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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To apply for a full time job on a part time basis?

13 replies

MissyCooper · 18/12/2018 00:33

I need, NEED to get out of my current job. It’s awful.

The issue is that I am part time at three days a week. I have two small children.

Hardly any jobs round here just now and I’m slightly desperate. One has come up but it’s full time.

WIBU to apply anyway? Should I be honest from the covering letter that I’m looking for three days? Has anyone done this with any success?

OP posts:

FruHagen · 18/12/2018 00:45

Am in same boat. Looking forward to seeing some replies

I think in my case they'll say it's not possible with this role.

busybarbara · 18/12/2018 00:50

Yes as an employer it's always worth a try as the right person for the "wrong" hours is still better than the opposite. Also some business advertise full time because they assume that's what people want but they might be happier to spend less

Terramirabilis · 18/12/2018 00:50

I would apply if I thought there was some realistic prospect of them being interested in 3 days a week. (Not sure if you can determine this from the ad.) I wouldn't put it in the letter. I'd let them get interested in me first and not put them off. Then ask later if I actually got somewhere in the recruitment process.

I would want to have some kind of ideas of how to get it to work. If they want full time and you're proposing part time how would it work? Do they accept longer timelines on things? Do you agree to do more hours during the busy season if there is one? Do you propose a job share?

If you have reason to know it couldn't be part-time, then obviously don't waste your time and theirs.

Original poster

MissyCooper · 18/12/2018 00:51

I don’t know. What I would say is that I’m happy to work from home in the evenings to make up any shortfall or work late when required to do so etc.

OP posts:

ifeellikeanidiot · 18/12/2018 00:51

Def worth a shot. I did that with my current role, advertised as ft and i managed to get it pt.

Terramirabilis · 18/12/2018 00:57

The more I think about it, the more I think don't say anything in the letter. Don't give them reasons not to hire you. Also, if you do get the job and the part-time hours make sure you get the hours done (I'm sure you would) or you'll stop anyone else getting the same benefit in future and even jeopardize it for yourself.

garethsouthgatesmrs · 18/12/2018 00:58

i recently did this and got the job. Turned out the person I replaced worked three days but they had capacity to replace with full time.

garethsouthgatesmrs · 18/12/2018 01:00

*I work in secondary schools thoigh so there wasn't exactly a large field of candidates!

Original poster

MissyCooper · 18/12/2018 01:03

Oh I do. My current workload is more than full time and I’m on my knees.

OP posts:

DarklyDreamingDexter · 18/12/2018 01:06

Worth a go. Maybe they'd consider a job share with someone else?

SE13Mummy · 18/12/2018 01:25

My last couple of jobs were advertised as full-time but I applied for them even though I wanted to work 4 days per week. I've always been upfront about the fact I've worked 4 days since returning from maternity leave in 2005 and my employment history shows this too. In the supporting statement, I include a line stating that I currently work 4 days per week and would like to continue to do so if possible.

Interestingly, this is often overlooked and in my most recent interview, the interviewer seemed genuinely surprised that he was interviewing someone who wanted to do anything less than full-time. I pointed out that I'd been very open about it in my application, that I'd found out that the team already had a number of people working 3 days and that as it was the third time this post had been advertised, it might be a case of choosing between 100% of nobody or 80% of a very experienced person who really wanted the role. It was a bit cheeky but had the interviewer read my application properly, I wouldn't have had an interview!

Based on my experience, I'd encourage you to apply but would suggest you include something about your desire to work 3 days so you can't be accused of wasting anyone's time.

hooveringhamabeads · 18/12/2018 01:36

One of my lecturers at uni said that it’s far better to just take a full time job with full time hours, and then once you have your feet under the table and proved your worth, try to negotiate for part time hours.

PenelopeFlintstone · 18/12/2018 01:44

My next door neighbour has just done exactly this. Applied for a 5 day Teacher's Aid position but said she could only do 3 days. She got her 3 days. I don't know whether they employed someone else for the other two days, but she definitely got her three.

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