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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:
AlexaShutUp · 13/01/2022 00:31

I'd be pissed off if you wasted my time too, I'm afraid. If a job can be done as a job share or part time, I will advertise it as such. If it is advertised as full time, then that's what I'm looking for.

I would feel the same about a candidate who tried to negotiate outside the advertised salary range as well. The range available is what I have advertised, so if that isn't enough, don't bother.

ChuckGarabedian · 13/01/2022 00:48

I don’t think there’s any harm in putting it this way: “is there any scope for part-time hours in this role?” I asked a prospective employer something similar recently and this was his reply: “While the role being replaced is a full time position, that would not necessarily rule out part time work; this is a key role within [organisation name] and I think all things can be considered in our search for the right person for the job.”

ChuckGarabedian · 13/01/2022 00:51

Just to note the above was when making an initial inquiry about the role rather than at interview.

Caulidop · 13/01/2022 01:03

Who's the post with OP? Or a rough idea?

tapeandglue · 13/01/2022 01:17

I think it depends on the nature of the job and what the market is like.

In my line of work, job sharing just isn't suitable. So you'd be asking for reduced hours, and we're recruiting because we're crazy busy right now. I wouldn't entertain a request for part-time hours because there are lots of candidates on the market, and we need full-time hours.

I'd find a normal part-time request this far into the process to be a waste of my time. I suppose I might consider reduced hours at certain times of the year, because workload isn't even, but I need someone to do full-time most months.

I guess I'd entertain the question, 'is there flexibility to reduce my hours outside of the busy period, to accommodate both business need and my own circumstances?' I mean, if that works for you, I'd listen, but I imagine it might not make planning childcare very easy.

WomanStanleyWoman · 13/01/2022 01:38

Tbh I think your thinking is quite outdated - the world has moved on and flexibility is a massive thing now. If you don't move with the times you won't get the best out of your staff.

Then I don’t really know why you bothered asking ‘AIBU?’ You clearly think you’re being perfectly reasonable, so crack on.

backtolifebacktoreality · 13/01/2022 01:40

I'd be annoyed if you asked at,
or following, the interview as it would be a waste of my time.

Email them through your CV upfront and ask if they would be prepared to consider you on a part time basis.

worriedatthemoment · 13/01/2022 01:58

I think you are wasting their time of you ask at interview
Ringing and asking beforehand fair enough
Many jobs will say if they will consider a job share or flexible working or reduced hours in the contract
If someone advertises for full time then thats what they generally want

worriedatthemoment · 13/01/2022 02:06

Op its not free to a company hiring do you think the person interviewing is doing it for free, they may of paid an agency or for an advert and someone has had to troll through the cv's
Time is money

Aprilx · 13/01/2022 02:08

@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 am another that agrees with this.

I guess of the two options you have given, I would rather you mention it at interview so at least it minimises how much of my time you waste and doesn’t rule out a candidate that wants the job and hours I am hiring for.

twominutesmore · 13/01/2022 05:08

You used to be a manager in recruitment but don't know how to ask for part time hours?

You have a better chance asking earlier in the process imo. Once they've whittled it down to five people for interview, the chance of finding a job share is reduced.

I don't think there's any harm in asking early in the process or at least framing it as 'I would consider part time..' so that others saying the same can be kept in the mix.

Policyschmolicy · 13/01/2022 06:52

I always wait until offer. I figure it’s part of a salary/terms negotiation, and it’s best to wait until they know they want you. But I also think that if you want part time hours from a full time advert you’ll probably be successful at 80% FTE or above or some kind of compressed arrangement.

AlexaShutUp · 13/01/2022 07:07

Asking at an early stage in the process is fine. Waiting until interview in the hope that you can "hook" them is annoying and delusional.

If they're willing and able to consider it, then they will tell you that of you ask at an early stage in the process. Most employers will be keen not to put off good prospective candidates without good cause. If they aren't willing or able to consider it, it's unlikely that you'll convince them by being so wonderful that they can't refuse.

drpet49 · 13/01/2022 07:13

You used to be a manager in recruitment but don't know how to ask for part time hours?

^Must be a joke

twominutesmore · 13/01/2022 07:19

@drpet49

*You used to be a manager in recruitment but don't know how to ask for part time hours?*

^Must be a joke

It wasn't a joke. OP said she's worked as a manager and been responsible for recruiting. So I'm surprised she doesn't know the etiquette or best way to ask about part time hours without annoying those recruiting.
rwalker · 13/01/2022 07:24

@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'm with you You spend loads of time and money interviewing and selecting . Then to be told they never wanted what was on offer . 2 members of staff cost more than 1.
RedpepperRisotto · 13/01/2022 07:26

The roles I'm currently recruiting for are all full time and I make that clear in the interview so the candidate understands. At that point they have the opportunity to say if this does or doesn't suit. If I offer and then they ask for part time hours , it's a no.
They can make a flexible working request 6 months in, which is their legal right but it's a Senior role and they need a full time 6 months to have a chance at learning the role and being successful.

WayneBruce · 13/01/2022 07:27

You say PT but then mention 4 / 9 day working patterns which are still full time. Even 30 hours is more palatable to employers (but be aware you could still be given a 37 hour workload).
To me that's really different to someone wanting 2.5 days a week so I would ask about flexible working at interview.

FindingMeno · 13/01/2022 07:28

I asked for different ( but not less) hours at interview to fit childcare needs and got the job.
It depends on whether the job is a complete no go if it doesn't meet your needs, and how confident you are that you have something to offer.
I don't see the point in wasting everyone's time by not being honest. They'll either accommodate you or they won't.

popppi · 13/01/2022 07:29

I asked at the time of job offer and it wasn't an issue Smile

Bananadobana · 13/01/2022 07:34

You are coming across as entitled and petulant
I too would be annoyed if you wasted my time. I know if my business needs someone full or part time. Not everyone can afford the luxury of working part time. Suck it up and don’t expect employers to create a job that suits your needs not their business needs just because it is what you want and there are no part time jobs out there good enough for you.

Say in your application, and if invited to interview then outline more. If you are hiding it to offer you obviously k is it is a move. It could be welcomed and a positive thing by some employers who have another candidate looking for a job share but they can’t put those pieces together if you are sly with it.
Don’t pull the flexibility/wfh/wlb card post covid.. these things legally exist for a reason and are brilliant. Anyone who is fixated on them to give a reason to make a business bend fo their lifestyle looks workshy

AlexaShutUp · 13/01/2022 07:34

@WayneBruce

You say PT but then mention 4 / 9 day working patterns which are still full time. Even 30 hours is more palatable to employers (but be aware you could still be given a 37 hour workload). To me that's really different to someone wanting 2.5 days a week so I would ask about flexible working at interview.
I disagree that employers are more likely to agree to a 4 day week than 2.5 days.

If the job could be done in 4 days, we would probably advertise it as such. No point in paying for an extra day if it isn't needed We'd be happy to consider compressed hours for most roles, but that's different.

The problem with 4 days if it is 5 days work is that you'll never find someone to do the other 1 day a week. Whereas it might be possible to find someone else to do 2.5 days a week so that it could be done as a job share. Consequently, I'd be more inclined to agree to the latter.

Iamnotamermaid · 13/01/2022 07:36

Maybe you could ask about flexible working options.. would that work for you?

camperqueen54 · 13/01/2022 07:39

I would be annoyed. The other staff have additional pressure on them when there are vacancies. Then you get some clown wanting to get their foot in the door by making out they want full time when they have no intention of working full time.

Isntitironic1 · 13/01/2022 07:40

To those saying she’s wasting the employers time, sometimes employers actually prefer to have to part timers job share a role than one full time. I would explain the benefits of a job share to the employer.