Talk to me objectively about going for this promotion

[AndHarry]

Please :)

I've been in my job for the last 5 years. In a conversation with my line manager last year I talked about how I would like to progress, where I saw the role going etc. Last week a draft job description for exactly the role I described. I would love to go for it but I have two small children and this promotion would involve regular UK and overseas travel. I currently work 3.5 days a week. DH started his own business last year so while he has some flexibility, he needs to put in long hours.

Would I be mad to apply for it?

No. If you apply, you may not get interviewed. If you don't apply, you definitely won't get interviewed. If you fit the role, and they're keen on you, there may be some room for flexibility on the travel. Part-time and child-care may be issues, but they're not insurmountable.

Can you speak to the manager whose advertising for the role, and talk to them about it, and express your interest?

I have a weekly 1-to-1 with my line manager on Thursday and I know this will come up as she knows I'm interested but I'm trying to think through whether it would be practical or desirable at the moment. If it was all about what I wanted, I would apply, which is hampering my judgement slightly!

The problem with applying is that they might offer me the job :o

How much freedom would you have in scheduling your own business trips? Is it client led or could you plan them in advance to suit you?

I would definitely go for it by the way.

Travel would be mostly based around industry association meetings and conferences so I'd have no say over that but could have more flexibility on when I ran training.

Hmm. I'll discuss with DH.

So presumably you would get a fair bit of advanced notice about the travel as the meetings and conferences will be scheduled? As opposed to customer x needs you to be in Paris tomorrow lunchtime.

That would give your husband the flexibility he needs to plan his workload/child pick-ups round your trips as you can tell him that you will be away eg 7-10 April so he needs to plan his work schedule to fit round that.

Definitely go for it.

That is true. I'd sometimes have to be off at very short notice but I can't see it happening very often.

When you've got the job and it all works out somewow, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated.