Pre-interview etiquette!

[Lifeofalchemy]

I have been self-employed for 7 years and have just started applying for jobs. Is it appropriate to ask what hours/time they require when you receive a phone call/e-mail for an interview? None of the jobs I have applied for state hours and I don’t want to waste their time (or mine!)...I know I sound very naive...been my own boss for too long!

I have to point out that I have no experience of this but I'd have thought it was a perfectly reasonable question to ask! I'm surprised that hours aren't stated in the job ad?

No, it's fine to ask before you go to interview, if you're talking to an agency or a recruiter. I would generally assume full time is 35, 37.5 or 40 hours a week. As long as it's not the only thing you appear interested in at interview, leave questions like that for towards the end.

It's a really difficult one. If it's a recruiter you can be really upfront. It depends what level you are. Many roles expect you to be flexible. I generally have the conversation after I've been offered the job and negotiate an earlier start, shorter lunch etc so I can leave earlier. Very much depends on what roles you are going for, the nature of the business and your level