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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Working at HMRC

40 replies

Fuzzywig · 02/12/2018 10:48

AIBU to attend an interview at HMRC knowing i can’t work the late shifts? The advert states not to apply if you can’t work until 10pm. It also says that part time would be considered.

I am a single parent with nobody who can help look after the kids.

Does anyone work there who can advise?

OP posts:
ScabbyBabby · 02/12/2018 10:50

You have nothing to lose by applying imo.

WinterfellWench · 02/12/2018 10:51

It does rather seem like a waste of their time - and yours... if you cannot work evenings, and they want you til 10pm.

Sorry, but what's the point? There must be other jobs that don't require late shifts.

Aldi and McDonalds and Asda offer decent working hours. Or do you want admin? Maybe try land registry or the local council?

WinterfellWench · 02/12/2018 10:53

Although, as the pp above me said, you could try and see if you could put an application in (a cv maybe) in case a daytime job does come up.

I can't see any point in applying for an evening one when you categorically cannot work evenings though. Sorry...

AlexaShutUp · 02/12/2018 10:54

The advert states not to apply if you can’t work until 10pm.

I think this is your answer, sorry. Why waste your time and theirs?

There must be other jobs that you could look at. Why do you particularly want to work at HMRC?

SemperIdem · 02/12/2018 10:54

There’s no point in applying for a job you know you can’t work the hours for. Just keep an eye out for a role at HMRC which is more suited to your needs.

flowery · 02/12/2018 10:57

”The advert states not to apply if you can’t work until 10pm”

I’m confused, if they are that clear about what they need as a minimum and you can’t fulfil that, why waste their time and yours applying?

Aridane · 02/12/2018 11:00

You are wasting everyone’s time)unless you are going for interview practice)

SandyY2K · 02/12/2018 11:00

Why apply if you can't work lates? It's a waste of the interviewers time.

I work in HR and I can't fathom why people apply for a job in such circumstances.

I actually question their ability to comprehend... when they suddenly say...I can't travel.....or I can't work weekends... when the role clearly needs that.

Find a job that fits in with your availability.

ChodeofChodeHall · 02/12/2018 11:00

Why are you applying if you won't be able to actually do the job?

WeeM · 02/12/2018 11:04

Some departments of hmrc require weekend working and late shifts and they stipulate this in the advert from the outset so people are aware. I wouldn’t waste your time or theirs. Something else may come up in a different dept with more office hours-register for the civil service job alerts if you haven’t already.

Original poster
Fuzzywig · 02/12/2018 11:07

I have already applied Winter. I have passed the sifting process I.e. application, personal statement, English and maths test. The next stage is the interview high is next week.

I have worked in admin 30 years and I have a disability which restricts the kind of work I can do. Problems affecting one side of my body.. no lifting for example.

I am currently unemployed after being made redundant and would like to work civil service or NHS. Job Centre are aware of the interview and I have discussed it with them and being pushed to attend.

I applied and didn’t read the full job description until offered the interview. I don’t have a computer at home so applied in the library, did the tests immediately after the application, you have one hourslots to use the computer I have an iPad so read the JD afterwards.

It does sound like a waste of time. I need to withdraw I thought it might have been workable as a job share. Ah well never mind.

Thanks everyone for the advice given.

OP posts:
Dockray · 02/12/2018 11:08

HMRC will have hundreds, if not thousands of applicants for its jobs. Even if you aced the interview they will shrug their shoulders and go to the next person on the list if you turn round and say you can't work the hours specified in the job advert.

It is a waste of taxpayers money taking an interview slot when you know you can't do the required hours. Not to mention that you'd be potentially taking an interview slot from someone who could do the job.

Original poster
Fuzzywig · 02/12/2018 11:09

Interview high lol..... should be interview which is next week lol.

OP posts:
PandaWhere · 02/12/2018 11:12

How old are your children? Could you pay a babysitter? Surely even with that expense, your earn more being paid than not paid. Then apply internally for a move later on?

Poppet1974 · 02/12/2018 11:14

I would definitely go to the interview, I went to a similar interview which indicated that I may have to work weekends....
Got the job and have never had to work a weekend.
The Civil Service is a great place to work, very flexible and family friendly. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Good luck 😀

redsummershoes · 02/12/2018 11:14

can you do anything about the childcare for the hours?
just getting at it from another angle.
would the job pay well, so that you could afford an au pair for example to cover those hours that are not by conventional childcare?

Original poster
Fuzzywig · 02/12/2018 11:15

Hi Panda 10 & 12. Yep it’s possible i’d rather be in work than not. It’s not as though it’s till 10 every night.

OP posts:
mostdays · 02/12/2018 11:16

If the ad says you must be able to work until 10pm and you cannot work until 10pm then yes, ywbu to apply.

Original poster
Fuzzywig · 02/12/2018 11:17

Aaaagggghhhh my heads in a spin again.

I think I need to go and see how it actually pans out. The shift could be once a month. If I am really lucky their Dad could look after them (although he’s a selfish pig and hates me and like to make my life as difficult as possible).

OP posts:
takemetomars · 02/12/2018 11:18

Go to the interview FGS!!

CoughLaughFart · 02/12/2018 11:21

I can’t drive. Therefore I don’t apply for jobs requiring a driving licence.

Nothing to get ‘in a spin’ about.

Alfie190 · 02/12/2018 11:25

I think you should withdraw your application, they are very clear that you need to be able to work late evenings. Not fair on other staff if you think you should be exempt from this requirement.

redsummershoes · 02/12/2018 11:27

at those ages a sleepover at friends might be a possibility.
or even a 'normal' babysitter. especially as it's not every night.

Lintu · 02/12/2018 11:40

Good idea to go to the interview.

You'll get a feel for if that role is a good fit for you. You can decide after the interview, if you are offered a role, whether it is one you can take up.

And for all the people saying "why did you apply?" - because the op wants a job and this matches all the other criteria. I used to be frustrated job hunting by adverts saying "some travel" which varied from mandatory six month stints on another continent (not ok) to going to another company site about once a year (perfectly fine) and everything inbetween. I had no way of knowing before applying what the advert meant. and before anybody suggests I could have asked the company, these were often jobs advertised through agencies so I knew the role but not the company. In the same way that the op has no way of knowing exactly what working until 10 means.

Good luck Fuzzywig! I hope you're successful!

silvercuckoo · 02/12/2018 11:45

Go for the interview. They may require you to be able to work until 10 pm, but only during the high season / on particular days. Similar to "able to travel" ads, where travel in question could turn out to be annually or quarterly.
I took a job which specified 25% travel (also a single parent to two small children with little support). From my knowledge of the industry, I thought it to be a massive exaggeration. In four months since I joined there was zero travel required.