Requesting reduced hours when applying for a full time job

[BettyStogs]

I currently work 30 hours over 4 days although my job is officially a full time position (i.e my maternity cover worked full time and if I did leave, the position would be advertised as full time) I work in local government and am considering applying for another job within the same organisation but a different department. This job is also being advertised as full time and though I am keen to apply I ideally would want to continue my current work pattern. When would be the best time to discuss this with the recruiting manager? Should I make an informal enquiry beforehand or wait until the interview stage? I don't want them to be put off considering me at all but at the same time I don't want to put in loads of time and effort applying if there is no flexibility. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd say only once you're offered the job I'm afraid. I'm interested to see what others say though!

I would wait until after I was offered the job!

I also say once you've been offered the job - unless they bring it up beforehand, as presumably, they can check, as it's the same organisation. In which case, you do need to be prepared with what to say. I would try not to be too definite at this point, just ask what possibilities for flexible working they have, without saying you definitely want to do 4 days. Also - how important is it to you if it's the same four days as currently? If you were asked to change the fifth day to a Tuesday rather than Friday (for example), because of the way the department meetings and so on go, would that be an issue? I think you need to consider where you can make changes, and where you can't negotiate.

Going for a job you're interested in is always good practice - even if you didn't take this one if offered, it will make you think about the interview answers and so on you gave, and it will stand you in good stead for the next one you go for.

Now, I was advised, on here, to do it after being offered the job, but then when the recruiter was really snippy with me about timewasting when I knew the job was advertised F-T, I got an absolute flaming on here because everyone agreed that I was indeed wasting everyone's time by applying for f-t job when I knew I wasn't going to take it on a f-t basis.

I've done it both ways in the past. For an internal job I spoke to the potential new manager before applying and that was the most successful. For an outside job I didn't say anything before applying and although I was offered the job, we never agreed terms and I didn't accept.

Thanks all, lots to think about. I'm reasonably flexible about which day I have off, depending on childcare availability but staying on 4 days is definitely more important to me at the moment than changing jobs. I can see the point about applying being a good experience, but also don't want to waste anyone's time. Think I'll mull it over a bit more tomorrow and hopefully have a plan by Monday.

be prepared to have an arsy boss if you apply and recive a job off for full time to then expect to be able to only work 4 days or even part time as you really would have wasted everyones time

As a recruiter sometimes i wish i could actully claim the costs back for the interviews / recruitment process from people that apply for a job then try to totally change the job details (I am fine with negoation of wages maybe a few hours dropped eg 9-5 to 9 -4 etc) but not a total change from full time to part time as I if i wanted a part time eployee i would of advitised it as a part time job (its bloody difficult if not impossible to retract a job offer once offered.....)

Ask hr.

I would be highly annoyed if I interviewed someone, appointed them and then they said they could only work reduced hours. If I advertise for a full time position then that's what I need. I will say if part timers may apply but we do ask in interviews if you are able to work what we want and I would not be impressed if someone said they could and then changed their minds. It really is messing us around.

If you are offered the job, ask for part-time after you have been given a firm offer. Do you have children? If so you are within your rights to request flexible working (incl part-time). People who think that you should only apply for jobs that are advertised as part-time are clearly unaware of the tiny number of skilled jobs advertised as part-time. Good luck!

If they wanted someone to work reduced hours, would they not have advertised the job at reduced hours?

Stop timewasting, either pick up the phone and speak to the recruiting manager first or be prepared for one seriously pissed off manager.

I would speak to someone first. I have applied for 2 jobs that were advertised as ft but have contacted the designated person first to see if they would consider pt. both times they said they would and I am waiting for a start date for my new job any day. It's always worth asking but I wouldn't apply without asking first as I do think it is time wasting