New job application - which point to ask for part time?

[SebbysMum]

I have been very fortunate to have been working in a good job on a 70% part time basis for the last 4 years. The arrangement has worked really well but I think it is time to move on. I've found a job in a different organisation which sounds ideal but is advertised as a full time post.

At what point in the application process do i mention that I would like to do it less than full time?

I'd ring up before applying and ask if they would be open to the idea before I wasted any more of my time / their time.

depends -its a deal breaker if you can't get full time - then agree ring up before hand - however this may mean your application will go no further
also worth trying to find out the company's approach to fleixable working - look on website or see if you know anyone who works there -may be friend of a friend
I have had good success in asking at offer stage - but was happy to go for 0.8 or other flexiabiltiy

They've advertised it as a full time post so they're looking for a full time person.

I would ask before you apply. Unless you are a very strong candidate I think they will say no.

I agree with asking before you apply, you will just be wasting everyone's time otherwise.

Agree with mincepie and FestiveElement. They want a full time employee. If you really want the job, you'll have to go full time. By all means call and ask them, but don't under any circumstances waste their time by applying and imagining you can start negotiating a part time contract once they've offered you the job.

Having just interviewed candidates for a FT job, I can tell you that it's very annoying to be asked at interview stage. It was FT for a reason - a daily admin schedule.

We got about 120 applications. Of those, and with spelling mistakes and missed-out sections went in the bin. We interviews six people. Two asked for part-time at the interview. One asked how much time she was allowed off if her child was ill, and a fourth bitched about his previous employers (it's a small industry - everyone knows each other). It was a real eye-opener, sitting on the interview panel.

And I see the irony of all my mistakes in previous post - I'm enjoying a glass or two of wine and I'm on my phone!

I once spent some time with a "transition services" consultant. His advice was that the purpose of the interview is to sell yourself and get a job offer. If you ring up before hand or mention in the interview that you really want part time (unless it flows naturally from conversation) then you will prejudice your chances of getting an offer.

If the company has advertised a f/t post then they want a full time person. If they thought a part time person could do the job then they wouldn't be wasting their money paying someone full time. If they are advertising for a number of people to (say) set up a new team you might have some wriggle room. Alternatively once you get a foot in the door you might find that there are part time opportunities.

Just out of interest then, how would you look for a part time job? Are they ever really advertised? I know most of the part time people at work are really in full time jobs, but negotiated some flexibility after maternity leave etc. If we replaced them, we'd advertise them as full time jobs so to an outsider, you wouldn't know part time was an option.

And for what it's worth, I'd wait until I had an offer before asking - don't give them a reason not to employ you. But that's assuming you could be flexible with what you want - if it's an inflexible deal-breaker I'd probably have a discussion upfront to save you all wasted time on something you couldn't accept it.

We are having trouble finding anything full time, everything seems to be around the 26 hour mark.

I found more joy with speculative applications when I was looking for part time. Though I suspect it depends on the field you are looking in. I think with speculative applications (if you can get to talk to a real hiring manager) there is more chance they might hire you for a post that they didn't want to spend money advertising.

I applied for a FT job within the same organisation i was already in but wanted to work PT.

I applied online then called the head of department (not recruiting manager) and discussed the possibility of part time. I was very lucky they my existing manager had already put in a good word about me.

I got the job but I didn't just ask for PT, I found someone else in the company who wanted the same thing as I did, researched job shares, then offered the pair of us for a FT position rather than just one person. We were interviewed separately and then together and the offered us the job. I have to say I did put in a lot of effort in terms of speaking to company directors, high up HR bods, people outside the industry who jobshared etc.

This is all very helpful, thank you. I think on reflection I would feel uncomfortable springing a request on them at offer stage. I did phone but didn't manage to get a clear answer. It was more a case of 'apply and see', so that is what I will do and I will discuss my position in the cover letter.

I do agree with the thrust of Slev's post. I think many jobs are made part time for people already in post and I believe a lot of jobs are probably advertised as full time by default, without thought being given to whether or not they could actually be handled on a less than full time basis.

I do not in any way assume I have a right to part time work and accept it may well be the case that a full time applicant will get the job. On the other hand, I will never really be sure until I apply.

Glad they suggested you apply anyway, good luck.

I used to work in the charity sector. Orgs tended to be more open to part-time roles as it saves money. A friend recently secured a 4 day a week role which was advertised as ft. However, 3 days a week is different from 4 I would suspect.

I asked before I applied. They said they would be happy for me to apply and that part time could be discussed if I was successful.

I was surprised I was against other people who wanted full time (they wanted my experience).

When offered the job, I negotiated 3 days per week (days of their choice).

A girl at our place announced she only worked Monday to Wednesday on her first day - and now does

I agree with the asking first. All the jobs I've had since DD was born (nearly eight) have been advertised full-time but I've done them part-time in three or four days.

Especially for more senior jobs, the default is to put full-time otherwise you would restrict the range and number of people applying.

However as a recruiting manager I would be really put off if someone applied for a full-time job and only then at interview or even worse at the offer stage said that they only wanted part-time.

Since they said "apply and see", go for it. It sounds they are open to pt role, for the right candidate.

In my admin/support team everyone is part time on 25 + hours. TBH I think you get the same amount of work out of people on 4 days as 5 ( unless they have to be there to answer the phone or similar) and we have a much happier workforce.

I'd ring and ask before. I've done that on occasion and been told to apply anyway and mention it on the application form. If you are a strong candiate you will still have a good chance.

I don't know if this is true of all Local Authorities, but in my area - part time applicants will be always be considered for full time roles.
I don't know how seriously they'll be considered, but apparently it's always worth a shot. If they get 2 suitable applicants both wanting part time then they'll allow a jobshare.
I applied for what was advertised as a full time role, I said on the form that I only wanted to work part time.
I got offered a job share and start next week .
So it's always worth a go!

hi there, why not phone before applying and ask if they would consider JOB SHARE as i know that many companies do adopt this idea, its worth asking.