When in the job application process should I ask about flexible working?

[MrsJamin]

I'm looking for a job after finishing maternity leave (and was made redundant near the end). I'd like 2.5-3 days a week but (as everyone finds) in corporate jobs, part-time jobs are generally negotiated down from initial full time jobs before maternity leave, they are hardly ever listed as part time jobs.

I've seen some jobs posted at a large reputable company which are really suitable (it says a few posts are available of different seniority levels), but I assume they are full time posts. The role lends itself more to full time work. I really want to ask whether they would consider part time hours but I don't know at what point I do this - do I apply, get them interested in me, and ask at interview stage, or do I ring up the consultant and ask straight out? There is a consultant's name on the job post so this could be done easily. Has anyone negotiated flexible working in a new role? DH even suggested I get to the stage where I might be offered a role and then say I wanted part time hours, but I don't want to waste anyone's time.

Ask after you get offered the job definitely

Bear in mind that if you get the job then say "But I want part time work" they can say no. You don't have the right to request flexible working until 6 months of employment.

I'd be up front with it - If you try to sneak into a part time job they may just resent you for it and that when you've got less than a years service (i.e. little legal protection from dismissal) is not a good place to be.

Right. That's as clear as mud, then.

I did a very similar role before DC1, and was refused flexible working as it didn't work in that company to do the role part time. There is a similar risk with this role so it is highly likely that they would say "We only have full time positions". By "up front",

Grevling, would you ask alongside sending a CV, or before sending one, or at interview? There's quite a lot of options and I don't want to jeopardise getting a role if I ask at the wrong time.

I wanted to work less than full-time hours too, and a natural opportunity to discuss it arose during my first interview for my current job, a year ago. The interviewer asked me about applying for a job with less responsibility/lower salary than the one I'd been doing a few years earlier before being a SAHM and then working freelance. I said that I was happy to accept that in order to move into a new, more interesting part of my industry (true), but that I'd like to be able to negotiate on hours. We discussed working hours in general terms, but then not again until after I'd been offered the job a few weeks later. I work 32 hours a week and can do the school pick-up two days a week. Personally, I'd be wary of mentioning part-time work at application stage, and would wait until you can sound them out a bit better at first interview stage. Would you agree to 4 days a week to begin with and then try to negotiate down from there? I do think that full-time to half-time would be a jump too far for most employers.

i've applied for 3 full-time posts, and always asked in the q&a bit after the interview.
i figure this way you allow tham to see how wonderful you are , but equally allow them to weigh this information up as part of the decision-making process.
I was offered each of the 3 jobs part-time - not always the exact hours/days i would have liked, but i was really impressed at how flexible people can be.

A friend negotiated quite a senior full time position down to 4 days after being offered the job.

Used it as a way to negotiate salary (I'd like more money but will take lower hours instead). She didn't even have children :o.

But 2.5/3 days a week is more difficult and most probably would have to be a jobshare if they are advertising a full time position.

I would wait until you have been offered the job, and then ask if they would consider a job share. That way, you can say your circumstances have changed etc.

I have just applied for and been given an interview for a full time position. However when i went to the interview they told me that they werent too sure of hours for this position, did I have any preferences
I start soon on part time hours - 28 hours per week

What happened to me once, was I interviewed someone for a full time job (which I had advertised as full time and which I knew needed to be full time) and at interview, the lady told us she'd have to:

work part time during holidays

Take a month off in summer in addition to her annual leave, as she had farm commitments.

It really pissed me off as she had at no point mentioned any of this before applying, or on her application form.

She'd basically wasted a whole load of time at shortlisting and interview because she wasn't suitable.

Ask before applying, so as not to waste your time or anyone elses.

If you wanted an arrangement which would potentially enable you to cover the job they are currently recruiting, such as compressed hours over 4 days, or something similar, then I'd probably mention it once they've been wowed by you at interview.

If you want 2.5 - 3 days a week and will basically be asking them to cut the job content seriously down or recruit a job share, that's something you need to find out much sooner to avoid irritating them as hairy was by completely wasting their time.

I think you'll struggle to negotiate a full-time role down to 2.5/3 days a week. I agree that sounds like a major re-write and you'll be seen as a time-waster. I've recently been in the same position and only managed to negotiate 30 hours down to 27 hours. (But that might be because my negotiating skills aren't great!). Might be worth sounding them out at application stage though.

Hmmm. I applied for a FT job, but my recruitment agent knew I really wanted part-time. They offered me the job and then I asked him to check whether they would accept a reduction to 4 days per week. He checked with HR and they said not now.

So, I took the job, 5 days pw. Have been there 3 months. I have sussed the job out and I know that in a few months time, I will probably ask about reducing my hours to 4 days pw and recommend they hire another junior PTer (2/3 days per week with the money they save on my salary) to assist with the general workload in the department.

Why risk losing a job offer?

Goodness, I just couldn't risk it and do 5 days pw. DH works all hours Mon-Fri so both boys wouldn't see either of us for 5 days and we don't need the money enough to do that. Thanks for your experience though, I think if I was looking for 4 days I could chance it but 2.5/3 days is just too much of a drop to hope that they would do this.

If you definatley can't do full time hours, I think you are better off applying for part time jobs.

I've also been trying to find a new job (I already work 3 days pw but really want to move closer to home as my commute is becoming a problem).
I have applied for 2 or 3 roles that I know I'm well suited for and each time stated in the application that I wanted reduced hours (am prepared to do 4 days pw to work closer to home).
Each time my applications have gone absolutely nowhere and when I have sought feedback (to check that there's nothing else putting people off) I'm told that jobs are full time, no flexibility.

So while I agree with those who say be upfront to avoid timewasting (that was my attitude initially) I have to say that my experience to date of that approach hasn't been very positive and next time I see something suitable I'm tempted to hold off until interview stage.