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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask this at an interview?

196 replies

FriendshipsAreHardForMe · 12/01/2022 19:55

I have an interview coming up for a full time position (37hrs).

I'd ideally like to work part-time but was finding the right opportunity hard to come by so decided to apply to some full-time positions in hopes to negotiate down.

Anyway.... In terms of asking them if they'd consider me working part time...

Am I being unreasonable to not say anything about hours until I receive a job offer (if I do of course)? So as not to put them off too quickly. But maybe they'd be annoyed I've potentially wasted their time.

YANBU - wait until job offer to ask for P/T
YABU - mention P/T hours at the interview

Thanks 😊

OP posts:
NavigatingAdolescence · 12/01/2022 20:01

Wait for the offer.

You aren’t legally entitled to request it until you’ve worked for them for 26 weeks but you never know.

JazzHandsYeah · 12/01/2022 20:03

If the role is advertised as FT, how would you propose the company fulfil the job criteria on a part time basis?
I don’t think you’re unreasonable to want to ask, but if I was interviewing you, that question would ensure you didn’t get through to the next round.

Original poster
FriendshipsAreHardForMe · 12/01/2022 20:07

@JazzHandsYeah

If the role is advertised as FT, how would you propose the company fulfil the job criteria on a part time basis? I don’t think you’re unreasonable to want to ask, but if I was interviewing you, that question would ensure you didn’t get through to the next round.
Well, that's why I'm aware it may not work for them.

Equally though, they may think it's possible for the right candidate. Or they may consider a job share. Or 4 long days. 9 day fortnight. Who knows.

Im hesitant as I realise it's a big ask but I've heard of people doing it successfully.

OP posts:
Mooey89 · 12/01/2022 20:09

I’ve done it.
Usually I email in advance or in informal chat and ask if they would consider 30 hours/flexible. That way you know in advance if it’s a hard no and nobody gets their time wasted.

Or wow them at interview and ask at the end whether there is flexibility.
I’ve only ever been told no once and then I took the post and negotiated it down to 30 hours after 6 months.

I do work in social care though which is potentially more flexible I guess.

museumum · 12/01/2022 20:11

I think if you’re willing to consider compressed hours as you mention then that’s perfectly reasonable and yes I’d ask something about working patterns / flexibility etc.

if you actually want fewer hours it’s more tricky. You are in no position to suggest the role can be done p/t as you don’t know it.

Original poster
FriendshipsAreHardForMe · 12/01/2022 20:15

@Mooey89

I’ve done it. Usually I email in advance or in informal chat and ask if they would consider 30 hours/flexible. That way you know in advance if it’s a hard no and nobody gets their time wasted.

Or wow them at interview and ask at the end whether there is flexibility.
I’ve only ever been told no once and then I took the post and negotiated it down to 30 hours after 6 months.

I do work in social care though which is potentially more flexible I guess.

Re the example you gave where they initially said no, then reduced after 6 months... Did you ask in the interview? If so, how did you style it out to still get an offer?

I worry if I mention it in interview, and they aren't initially open to it, they may reject me on that basis. Rather than then come back with a full time offer (which I may still take)

OP posts:
Graphista · 12/01/2022 20:20

I've been on hiring side of things - I'd be annoyed you'd wasted my time to be honest. If you want part time apply for part time roles!

CurtainTroubles · 12/01/2022 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

Mooey89 · 12/01/2022 20:24

I guess it was a job I was very qualified for, I did well at interview, and I phrased it as ‘I am currently working x hours over this pattern. Ideally I’d like to match that in this role. Previously I have minimised the impact on business need by [insert mitigation to business here] is this something you are able to offer?

He then said, no, because I can’t recruit 1 day per week and don’t have anyone who would job share.
I said regardless I am very keen to join the organisation, I really like the ethos and the exciting challenges they foresee (blag blag) and if successful would work out childcare for full time hours.

Take the job, show you are indispensable, make a business case to reduction.

Like I said though, I’m a social worker with a lot of experience and there’s a deficit in people to fill the roles so am at an advantage x

CurtainTroubles · 12/01/2022 20:25

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

Original poster
FriendshipsAreHardForMe · 12/01/2022 20:27

@Graphista

I've been on hiring side of things - I'd be annoyed you'd wasted my time to be honest. If you want part time apply for part time roles!
You obviously don't realise how hard it is to find a decent part time job. I don't blame you if you've never had to look for one, but they're very hard to come by.

I have actually been successful in the past and in that situation I asked in the interview but only because it came up and I didn't want to be disingenuous.

It's a bit sad you'd feel someone wasted your time. Rather, see it that they really want the job and are hoping you may like them enough to take a punt (where possible).

Lots of employers don't offer P/T just because it's the norm to offer F/T. In previous jobs we didn't even consider posting adverts for flexible working, which in hindsight, knowing what I know now, is a shame as there's a lot of women out there who would be amazing if given the opportunity (I saw women because unfortunately it's us who often get pushed out of work due to lack of PT jobs).

OP posts:
XiCi · 12/01/2022 20:28

@Graphista

I've been on hiring side of things - I'd be annoyed you'd wasted my time to be honest. If you want part time apply for part time roles!
Me too. If the role was part time it would be advertised as such. I'd be annoyed that a candidate that actually could fulfil the role had not been shortlisted because you had not been honest. A waste of everyone's time.
NewYearCalavicci · 12/01/2022 20:31

@Graphista

I've been on hiring side of things - I'd be annoyed you'd wasted my time to be honest. If you want part time apply for part time roles!
I agree with this , while it would be ok to email the company before hand to ask of the hours can be changed once you have got to the interview stage they will of gone through 100s of applications and whittled it down to potentials , then gone through them again to weed out any that seemed not quite right for the role then you turn up and say I would like the job but I don't like the hours can you change them for me .

I don't think people applying for jobs always realise what goes into the hiring process, reading CV's and cover letters ( and discarding any where people have obviously C&P from other applications so the letter doesn't match the job at all ) doing back ground checks , in my case enhanced DBS , checking on line profiles
Then arranging phone interviews , then face to face interviews.
If I got to the face to face and then some one said they want to do different hours I would be mighty pissed of and there application would be filed in the bin .

XiCi · 12/01/2022 20:33

What sort of job is it? Have you researched companies in your field that offer flexible working patterns? They might suit you better.
When I was younger I worked in the civil service for a bit and they were good with term time working/part time etc

Pumasonsatsumas · 12/01/2022 20:41

I'd sound then out at interview - ask do they offer flexible working. Then if they seem receptive you can say you'd be interested in how this role might work on a 9 day contact, or compressed hours. It depends how many hours you're after - if three days for a five day role that's tricky, but I think more than that you can put it out there

HairyScaryMonster · 12/01/2022 20:55

Assuming you'll take the job if offered and not jump ship if something pt came along, wait til after offer. Or focus on public sector etc if appropriate as they usually say they'll accept flexible working/PT etc.

Hairyfriend · 12/01/2022 20:58

I started a new job recently- advertised as full time. At interview, they asked whether I was looking for full or part time. I wanted full time, and assumed if I'd said part time, I'd be at a disadvantage. As it turned out, the entire rest of the team are part-time, except for me and 1 other! Shock

I depends on the job role, flexibility and if say 30hrs a week would still cover their core business. They 'might' ask at interview stage.

I too know the annoyance with finding new staff. Generally, you are already short staffed within the team, then the amount of time to advertise, review CV's, schedule interviews etc can be exhausting. Esp whilst also trying to do your regular role in addition to the above. In saying that, I have offered part time when asked, where the candidate could demonstrate how the business could benefit and what they could bring to the team.

FuryPleury · 12/01/2022 21:05

I was in that position a few months ago and got the job. Immediately asked for part time (4 days) but I was confident that it was a flexible organisation and if necessary I could prove I had been doing my current job part time successfully.

Ask when/ if they offer and not before.

WalkingOnSonshine · 12/01/2022 21:11

I asked the internal recruiter at the stage at which I’d got the interview, but before interviewing.

I knew that the company were looking to bring more women into a male-dominated industry & were heavily advertising themselves as family-friendly. That’s how I phrased my proposal to do 4 days.

TeaAndBrie · 12/01/2022 21:15

If you accept the job offer you are accepting the hours of that vacancy. Definitely discuss it at interview at the end. Have an idea of how many hours you would like to do and ensure you emphasis that you’re willing to be flexible to service need. Also be aware that most people want a Friday off if they’re part time do consider other weekdays too.
Ultimately if you’re not honest then they can withdraw the job offer, they hold the power not you at this stage. The volume of applications is high so employers often have a choice of suitable candidates

ChrimboGateauxCatto · 12/01/2022 21:18

@Mooey89

I’ve done it. Usually I email in advance or in informal chat and ask if they would consider 30 hours/flexible. That way you know in advance if it’s a hard no and nobody gets their time wasted.

Or wow them at interview and ask at the end whether there is flexibility.
I’ve only ever been told no once and then I took the post and negotiated it down to 30 hours after 6 months.

I do work in social care though which is potentially more flexible I guess.

This is how to do. Informally prior to applying.
piratehugs · 12/01/2022 21:18

I'm struggling to hire the right person for a role at the moment and if someone who was a good fit came along and wanted to work 4 days, I'd snap them up.

grapewine · 12/01/2022 21:21

@Graphista

I've been on hiring side of things - I'd be annoyed you'd wasted my time to be honest. If you want part time apply for part time roles!
Same. It's annoying.
Forrandomposts · 12/01/2022 21:21

Tell them in advance or discuss it in interview. I'd be possessed did someone waited till offer to do so as it wastes time if I can't be flexible. And often I can't - it's being offered as a full time role for a reason

katieg03 · 12/01/2022 21:24

I have recruited a lot. This wouldn't put me off a person asking the question but to advertise a job then request a job share is a pain in the back side. Recruitment is expensive in time etc. Having flexibility with hours is totally different. Many organisations now are looking at flexible and hybrid working. If it's 37 hours and you want to do 20. That's a bit of a waste of people's times really. It it's 37 and you want to work Compressed working week that's different. I'd be more inclined to agree to the latter depending on the role..