Should I say when I submit CV or wait until I get an interview?

[Lallyhead87]

I'm applying for a job which starts at 9am but I can't start until 915am, nothing I can do about this.
Should I say nothing and if I get an interview say it then or submit CV but address it straightaway and then I'm not wasting anyone's time?

Will you never be able to start at 9.00 or is it temporary? Why can't you start earlier?

Why are you applying for a job with a start time you can't actually do?

Submit your CV, go for the interview if you get one, if you're the best candidate and they want you there may be some flexibility. If you don't ask, you don't get.

I think it depends on the type of job.

Is it possible to contact the company to discuss the job before you apply?

You could find out if they would absolutely need someone there at 9:00 or if they can be flexible for the right candidate.

Then you won't risk wasting your or their time for a job you wouldn't be able to accept.

Yeah I agree with this. Speak to them in advance, if the hours are set then it would be a waste of everyone’s time going through the application/interview.

If you really can't change the start time, I would bring it up when you're offered the job, and before you say yes, as that's when you have the most leverage. Don't forget to tell them you will also finish 15 minutes later each day too, so they know you're not taking the piss.

I'd be fine with this for my team, but I can see why it wouldn't work (eg a shop that needs to open at a certain time). I'd ask before hand. Doing so at interview risks pissing them off, when in fact they might be able to make it work with a bit of flexibility.

Depends on the job. If it’s not key, I wouldn’t say anything until I got an offer.

This.

If it's a cafe, and you're the only server and it opens at 9, it's a bit different to an office job at a huge company where most will have differing start times.

It really depends on the job doesn't it.
I suppose an air traffic controller or ambulance dispatcher who can't start on exactly on time would cause more problems than someone who can make the time up by staying 15 minutes later in the evening.

It is in a creche which has different start times obviously ideally they would have someone starting at 9 but I'm not sure if 915 would work. Think I'll ask before interview.

Apply but if you're offered an interview mention it.

I would have thought that with childcare ratios they wouldn’t have any flexibility on staff numbers, but it’s worth asking the question.

definitely raise if offered an interested rather than wait till offer. It’s a PITA when people do that.

Is it because you need to take your children to school before work?
I have to put ds in breakfast club at it clashes with my t.a job

So apply, don't mention on application but if offered an interview say it then, before the interview?

Write a cover letter outlining why you think you'd be a great for for the job and state that you are seeking the post with hours of 9.15-5.15 (for example). Then you have been clear upfront and they can either then interview you, call to discuss if you could possibly doe eg 9am 2 days a week or whatever, or reject you without wasting everyone's time if 9am starts are an absolute.

It would really depend on the job, if its a customer facing role, on the phones etc I wouldn't expect them to accommodate that and I would check first.

My current role was advertised as full time but I negotiated 4 days a week and they accepted so its possible.

Does the company have a flexible working policy, or is flexible working mentioned on the job spec or advert?

If it's a crèche, contact them to ask before applying. It may be the case that they have to have someone there for 9 otherwise they don't meet ratios, and if that's not something that they can flex on it'd be a waste of time. Some jobs are more flexible than others

Yes I would. Otherwise you're having a dishonest interview knowing you can't take the job.

If it's a creche I wouldn't bother. Legally they have to have a certain amount of staff per child at 9.00. They can't have parents waiting outside until you arrive a 9.15, to up the ratio.

Just had this exact scenario with an interviewee. They didn't mention it until I was offering the role, and tbh that's probably the best way to go, as by the time it was being offered we were already invested in the person and knew they were better than the alternatives.

If the person had mentioned it sooner I doubt we would have interviewed them, plus the way the interview process works makes it hard for people to get in touch in advance.

This is an excellent reply!

Wait till you're offered the job. It will just put them off you if you mention it before.