When do you negotiate hours?

[ZeldaUpNorth]

Ok, so i've been out of work for just over 8 years after having dd1. I kind of fell into my last job plus i didnt have hour restrictions due to no kids so never had to think about this. I want a part time job, but it mustn't clash with dp's hours. So therefore i cannot work Thursdays and Mondays at all. So if for example a job says 4-6pm mon, weds and friday should i
a) not apply
b) apply but state on application for i'd prefer to do Tuesday instead of Monday c)Wait until i am (hopefully) offered the job then ask to switch days
d) something else?
Any help appreciated.

c) I think if it was me and I really wanted the job then I would go for it anyway and if I was offered the position then I'd say how much I would like to take it but unfortunately would have to switch the Mondays. Pretending it is a fairly recent need to have a Monday off.

However if there were other positions that would suit better then I'd have to say b)

Good luck

Be up front at application stage.

You can always apply, but as I'm sure you're aware, it's an employer's market so the onus is on the applicant to meet all the requirements, unless there's something about you that sets you above all the other candidates and encourages the employer to compromise. In any case, I would be up front. It'll just piss them off if you get the job and then say "Oh actually......"

Part time jobs in which they don't care which days you work will be phrased as such (e.g. 21 hours per week, flexible). What sort of roles are you looking at?

I'm not qualified at anything (got a few gcse's) so just shop work or cleaning (would prefer shop work though as not sure i can do all the bending/lifting hoovers etc with my bad back, takes me loads of time to do my stairs) Its so awkward when you have no family who can help out, but dont want to go to work to pay someone else to watch my kids (3) as it would more than likely take all my wages up.