Interview - asking for flexible working etc

[bundybear]

Hello wise people,

So, I've been invited to interview for a job next week. Big step as I've been with my current employer for 12 years, and although I've attended interviews in that time, they've all been internal. I work in Higher Education, interview is at a different university.

The post is advertised as full time. I currently work 0.8FTE and would like to do the same. I also currently work 7am-3pm to avoid traffic and so I get to see my kids - not expecting those same hours, but hoping not to have to do 9-5. I haven't mentioned any of this to the employer yet (applied last minute, didn't expect to get an interview). So the question is, when/how do I request/negotiate reduced hours? Is that even possible if it's advertised as full time? It's a university, so has a pretty decent flexible working policy. Do I mention before interview, at interview, if offered the job?

Also, the interview is next week, on a day I am booked to attend a day-long Very Important Meeting at work. Do I fess up to my boss, or come up with some sort of 'personal reason' as to why I have to take leave that day?

Thanks for any help - been out of the recruitment game for a long time, not sure how to proceed!

I wouldn't mention at interview personally. I would negotiate if offered the job.

I'm guessing as it's a university there is no way of moving the interview? Public sector organisations usually have specific interview days don't they.

As for asking for flexible working, see if they like you first, and then ask. 5 mins before the end of the interview should do it.

It happened to me - we were interviewing someone and it was clear she would be great for the job. 5 mins before the end she said she'd be moving away from London and could she be home-based. Yes we were a bit peeved but we really wanted her, so we came up with a solution.

I'm assuming the flexible working isn't a deal breaker for you as you applied for it full time. Therefore I'd wait until pretty late in the process, probably if you get an offer. You should then have a reasonable idea of how you could make the job work in the hours you want, will be in a stronger position because they'll want you, but won't irritate them because you'll be asking the question rather than saying these are the hours I can do.

In terms of interview date, I would suggest asking the new employer whether there is any flexibility at all, and explain why. Wanting to show a commitment to your current responsibilities isn't a bad thing, and they can only say no. Maybe if the day isn't flexible ask if you can be right at the beginning or at the end?

Are you willing to work full time in the new role? As an employer, I would be quite p*ssed off with someone who applied for a full time role but then announced they could only work 4 days rather than 5. But I work in a very different industry to you (financial services) where we're a lot less "tolerant" so maybe in education they will be fine with it. In my industry flexible/part time working tends to be a benefit of long service but new employees usually have to start on full hours unless the role is specifically advertised as part time/job share. I know a lot of people who are unable to leave their current employers because they won't be able to work 3-4 days/week in a new job and they don't want to go full time.

Thanks everyone. I would be willing to work full time (as in 5 days per week), but not 9-5 due to travel and childcare. That would be a deal breaker for me as it's not enough of a step up for me to sacrifice my current, very flexible working pattern. Universities tend to have good flexible working policies, especially in my field (student support) because it's dominated by women - doesn't always mean they'll agree to stuff though. My current manager (male) applied for a full time, office based job but works 10-3 most days with some catch up time working from home as he has a long commute. In other words, it's not at all unusual for people to work different hours - usually there are core hours across the middle of the day (will ask at interview).

I very much doubt the interview date can be changed as it's an entire selection day and if it's anything like our place, they'll just say no. Especially as the interview date was on the job advert...

I'd definitely ask at the end of the interview - ask what kind of flexibility they would have over hours and then say what you'd prefer. If you wait until the job is offered to you it is more awkward to then negotiate- you need to be honest and up front about how you want to do the job.

Right, checked re moving the date: they've offered in absentia i.e. if they don't appoint on the day, they'll arrange another date for me to come in. If they do appoint, I don't get interviewed.

That sounds risky bundybear - how much do you want this job?