Interview-friendly reasons for applying for a new job with fewer hours?

[Strumpetpumpet]

Hi I’m having a rubbish time at work, no sign of things improving any time soon. I’ve seen a similar job advertised locally but it’s part time. I quite fancy part time anyway, we can afford it, and the job looks interesting.

My question is, if I am invited for interview, obviously they’ll want to know why i’ve Applied, do you think it’ll be believable if I say I want to go part time for a better work-life balance? Any advice re “suitable” reasons for applying without telling them how awful my current employer is?

Would be grateful for any advice :-)

Don’t say your current employer is rubbish!

Say you wish to reduce your hours for a better balance in your life. Assure them you work hard and that you would be flexible regarding hours if need be. (Don’t say this if you cannot be flexible). Say you believe you find their job very interesting and you would relish a challenge and a change. Don’t forget the employer wants a part time employee. They are expecting applicants to be reducing hours.

Loads of people go part time. All my DH’s women employees are part time. They negotiate the hours they do around what needs to be done. It could be more one week and less the following week. As long as it all adds up and Work gets done, everyone is happy. He’s recruited some great people who don’t want to commute any more and have more time at home. If you will no longer commute, say this too.

I recently did exactly this and they didn't even bother asking why I wanted part time until after they were offering me the job. I just told the truth. That I wanted to work in at this particular place doing this particular thing and was willing to take part time hours to do it.

If they ask just tell them you wanted a better work-life balance like you said. They probably won't really care that much to be honest.

Thanks both, that’s reassuring to hear, hopefully if I get as far as interview they won’t probe too deeply then 😂

You don't need to say anything much about why you want to leave your current job. Instead, explain why you want to work at this new place - that's what they'll be interested to hear. And it's gotta be something more than just your desire to achieve a better work life balance... that's not going to make the interviewers get too excited about you. Think about what makes the job attractive to you and why you'd be great at it.

I wouldnt focus on the hours at all
I would focus on why you want job - say that you are very glad you are in a position to be able to drop your hours so that you can take your dream job if offered it

If it's advertised as part-time you shouldn't have to justify the hours you want to work. Concentrate on what you like about the job itself and why it would be a better fit with your skills and aspirations than your current role.