What would you have done re: interview?

[messy123]

I applied for a full time job, quite a step up for me, on a whim really and got an interview for it. The recruitment manager rang me up and seemed very interested.

However, unfortunately, after speaking to my partner it turns out childcare-wise it just can't be done. The hours are 8-5 (40 hours per week) and it's 30 miles away, would be nigh on impossible with nursery and grandparents especially if partner goes back to working away as he did pre-covid.

I work part time currently (21 hours over 3 days, but would be able to do 4 days) and was very interested in the company so I emailed both the man who sent out interview invitation and the recruitment manager asking if flexible working was possible at all. Unfortunately after 5 days I had no reply from either of them so I sent a polite email declining the interview ,as there's no chance I could have accepted the job if offered. This morning I got just an outlook calendar automatic email saying the interview was cancelled, no further explanation/acknowledgement from them.

Did I do the right thing?

Sorry to hear about this. I’d have been tempted to impress them with a great interview first, then try and negotiate the flexible working once you’ve had an offer as you’re in a stronger position then. They may have refused anyway of course. I’d hope companies are becoming more flexible and less dogmatic about these things, especially in the current climate, but if they’re not then maybe you’ve dodged a bullet anyway.

It's an employer's market at the moment, so unless the role is very niche, unfortunately they'll have their pick of people who can do the hours advertised, no questions asked, so it's inevitable they'll take the easiest route.

I would have chased the email after 2 days with a phone call. People get busy, emails get missed. Don't fret over it, it it wasn't doable it wasn't the job for you.