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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To apply for a job knowing I can't do full time hours?

35 replies

LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:41

Background: I am currently on maternity leave and looking to return to work. Previously I have worked in a general role with specialist responsibilities. I am looking to move into just that specialism but I need to get a professional qualification but to get that qualification I have to be working in the industry. My current employer has not behaved very well whilst I've been on leave and any job would mean a 2 hour daily commute.

I have seen a local entry level job which I am over qualified for. They are attractive because they are a civil service off shoot, have investor in people credentials and boast about their fantastic training and development opportunities. They also have an employee profile of someone on the site who they are sponsoring to do the qualification I need.

My problem is the salary for this role is not very much and would mean with childcare costs I would be making a loss if I did the role full time. If I did the role part time I would just about break even and could get qualified and then apply for roles where the salary would actually leave me with a little bit of money after childcare costs.

I enquired under my married name if they would be prepared to consider part time workers to fill the vacancies. They said no. They want 2 full time people and would not consider recruiting 3 people (for example) to fill the hours. Tbh the person I spoke to didn't seem to understand what I was suggesting (I think she thought I meant they might recruit 1 ft, 1 pt instead of 2 ft ) and said the HR manager would ring me... but she didn't and I called back to be told the HR manager only wants 2 full timers

So, am I being unreasonable to apply for the job in my maiden name (which I do use for work atm) and see what happens? I wouldn't bother except local jobs in this specialty don't come up very often and they are already recruiting 2 people any way so 1 f/t in the office all the time would give continuity and I would need very little training as currently do a much more senior job.

OP posts:
LetThereBeRock · 22/01/2010 13:44

If they only want two full timers and if that's what the job requires then how can you possibly take the job then say you're only able to do part time?

ajandjjmum · 22/01/2010 13:46

Seems like you would be wasting everyone's time, including your own.

DebiNewberry · 22/01/2010 13:46

What difference does it make Married/Maiden name?? I don't understand.

If you are applying for a full-time job WITH somebody else to make up a job-share, you might manage it. Possibly. But, surely this is a waste of time - you'll apply for it, not mention the hours, possibly you get it, ask for the hours. They say no (why should they say yes?), and go to the next person on the list.

I think I must have missed something!

PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2010 13:48

I suspect they've advertised for two f/t people because they want two f/t people.

Fleecy · 22/01/2010 13:49

Could you do compressed hours? So work full-time but over four days? My friend did this - but she did mention it to them before she interviewed and they were happy with it.

Sassybeast · 22/01/2010 13:49

You have clarified that they need someone to do the job full time ? And you think you should still go ahead and apply even though you can only do part time ? YABU.

Mongolia · 22/01/2010 13:50

unless you are slight;y considering the possibility of working full time, it is waste of time for everyone involved.

However, if you really want that training and workin in that area, perhaps is worth it to do it full time (if the pay is bad you may get the childcare element of tax credits that may hep pay for those costs)

heQet · 22/01/2010 13:50

You could certainly apply, if you get an interview, explain in person.

they'll probably say no, but you'll have only wasted an hour of their time and yours and at least you'll know.

And they may say yes, if you are really fantastic and they think you're worth hiring.

Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:51

They know how I am with my married name. Wouldn't know who I am with maiden.

I am proposing they consider taking 2 of us on to make up the full time hours between us.

They have 70 hours a week to fill and are offering just 2 vacancies at 35 hours a week when they could reasonable consider filling those hours with 2 or 3 people.

They don't even want to consider this which when I've been a recruiting manager is something we've always done to get the best people for the role.

I am annoyed they won't even consider it after trumpting how fanstic they are at equal opportunities etc.

And yes, wasting my time is my concern.

OP posts:
LoveMyGirls · 22/01/2010 13:52

If you need this qulaification but can't do it without being in the job then can't you just see it as getting paid whilst gaining a qualification, it won't quite cover your costs but in the long term you will gain more? Have you checked if they have a childcare voucher scheme and if working famillies tax can help you?

heQet · 22/01/2010 13:52

Then go for an interview (if offered after you apply) and put it to them in person.

Lay out the benefits to them of employing 3, not 2.

Sell yourself.

The worst they can say is no.

Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:53

They don't need 2 people, they need 70 hours a week covered (IYSWIM)

If this was a top job with management responsibilities then I could understand a little bit more why less people makes things easier. But it's admin

OP posts:
Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:54

heQet that is what I was thinking of doing - selling myself at interview.

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 22/01/2010 13:54

But if they know who you are under your married name... won't they know who you are when you turn up for interview and see you in person?

I think maybe you need to talk to someone properly about your proposal before you just come out with it at the interview. Someone in the department rather than HR...

CirrhosisByTheSea · 22/01/2010 13:57

I think they are hardly a shining example of an 'investors in people' employer if they have never even heard of, and won't consider a job share arrangement......as you've said yourself LazyJ, this often helps get good people for the job. I think there is evidence out there IIRC that job shares are seen as a very productive and successful way of filling posts

Personally, I would apply. Why not give yourself a chance, and them the chance of having a good worker? If offered, you can say that you have considered all your options and find yourself unable to offer full time but happy to do compressed hours/job share and see what they think. If they really want you they should be open to offers, imo.

Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:57

PuppyMonkey They only know my married name and telephone number. They haven't seen me.

It is HR I am applying for...

Thanks every one for your replies. Very helpful and appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 13:59

Cirrhosis you've posted what I was trying to say

I will admit to being very hacked off that they won't even consider it.

OP posts:
CirrhosisByTheSea · 22/01/2010 14:02

go for it, what have you got to lose? Don't worry about timewasting in terms of them - you won't even get an interview unless you are very suitable for the job anyway so they are not wasting time in seeing you; if it is 'wasted' it is only because of their approach, anyway, not something you are 'doing' to them.

good luck, hope you get it

Just by the by have you checked your local council's website? They seem to me to often list HR vacancies and councils really DO have flexible working policies!

Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 14:06

Yes checking local council sites. I'm in London so lots of councils nearby. Not much coming up in my specialty atm though.

This is a civil service department I've applied for btw and they say they have all the similar policies... but apparently not judging by this!

OP posts:
MumNWLondon · 22/01/2010 14:08

Apply by all means but it sounds as though they are not prepared to consider part time workers, so unless you are prepared to work full time (at least at the start) then not any point....

Once you have been there 6 months you can then ask to work part time and they have to try to accomodate.

cat64 · 22/01/2010 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LazyJourno · 22/01/2010 15:06

The woman on the phone did say "we've had loads of applications" in a really snotty way (before I'd even asked anything). I thought "well I'll just feck off then!"

I think I will apply and see what happens. Worst case I don't get an interview but they have to spend 20 minutes processing my application. Best case I got the job with part-time hours.

I really can't afford not to even break even so can't do full time hours unless they paid more. We are just about getting by on DH's salary but couldn't afford the £400 difference per month between salary and childcare.

OP posts:
Mongolia · 22/01/2010 15:14

Check this entitledto.co.uk

you may qualify for tax credits.

BTW I have worked in an office most of us were jobsharing or part-timing. It was so difficult to keep track of everything that the sole thought of another job share would have caused some notices being handed over. I ended up working stupid hrs (like 2-3 hrs a day 5 days a week, instead of 2 days a week) as there was no continuity at all and everything was only half done or badly finished. Obviously, good communication is the clue to avoid this but perhaps the prospective boss is not willing to try it.

mollythetortoise · 22/01/2010 15:20

i applied for a FT job knowing I only wanted to do 4 days at most. I mentioned this fact at end of interview and got phone call the next day offering me the job on the days I wanted.

Why not go for it. If you are the best person for the job , they would be mad to insist on 5 days a week if you could offer 80% of that.

Sassybeast · 22/01/2010 15:47

Hequet - picking up your point about it only losing them an hour - surely it costs much more than that to get someone as far as an interview stage in terms of time and resources - short listing candidates, arranging interview times etc ? They obviously have reasons for specifying full time hours and I think in the 'current economic climate', the employer holds all of the cards and turning up for an interview, knowing that you don't fulfil the person spec i.e are prepared to do FT hours would probably piss potential employers off. can you tell I'm speaking from experience ?