How much to disclose to recruitment agency?

[2013letsdothis]

I'm in the job market for a senior position and have a couple of interviews/phone calls set up with recruitment agencies. I have recently separated and have the kids Tue-Fri so I'm only able to attend interviews on Mondays (obviously I'll arrange for childcare once I find a job).

My question is... should I disclose my current situation to the agency so they can assist with arranging interviews etc only on Mondays? Or should I keep it to myself and just say I have commitments on the other days?

I will also be restricted on how much travel I can undertake in any new job so might have to explain anyway when they ask? Just trying to understand how frank you can be with agencies.

Thank you

By all means be honest with the recruitment agency, however if you are going to only be available one day a week for interviews you may find that restricts you significantly. Instead I would suggest saying to the agency you strongly prefer Mondays if possible, but can sort out something for other days if necessary, and then get yourself a couple of back up options you can call on for a couple of hours in the event you need to attend an interview on another day.

If you don't have childcare in place currently I'm guessing you are a SAHM? You don't want to give (what I'm sure would be an unjustified) impression that you are inflexible.

Senior roles often involve a panel of senior people, and getting them together for one day is bad enough, but trying to get them together at different times to accommodate different candidates preferences may be a step too far.

How old are the DC?

Thanks flowery. DC are 10, 2 and 1. No childcare in place as I would have been on maternity leave until Oct (was made redundant back in June and decided to take the summer off).

Ok. Well I would look into options for interview childcare if possible, just so you don't rule yourself out of good job options for the sake of a couple of hours.

I suggest you try and find childcare options for the other 4 days as recruiters are not always on charge of the days that a company decide to interview on. You could find that you are ruled out before anyone has even picked up the phone to you, simply based on your availability.

I suggest you try and find childcare options for the other 4 days as recruiters are not always on charge of the days that a company decide to interview on. You could find that you are ruled out before anyone has even picked up the phone to you, simply based on your availability.

Also there is no point in spinning a complex story to a recruiter. A good recruiter will grill you before sending your cv or picking up the phone to a client. It's nothing personal to the candidate but they will obviously want to make sure you are as good as you say you are before they are prepared to put their neck on the line for you! I would advise you to be as honest as possible. If you are working with a good recruiter, they may sympathise with you and will defend your availability to the client or do whatever is necessary to get the company to see you on an alternative day.

Good luck with your search!