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Original poster

Job interview tomorrow- when to bring up part time hours?

18 replies

Stroan · 27/04/2021 20:53

I have an interview tomorrow. I currently work 3 days a week and would like to (and need to!) continue working part time.

The job is at a large company known for offering flexible working. The job is a brand new role and wasn't advertised as full time - the advert specifically said "happy to talk flexible working". I vaguely know someone in recruitment there who is a strong advocate for flexible policies

In the past, when I've brought up flexible working I've had job offers rescinded or haven't progressed in the process but this company is very up front about it.

I'm just not sure when to raise it? During the interview or in any future negotiations?

Obviously, if they ask, I will be honest. I don't want to waste their time if they really don't want it to be a part time role.

OP posts:
demiwav · 27/04/2021 20:55

Definitely wait to have that conversation when they offer you the job.

demiwav · 27/04/2021 20:55

All the best for your interview:)

PinkCookie11 · 27/04/2021 20:56

Agree with pp

boomboom1234 · 27/04/2021 20:58

Agree with the others. Focus your energy on getting the job first. If they ask be honest and say you are looking for three days etc but don't go out of your way to discuss that straight away.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 27/04/2021 20:58

No harm in asking what the flexi working policy is .
My friend has just got a job that was advertised as flexi working and she asked at the interview what the policy was.
Theirs was you had to be in the office between 10-3 and was flexible around the remaining 3 hours a day so you could work from home for those and still do school drop offs and pick ups if you liked.

weewitch · 27/04/2021 20:59

Agree with @boomboom1234 - if they bring it up then answer honestly but otherwise don't mention it at all until they offer you the job. Good luck!

DenisetheMenace · 27/04/2021 21:00

Disagree, sorry. Upfront from the beginning.

Catsarecrazy · 27/04/2021 21:01

Isn’t flexible working different to part time working?

HollyBollyBooBoo · 27/04/2021 21:01

Negotiate pay, perks and hours once you've been offered the job.

Good luck!

Rainbowqueeen · 27/04/2021 21:05

Get the job first
I’d see it as they have advertised it that way because they are happy to offer flexibility but that the focus at the interview is finding the right candidate. Show them that you are the right candidate

MaidofKent78 · 27/04/2021 21:06

Varies from job to job. In my current one the advert explicitly said to state preference for PT in your application.

In your case, I would wait and see what happens in the interview. As others have said, if they raise it, answer the question honestly but otherwise wait until they make an offer.

Good luck!

BrilliantBetty · 27/04/2021 21:08

I'd be annoyed if I had conducted an interview and the candidate didn't mention they were only interested in a part time position until getting an offer.

If I had known from the get go, I would have thought about how we could make it work if they seemed a good fit otherwise, and whether any other candidates might consider job sharing.

name674398 · 27/04/2021 21:16

Always after you've been offered the job. As a recruiter I would not be annoyed at a candidate wanting part time hours unless the job was explicitly advertised as full time only, I'm in the public sector and most roles are advertised as "flexible" or job share etc but in reality we can't offer part time hours so I wouldn't be annoyed at a candidate for trying, it's the system that's wrong when it makes out there is more flexibility than there often can be.

IEat · 27/04/2021 21:29

Don’t say anything about your hours, wages, holiday entitlement. Stick to answering the interview questions and have one ready at the end to ask the interviewer... what keeps you working here... that kind of thing

londongram · 27/04/2021 21:29

Always after - you start talking about what you want upfront it turns people off you. It's a dance - you draw them in - they want you and so they will bend to meet your needs - sure it's annoying if you want full time staff but hey - it's an offer and a negotiation - everyone can have their say.

WingingItEveryDay7 · 27/04/2021 21:30

I applied for a job last year (pre covid) and asked during the telephone interview what the hours were and if there was flexibility. I didn't want to waste my time or theirs as I couldn't do FT. As it happened, I was told that it could be possible because they knew some current employees were PT. She had to check before presenting me for a face to face meeting. I've been there over a year now and it's been great!

Original poster
Stroan · 27/04/2021 21:31

Thanks all, very helpful. I will keep it to myself unless it comes up or I would look dishonest by not raising it.

@Catsarecrazy part time is a type of flexible working according to the government definition.

@BrilliantBetty this was my exact concern. However, it's not a job that would ever be suitable for job share anyway. I am very efficient and often get through as much as my full time colleagues, but any new employer would need to take my word for it unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stroan · 27/04/2021 21:37

@WingingItEveryDay7 thank you for sharing that, it's great to hear positive stories

OP posts:
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