Interview advice/pointers please - I'm soooo rusty!

[MrsMoppet]

Hi,

I have been a full-time SAHM for 2 years but have always intended to return to work in 2011/2012. I am soooo ready to go back to paid work! I have had a couple of interviews recently but both times have been asked about my children and childcare arrangements, which made me very uncomfortable as in instance my young children were actually the reason I didn't get the job (I've posted about this elsewhere so I don't intend to rehash all the boring details here!).

I have an interview later this week for a GREAT job - the job description and skills specification could have been cut and pasted from my CV ... However, after 2 years with the lovely DCs, my interview skills (and, indeed, my grown-up conversation skills) are pretty rusty and I desperately need a few pointers please ... I think I come across as too chatty, informal and giggly in interviews, when I actually used to be very professional and had a high-earning, high-pressured career in the pre-DC days.

The job I'm going for is perfect because it can be done either full-time or part-time. I want to do it part-time; how do I answer the question "Why do you want to work part-time?" without gushing about wanting to be able to pick up my DCs from school etc? I was thinking of saying something about having hobbies/interests I want to pursue, and that a healthy work-life balance is important to me, but am not sure it this is the right way to phrase it?

If it helps to know a bit of background - I did work after both DCs were born, but we had a change in circumstances 3 years ago which meant I was able to become a SAHM for 2 years, but returning to paid work has always been the plan - so I do know what it's like to juggle work and childcare, school runs etc - it won't be a total shock to my system.

Also, when asked to specify which hours I would like to work, I don't particularly want to mention the school run as I think it might make me look flaky. I have worked for women in the past (and the interviewer is a woman) who have loathed working mothers, believing them to be flaky, unreliable etc. Obviously I am neither of these things but how do I convey this, without completely ignoring the fact that I have children? I mean, it's going to come up, isn't it, given that I'm asking to work part-time?

Help!

Thank you ...

Sorry for the typo above, I should have used the computer rather than my iphone. Just trying to prove that I can multi-task!

The last 2 jobs I have got have been p/t (well, four days a week) and this was brought up at both interviews. I tried to keep it focussed on the POSITIVE aspects of me working part time - that I was keen to ensure that my work time was utterly focussed, and that by having some time a week to spend with children/home I felt more able to ensure my productivity the rest of the time at work, and less 'pulled in two directions.' I think you do need to have the childcare arrangements fully thought through and ready in a credible answer (I was not asked actually, but was prepared if asked - my DH is military and was asked on both of his latest 'arrival interviews' by his new bosses....so it does happen to men too!)

In terms of the chatty/informal thing - don't get TOO hung up on it or you will come over as stilted and uncomfortable. What I would say is don't feel you have fill the gaps with 'noise' when you have finished an answer. Being able to 'hold on' to silence is a powerful thing itself. When you have finished your answer then shut up, and keep the rapport going by looking up, smiling and nodding slightly if that helps....but don't add to it because their is silence in the room - you will sound like you are babbling.

Thank you yummy, that's really helpful.

Do you think I should be prepared to give actual details of my childcare arrangements? Or can I just say "I have adequate childcare in place and my children do not impact on my ability to do my job" or is that a bit rude? I do have childcare sorted, but I don't really want to go into specific details as I think it's really boring! - e.g. this child does this after school on Mondays, that child goes to this friend's house, this one goes to after-school club etc etc .... I would be glazing over if I were the interviewer!

No, I don't think you need the intimate details - as you say, a bit boring and sounds like you are nervous/over compensating by going on about it. You want to give the impression that OF COURSE it is all taken care of, and wouldn't they rather hear about all the FANTEASTIC things you can bring to this role.

I wouldn't go into details about childcare arrangements...but I would always add that I have back up plans in place as well. It makes it look as though you've really thought through this and are not reliant on plans which might easily fall apart.

Totally agree with notyummy's comment about silence - don't feel a need to fill it.

Good luck!

Why do you want to work part-time? 'Good work - life balance'

They should not ask you questions about the children / childcare; if they do just say, 'Thanks, we have childcare in place' (as your DH needs childcare to work too)

Definitely don't start banging on about your childcare arrangements, that would give them the chance to ask you what your back up arrangements are if the children are ill, the school is used for a polling station etc. etc.

Thanks ladies. I agree, "work-life balance" is the phrase to be used

Watching! Am job-hunting...