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Original poster

Invited for interview based on CV but when they realised i wanted PT.........

11 replies

porkypoo · 04/03/2007 19:39

I have worked PT for v large company for 6 years. (DD is now 7) I emailed HR at the beginning of the year and advised them that I was looking for a move internally, told them that I still wanted PT. So saw a job which was advertised as FT and applied. To my amazment I was offered an interview, but when I got there HR lady said "so you've decided to go FT?" I replied "Have I?" and with that she spoke with her collegue and they made a phone call. They then advised me that the job was FT. She said it was a shame as I looked ideal from my CV. I was gutted...... Felt like my hopes had been raised falsely. This has knocked my confidence for six. Any ideas what I should do now?

OP posts:
chocolatekimmy · 04/03/2007 21:08

Have they explained why it is a full time position? Also have they considered other options like advertising for a person to job share with you (particularly if you look ideal)?

Sounds as though they are going by the book and this has thrown them a bit - wouldn't take much for them to look at other options.

Maybe you should talk to the manager to find out more and explain that obviously HR think you would be ideal, so could you meet up to see if there would be any other options as it would be a shame not to utilise your skills and experience etc. Try and make it sound like they would really miss out, also put a case together about how you could work the role part time, considering issues and how they could be overcome (look up flexible working on dti for examples)

hatwoman · 04/03/2007 21:15

I think chocolatekimmy is right - ime HR depts can be a right old pita about this sort of thing whereas the actual managers you might be working with can be more flexible - they're the ones who actually want your skills - hr depts just want to be able to tick a "succesful" recruitment off their list (apologies to any HR professionals - just my experience). I had a similar experience - applied for a job at another organisatin, wrote on my covering letter that I was only availble p-t. got asked to interview - was very pleased. interview went ok. then at the end they started going over the terms and conditions and said it was f-t. I had to interrupt and point out that I'd said explcitly on my letter I wasn;t available f-t. HR guy looked uncomfortable, the guy who would have been my boss looked suprised! it was there in bloody black and white!

Original poster
porkypoo · 04/03/2007 21:31

Its a sales postion with inbound and outbound calls. (I am currently inbound only) The dept is expanding rapidly and they need bums on seats all day. Their words not mine. I think the reason I felt let down is because I have applied before and not even got an interview! So you can imagine how pleased I was when I was given one. Loads of prep. But didn't even get half way through the interview. They said maybe looking for PT in the future but just not at the mo. Got to go in tomorrow!

Hatwoman I agree with your opinion of HR people (sorry again to any HR profs out there) She just wants the jobs filled, not really bothered with who is best. Best bit was I was only gonna be around 7 hours off full time!

OP posts:
chocolatekimmy · 04/03/2007 21:33

I'm a Human Remains person but try not to closed minded in things. Just that I have seen a lot of people who are and can't think for themselves (or don't see why they should) if there is a policy they should follow.

I'm not offended by the way.

hatwoman · 04/03/2007 21:41

sorry chocolatekimmy . there are a lot of policy followers though - good to hear it's not everyone!

Original poster
porkypoo · 04/03/2007 21:47

Could this not be seen as indirect sex discrimination? I thought you had to give same transfer rights to part-timers as you do the rest of your staff? hmm

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 04/03/2007 21:55

if i had advertised a job as FT i would have expected anyone who applied to be applying for FT

MerlinsBeard · 04/03/2007 21:55

whoops clicked by accident

Is there no way it could be done PT? can u ask?

Original poster
porkypoo · 04/03/2007 21:59

I keep coming up against the same barriers. no matter which dept I apply for ALL the jobs are advertised as FT. I think it is worth an email to the manager to ask... not holding out much hope though. They don't even ask how many hours usually.. just say know without even looking into it.

OP posts:
PeachesMcLean · 04/03/2007 22:49

I've no real advice I'm afraid, except a comment made by a friend of mine who works in HR (LOL at Human Remains - thankfully I don't think she's one of the Religious Rule Followers) Anyway, her advice to me was to get them to want you and then negotiate on the part time thing, ie when they've got as far as offering you the job, so that they know they want you for your skills and 7 hours is less of an issue. How far could you get without mentioning the hours at all I wonder (though tricky if they ask outright...) ???

Original poster
porkypoo · 05/03/2007 10:29

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I think i would have been in with a great chance of the job if i was full time. They are just narrow minded bigots!!!!

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