Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

Interview for fantastic job - what would you do?

20 replies

Theaspidistraiswilting · 28/04/2017 16:22

Hello wise Mumsnetters,

I have an interview next week for a fantastic job BUT it is full time and I have been a SAHM for the past 3 years. Both kids will be at school from September. It is 35 hours a week with 30 days holiday.

I would love this job but could only realistically do it if I could reduce the hours to four days a week and take time off during holidays as we have no family here to help with childcare. A job share would be ideal!

So my question is, do I say this at the interview or wait until I am (ahem!) hopefully offered the job? I don't want to waste anyone's time.

Your advice would be gratefully received!

OP posts:

Ginorchoc · 28/04/2017 16:26

Mention it at the interview otherwise yes you'll be wasting everyone's time.

OliviaStabler · 28/04/2017 16:28

Four long days I.e. Same hours just less days?

OlennasWimple · 28/04/2017 16:29

I would wait until you are offered the post and then ask whether it is possible to do a different working pattern. Unless it comes up naturally at the interview

ArseyTussle · 28/04/2017 16:30

Go for it, get it, do it and get a childminder. Fantastic jobs are satisfying for the soul and pocket.

MiniAlphaBravo · 28/04/2017 16:32

Slightly depends on how things go. I asked about this in an interview when I was the only candidate so felt pretty confident I'd get offered the job. I did get offered but they turned down the idea of making it pt that I had asked about. If you definitely couldn't do it full time then you should ask in the interview but maybe have a good think about childcare cos 35 hours a week might just about be manageable with a childminder or similar.

Original poster

Theaspidistraiswilting · 28/04/2017 16:41

Thank you, I think I am just flapping at the thought of going back full time. I managed before with 1 so 2 can't be that different! I am also consumed with guilt at the thought of chucking them into school clubs every holiday...

OP posts:

SpreadYourHappiness · 28/04/2017 16:43

Mention at the interview. They're offering the job at those hours because that's what they need, and they're not offering a job share either.

You'd be wasting their time if you left it till later.

MiniAlphaBravo · 28/04/2017 16:53

Why not take job if offered. Then if you find it unmanageable ask for flexi hours after you've been in the job and proven yourself. Likely to be far more open to it.

FuckYouAndDailyMailToo · 28/04/2017 17:05

Do you know anyone you could share with? IME most companies aren't quite ready for jobshare set ups and they can be tricky. Some companies will let you both interview and if you're the top two in interviews then they may offer as job share.

I would be honest at interview, but then I'm fed up with the dance around not mentioning kids at interview. If a company is willing to turn down someone because they have caring responsibilities (whether or not you can prove it) I wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

UnlikelyRunner · 28/04/2017 17:11

Do you have a partner? I ask because if there are 2 adults with holiday allowances then covering 13 weeks of school holidays is fine. We do 3 weeks each on our own with the kids, plus 3 weeks together. That leaves 4 weeks to cover with clubs, which we pay for pre-tax with vouchers. Holiday clubs are fun, it's not just dumping them to be babysat.
A satisfying job is worth a lot, and keeps your options open when the children are older.

RockyRoadster · 28/04/2017 17:20

You're very lucky having 6 weeks holiday entitlement Runner

UnlikelyRunner · 28/04/2017 17:24

30 days, just as OP has said she would get

Yika · 28/04/2017 21:52

Mention upfront at the interview. I waited till I had the job offer in and it was awkward the p/t wasn't negotiable for me and I felt I forced their hand. Bad way to start.

LadyLapsang · 28/04/2017 22:30

I wouldn't mention the 'chucking them into school clubs' to the employer, maybe your interviewer will be a working parent using childcare.

UppityHumpty · 03/05/2017 21:56

Look up their flexible working policy on the internet. Some employers might let you work condensed shifts over 4 days, others might allow 2-3 days work from home (which for me beats everything else).

museumum · 03/05/2017 22:00

Take the job and get a childminder. You can ask about flexi-time etc if you're offered it but don't rule it out just on childcare. Presuming your children have another parent you can manage this (millions of families do).

yousignup · 03/05/2017 22:04

I'd make a cake and take it to the interview :)

fabulous01 · 03/05/2017 22:11

I am desperate for part time and it is gold dust
Either ask after being appointed or take it full time and then hope your employer is flexible
Good luck as I am finding flexible working of any form is a miracle to get

OutandIntoday · 03/05/2017 22:13

Personally i think 4 days a week is a bad idea - you will end up doing the same job but with more pressure ( i can guarantee the job won't be any different if you do it 4 days instead of 5) but you get paid a lot less.

Take the job - you might be able to condense 35 hrs in 4 longer days or work 2 shorter days and 3 longer days. You will sort out the holidays - i have no family locally, work full time and manage on 26 days annual leave.

scaryclown · 03/05/2017 22:16

Take it and restructure your work/request after they are committed to you and have told any competition to fade away.

All this 'be nice to the employer' crap is stupid. It's a negotiation, so play it carefully.

Even Trump, arse that he is, tries to get a little more just after the full commitment stage.

IMO employees who do this in roles that don't need 9-5 face to face with customers etc are usually much better employees, so it not a bad request to make..

Flip