I shouldn't apply for jobs with hours I don't want ...

[pleasejustgotosleep]

Hi all
I've been job hunting for ages. I see a few jobs that I'm interested in but a lot of them are full time and I can't afford full time nursery and after school club so would ideally want a part time post.

My point is. I have been told by quite a few people (even Jobcentre staff) to still apply for these jobs and if/when I get an interview or offer that I should say what hours I want to do and if they like me enough they will negotiate

IMO I don't feel comfortable doing this because I feel like Im wasting the recruiters time.

What do you think? Has that ever worked for you?

It’s common practice. You apply saying you want three days a week, someone else applies saying they want two days each week and the company sets up a job share. Almost all part-time jobs are jobs that have multiple staff doing the same job. As long as you don’t wait until you’re given an offer to suddenly drop in that you want part-time hours, you’re not wasting anyone’s time.

I think this would only work if you were willing to do ft in condensed hours or very nearly FT (e.g. 30 hours+) but I'd state that on the cover letter so you've not taken up a slot when no chance of it working.

Not to mention, if they don’t want to do a job share on that role, they may well have a part time opportunity opening up, see your application and offer you the other role to save the rigamarole of an entire application process for the part time role.

It’s very normal - but to avoid pissing people off let them know at application stage. If you’re good they’ll want to try to make it work.

Yep twice, worked both times and no-one was annoyed. First time they said this role had to be full time but then called me two weeks later to offer a job share. Second time they accepted 3.5 days.

Oh wow ok. Thank you. I never thought of it like that.
I feel a bit more confident in applying now.
I'm sat in front of the laptop about to apply and just thought oh gosh it's full time but I love the JD and want to apply.
Think I will now 😊

So glad you made this post, I’ve been wondering this too! Thanks OP, it’s so hard to know how to approach it.

Personally no I wouldn't apply for full-time roles if I wanted to work part-time. Why would you? What a complete waste of time it would be, for you and for everyone involved in selection and interview. What are the chances of someone else applying at the same time who also requests part-time hours which would fit with your hours! No, it would be pointless and a bit rude to apply for a full-time role when you want part-time.

I currently work part-time in a role which is not a job share. It was advertised as part-time as that's what it is.

My previous role was full-time, it was advertised as full-time as that's what the employer needed. It would not have worked well as a part-time role.

All my jobs I've negotiated my hours. I only wanted 4 days, and got it.

By that logic, no one in a full time role would ever be able to go part time either. Companies make it work, either by a job share or by sharing the work out a little differently. I started full time in my role, have dropped to part time after first DS and back to full time now. I may go part time again at some point. I have also just recruited, advertised as full time and ended up appointing one full time and one part time as they both had skills and I was able to persuade he managers to let me have an additional part timer. Apply as the worst they can say is no.

It's hard recruiting at the moment. If we had a strong candidate for almost any post? who wants PT hours we'd try to accommodate to get someone in.

Don't expect any concrete answers before interview though. If asked we'd say something waffly like it would be considered for the right candidate. We wouldn't really think about it until we know we want you .

I think you should stop looking at childcare costs as a barrier to working full time.
UC can provide help with childcare costs

my nursery fees are £680 but I only pay £540 because UC helps with that.
Once in the position for a while if you feel it isn’t working apply for flexible working to reduce your hours

Good luck OP with your job search.

I struggle with this too. I live in an area that still hates part timers and working women so it's generally frowned upon here :(

I was dismissed from an interview for a role that stated "part time applicants will be considered" as they actually only wanted FT.

And none of our countrywide recruitment agencies will help me find PT work because its embarrassing for them (their words, not mine!) And not worth the commission.

It's only like this here though. When I lived in London everything felt doable and flexible - even a decade ago x

Also our County Council only post full time work and when asked for part time hours - they revoke the job offer and say its not doable (I wanted to reduce 37 hours to 30)

😔

I've done it a few times and been able to negotiate hours.

I recently applied for a job even though it's the wrong time to change jobs (have a toddler and have goodwill credit in the bank in my current job if I need to leave early or something) and I'd take a pay cut. Also didn't think I'm qualified. Applied anyway as it's my in dream job.
I didn't get it but they offered me something much more suited to my situation instead (ad hoc extra hours I can fit around my current job at a really good hourly rate) so it's perfect. (And I was totally qualified, the ad was just worded weirdly.)

I applied for a full time job, asked about working three days when they offered me the job, three days wasn’t possible due to volume of work, so we agreed four days compressed into three and a half so I can two two school pick ups - it’s Definitely worth applying and asking

What hours within the park time sphere are you applying for?

Are you a single parent? How old is your youngest?

Depends on the job and the amount of full time, but I have applied for FT and taken eg a 30 hour week, and as hiring manager I’ve had candidates wanting part time. At the end of the day if the candidate is strong then it’s fine. I would be annoyed if anyone wanted to work less than about 0.8 FTE but at the same time I wouldn’t advertise part time unless I had no budget for FT as I would want as wide a pool of applicants as possible.

Happens all the time.
Absolutely not a thing wrong with it.

Negotiations about pay happen all the time too

Go for it. We advertise roles as full time (because that's what we really need) but good employees are hard to find, so if you had the experience and interviewed well we would definitely consider part-time.

My last 3 roles have all been advertised as full time and I have negotiated 4 days (not compressed). Not an issue at all. I also didn’t mention it until offered the role each time.
i do think it depends on how many hours you are looking for though, if it’s less than 0.8 then I would probably consider looking at more part time roles.

My current job was advertised as full time. I've been working part time in it for the last 4 years. It's quite common, especially now when employees should be allowing flexibility where possible to encourage inclusion.