Think I'm going to be offered a job - when do I ask about part-time?

[wohmum]

I'm currently working for myself at home a, but finances dictate that I need to get a job too. I've had an interview for one, and have a second interview next week . The agency seems to think they are keen and it sounds great. Problem is, although it's a full-time job (well, doesn't specifically say so, but most are in IT)I've started to think about whether I could ask for 4 days instead (assuming I do get offered it!)
I'me pretty sure the job will be straightforward for me - a bit of a step down from what I used to do, but suits me perfectly. When do i mention it ?should I even ask? will they change their mind if I do?

Hi wohmum - congratulations on the second interview. I was recently offered a full time job when I'd known all along I would want to negotiate on the terms and conditions if I was offered it. A friend of mine works in HR and was a tremendous help with her advice "Get them to want you and then negotiate". So what I did was go through the interviews, got the job offer, told them (genuinely) that I was amazed to be offered it and was delighted, and could I get back to them tomorrow with a response. I then met with my future line manager with a list of demands (was fairly complicated, not as straight forward as wanting to do four day rather thn five.) and wonderfully it worked! So I'll keep my fingers crosssed for you too. I hope it goes well.

Good suggestion by Peaches.

Are you sure that the role and workload could be managed in 4 days, could there be issues that you may not be aware of?

You need to have a good case to demonstrate how thoroughly thought through your proposal is. Ensure you cover everything, particularly for the time you are not there. Add some positive light on it in that they getting the person they think is most capable and it won't cost them as much. Also on the plus side is that they will probably get more work out of you anyway as you will put the effort in to make it work and be motivated becuase you have the work life balance you want making you more committed.

I have been able to negociate part times in the past. With the first one I was already working for the company and I was quick enough to finish all the work long before the end of the day (which then I sepnt getting bored about). I convinced them that it would be more cost effective to hire me part time and pay per extra hours (at normal rate up to the full pay for a months full time) when there were peaks of work. It worked quite well.

Second time, I had 3 interviews and only mentioned about part time at the third. By the time I had already realised that they wanted a junior designer because that was just what they could afford, so when I was sure that they really wanted me doing the job and they make the offer I said: Look, this is well below what I would expect (they looked a bit deflated) and then I added, but, I'm very fast and I'm sure I can complete all the work with a good degree of quality in half the time you want me here. (They looked a bit dubious) so I said that the advantage of something like that is that they would have a senior designer who would produce far more work and of better quality than a junior or trainee for the same price, only that I would be there just 3 days a week. They agreed to the offer within a week.

HTH

Thanks for your thoughts - I'll probably know more about what they think the role entails at second interview , because I haven't really thought it through yet as to whether it really can be done in 4!

I suspect I may not ask yet, but if I get the job, may see if there is a possibility of reducing my hours after 3 months. I guess I'd better see how well the intetrview goes first anyway!!

On one hand I'm looking forward to goign back, but really NOT looking forward to all the juggling of childcare, housework and meals that goes with it!