhile offering you the job. Could you call them beforehand to check?

Tell them when they offer you the job.
What will you do if they say no?

There's no harm in asking.

If you really can't work full time and would have to turn the job down, then you need to mention it at the interview stage. There is no point in having them offer you a full time post that you can't accept. They may have another applicant who'd consider a job-share, or you might be able to work from home part of the time.

If you can deal with working full time for a while, you could get through the interview process without mentioning it, then test the waters after you've held the post for a while.

Ask them at the interview or on your application if they would consider a job share. Leaving it until they offer you the job and then saying you dont want the actual job they were advertising may mean messing them about and blotting your copy book with them for wasting their time.

Thanks for the quick responses! I think I would say no if they said it's 5 days and no flexibility to work the odd day from home. Oh, it's tough. It's a good job and I'm really ready to start work again but I'd hardly see the kids. My husband travels a lot with his job and I just feel it's so little parental input for the kids (aged 3 and 1) aside from the fact I'd miss them. Would you mention at 1st interview or face to face?

If I was an employer, I'd make exceptions for the right candidate. But then I would say that, wouldn't I?

Most sensible way may be to do the job full time (if you get it)

Then once you see how the role works and have proved yourself maybe consider applying for reduced days.

You only have the legal right to apply for flexible working after 26 weeks with the company. At that stage you will know whether the job can be done in less days and how best to frame your application.

Everyone I know who works part time in a professional job was full time first.

I think you need to be realistic.

In the current job market there are far far more applicants than there are jobs, and they are likely to find someone who meets their criteria over someone who meets them but wants them to be flexible.

If they're advertising for someone full time I think you need to be open to the fact that they want full time and nothing less is likely to do.

I have done this. I waited until they offered me the (full-time) job and then discussed hours at the conversation you have when you discuss salary. I asked for 'reduced hours', which sounds much better than part time. I said my preference was three days. The organisation's director clearly would have been happy with four. We compromised on three plus one at home (the most I felt I could do). I was then in a weak postion when it came to negotiating the salary, as i'd got a good deal on the hours, but you can't have everything. It was also difficult becuase my direct line manager (I was negotiating with his manager) was not at all happy about it. But it's worked out just fine in practice.

I suggest offering a trial period to see houw it goes (they almost never remember to review it).

I was in the same position once, although it was 10 years ago and the job market was better then. The position was full time but I wanted part time (2.5 days per week). I applied and wrote in my supporting information section of the application form that I would ideally like part time/job share and told them of the advantages of this (ie they would have ME doing the job part of the time rather than not at all ),and I got offered the job on a part time basis, with the exact hours I wanted!

I always say if you don't ask you don't get. Or alternatively as someone else has suggested, apply and do the job full time if you get offered it, and then ask to reduce to part time/more flexible hours.

Good luck, let us know what you choose to do!

I think if your "best offer" is not a million miles away from full time (say 4 days a week, or three 9-5 days and two 9-3 days) then you should absolutely go for it and then negotiate at interview / if they offer you the job. Much harder if you are proposing a job share or 2-3 days a week. For the employer it could be a great chance to get a good candidate for a bit less money because they are only working, say 80% of the time.

Thanks. I think I will ask for 'reduced hours', once I've had the chance to make a good impression. Like Hex said, if you don't ask, you don't get. Good to know some of you have had a good outcome. I'll let you know how I get on....

Permanent isn't the opposite of part time, full time is. Permanent is the opposite of temporary.

But you can ask for whatever you want, if they want you they will work around you. If there is someone equally qualified though available for the times they want, your chances are slim.

Agree with wannaBe...you don't say what industry you're in, but if jobs come up so rarely that you're thinking of applying for one that doesn't fit your own criteria, then chances are there'll be plenty of interest in the role. You can always ask, but 'in this economic climate' I think you'd have to blow the other applicants out of the water to get it on your own terms. If it were me, I'd apply, go full time for a few months, then apply for part time hours. If that's no dice and full time was not feasible long term, I'd leave. Then at least you'd have a bit of recent experience under your belt, which can only help when you're applying for your next role.

I hope to god you have applied for the same job as me as Ive sone just that. Its full time but Ive applied and want 2 days a week.

I think you should be open at interview but be prepared to not get the job.

Scenario: a department was downsized 6 months ago and lost 25% of headcount. Two people have left, and the manager has fought tooth and nail to replace them, and has finally been allowed to recruit one full time head. If the manager recurits a part-time head they know that's 20% of a role they'll never get back.
Manager 1: will consider a part-time person because they interview a great candidate (OP, obvs!) and realise they can do more with less.
Manager 2: takes the view that holding that position as a full-time role is going to be better for their department in the longer term.

You aren't going to know which manager you get till you get them!

Of course the employer has the option of recruiting the top two candidates together, if they were agreeable to jobsharing. So they don't necessarily lose the full-time post.

Doubt a PT request will go down well at interview, in the current climate. Jobshare costs more than employing one person, and both candidates would need to be good.

I know a fair few people who started FT then managed to request PT after a certain amount of time, once they were in.

If it's a good opportunity, might be worth taking FT, short-term pain long-term gain etc.

How about compressed hours - ie full time hours and salary but spread over 4 days. Would mean 4 long days for you but they still get a full time equivalent

I like redwine's suggestion!

I like redwine's name! I know it's a terrible time to be asking for any favours from employers but I think I'm going to give it a go anyway. If they say no but are still offering the job, I can see what my gut feel is then. Thank you all for your advice and experiences. Fingers crossed, I get the job and can find a compromise in there somewhere....