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Original poster

Interview and flexi hours? How to ask?

17 replies

jaabaar · 23/10/2012 11:12

Hi,

I was employed for ten years in the same company and have now been made redundant. I was working part time (4 days, hours were changed for me to 9 to 4.45 so I can pick up my DD from nursery)

Now luckily I got an interview!

My question:

This is first time I go for a job having a toddler to pick up form nursery!
If the working hours are e.g. 9 to 5.30 how do I ask to leave early at the interview? As I know that you are only allowed to ask for flexible working after having worked for a while?? But I have no other choice then leaving early (no family or friends who could collect for me).

Thanks for any tips!

x

OP posts:
Ellypoo · 23/10/2012 11:25

When they ask if you have any questions, or if the subject of working hours comes up, I would just ask if there was any flexibility with the working hours, for example to allow for Nursery/school pick ups etc.

Where I work, for example, we work a mini flexi-time system on a weekly basis, with core hours, to allow people to fit in appointments or exactly this sort of thing around their weekly hours & workload - this is available to all staff, depending only on workload and other commitments within each department.

Good luck with your interview!

helpyourself · 23/10/2012 11:29

I'd leave it until after the interview, not at interview.

GhostShip · 23/10/2012 11:31

I'm not sure how you could, because I wouldn't want to jeopordise my chance of getting a job if I were you, but obviously you need to make them aware. Sorry not much help there! I suppose you could just ask how flexible they are with the working hours in regards to child pick ups. You can only ask I suppose.

Good luck, hope it goes well. x

helpyourself · 23/10/2012 12:05

Concentrate on getting the job, ask after!

Woozley · 23/10/2012 12:08

You could ask if you get offered the job, as a consideration as to whether to take it.

higgle · 23/10/2012 15:10

I wouldn't ask before you get a job offer - theywill be certain to pick someone who can work normal hours unless you are head and shoulders above the other applicants. We interviewed a large number of applicants for an admin post and they were all much of a muchness on expereince, skills etc. One asked for a late start and we crossed her off our list.

Original poster
jaabaar · 23/10/2012 15:20

Thank you all to have taken your time to reply! I really appreciate!

I also thought that saying after job is offered was best for me, but felt i was cheating them and holding back on important information which they should know before choosing someone...

Just feel guilty not telling from the beginning.

OP posts:
Original poster
jaabaar · 23/10/2012 15:20

Has anyone had experience in this? Had a interview and was in same situation?

OP posts:
givemeaclue · 23/10/2012 17:40

Ask if you are offered the job not at interview. Can your partner do any pick ups? I, there a nursery open later? Explore all these options in advance so you don't have to turn the job down if they won't all

Rockchick1984 · 23/10/2012 17:42

As a manager I have experienced it the opposite way - offered someone a job and they told me they couldn't work the hours I needed them to. Sadly I couldn't offer the job with the hours they wanted, as it was a retail position and we needed a specific number of staff members to open and close each morning. I was annoyed as we had discussed hours at the interview stage and she hadn't indicated then that there was a problem, if I hadn't told her at the interview stage what the hours of work were then I wouldn't have felt so annoyed by it.

I suppose the question is, if they can't do the early finish would you still want the job eg get a slot with a childminder to collect your da

Rockchick1984 · 23/10/2012 17:44

Ooops, posted too soon!

Collect your daughter, or move her to a nursery which opens later? If not, you may as well mention it at interview as you would likely turn the job down if offered anyway. If you would do either of these things, but would prefer not to ideally, then I'd mention it if you are offered the job :)

helpyourself · 23/10/2012 17:59

Obviously if they say 'part of your job would be to lock up, or we need someone to man the phones until 5', you have to mention it, but otherwise, wait until you're offered the job. In a situation like * describes, it's hard to know, without knowing what was described.

helpyourself · 23/10/2012 17:59
  • should be Rockchick, sorry!
tourdefrance · 25/10/2012 14:36

I would say save it for a 2nd interview or job offer (whichever comes first). I casually mentioned my son in the general chit-chat at my second interview as I wanted them to be clear about the fact I could not be at a different location for 9am. I figured they could then not offer me the job if it was a problem, far better to not get the job than to have to have that conversation several months later when the situation arises. I got the job and am still here. Unfortunately I keep getting different managers so have to have that conversation every 6 months or so anyway.

Original poster
jaabaar · 25/10/2012 14:48

Thank you all!

My DH can do the drop off in the morning, but I do have to do the collection in the evening. Nursery open till 6.30 but cant get back from Central london in time... no other nursery opens longer... and I believe it would be too long hours also for my DD (nearly 3 years). Although she adapts to anything so quickly and without problems.

So I decided to be open from the beginning as I do not want to waste their time either. At the very end I would ask what the working hours are as I would have to collect my DD from nursery. Let's see, what is meant to be is meant to be.

I personally would be annoyed if I had someone at interview who AFTER offering the job told me that cant work the hours.

I guess it also depends on company/job you are applying for.

wish me luck, it is tomorrow!
xx

OP posts:
helpyourself · 28/10/2012 04:27

How did it go?

Original poster
jaabaar · 30/10/2012 15:04

Hi All!

It went very well!!!

They asked me if I had any family comitments as I would have to attend trade fairs twice a year. I said it would not be a problem to attend trade fairs for a few days but I would like to mention that I have a 3 year old daughter at nursery. This would mean that I would have to leave early to pick her up. And I said I prefer to say this from the beginning just in case this is a problem for the company and to save everyones time if they are not interested.

They said no no we can negotiate on hours as at the moment we are more interested to get the right person!

.....................and meanwhile i got invited for second interview!!

:))))))

thanks all for the advise, it always gives a bit of confidence to hear some advise! thanks a ton!

OP posts:
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