Job interview.. Ask for less hours?

[Lemonnhoney]

I'm looking for work and got an interview in a role that I would really enjoy and would be a good opportunity.

Only thing is it is for 30 hours and I have a 1 year old and 3 year old and not sure I can do that many hours (it may be 5 days a week.) it's not well paid so paid childcare is a no and I can get family but 5 days may be too much to sort out.

I applied quickly on a whim and now I'm unsure if I'm even ready for work.

Do I ask if they could let me do less hours?
How do I go about this in the interview?

I appriciate I maybe shouldn't go to the interview as I don't want to waste their time but I really want a job so just kind of hoping it will all work out somehow.

I think go through the process if only for experience. If the interview goes well you will get asked if you have questions and you could ask about shift patterns and flexible working and wfh options. Going through this will help you work out where employers will flex and in advance what hours you can do and on what days what your own boundaries are. What does your partner thing and how will they support you in returning to work? You need to have that chat if you haven't already. They may need to change their working pattern. There is always some compromise when applying for part time jobs when you aren't an existing employee negotiating your hours down.

Don't negotiate at interview (but do go to the interview). If you're offered the job and they have decided they definitely they want you - that is the time to discuss flexibility, hours etc.

Does the advert say up to 30 hours? Or job share?
As a I've, see if you can wfh or do spread hours so you can fit it in around your family

Interview & then if they offer the job you ask if you can reduce hours a bit. Don't ask for big reduction unless you reckon they think you're amazing. I've done this twice, from FT advertised down to 4 days/week actual instead both times.