Any point applying for jobs not listed as part time?

[GLTM]

I need to find a new job and it's my first time applying for one that is part time. Is there any point applying for a job not listed as part time? My partner thinks yes, whereas I think it's a waste of time.

Depends how part time. I think 4 days or 3.4 is worth it anything less maybe not

Worth an email before applying asking if they would consider part time or a job share!

Either email before, or just go for it. I fretted for days over an interview that I had that was for full time.. how would I manage the kids/housework etc etc. I got the job and they asked me how many days I wanted to work. So now I work 4days in a job I really enjoy. Good luck !

I interviewed for a job that was advertised as part time or full time / I wanted 4 days and got offered the job - when I said I wanted the part time option they said I should have said in my covering letter. I was so annoyed as it was advertised as part time and it was a lot of effort! So definitely ask before!

Yes it’s worth applying. Think of it as registering your interest in that type of work, that company. Some employers advertise as full time but then don’t find anyone willing to do that. You can add that you are ideally looking for part time in your covering letter, or leave that to see if you get an interview.

@Flackattack

I interviewed for a job that was advertised as part time or full time / I wanted 4 days and got offered the job - when I said I wanted the part time option they said I should have said in my covering letter. I was so annoyed as it was advertised as part time and it was a lot of effort! So definitely ask before!

You didn't tell them you wanted 4 days until after being offered the job?

If it was advertised as full/part time that means 5 days or job share 2.5 days. Not pick your own hours.

I would email before applying. Don’t waste their time.

Depends on your sector maybe? PPs saying you really should tell them before applying is not how it works in my profession. Get the job then ask about flexibility on hours. Bosses often don't put the forethought into the job ads, and don't really consider whether it can be done part time unless and until faced with their favourite candidate asking for flex. Otherwise IMO they will just say no- full time or nothing.
Which excludes mainly great women but also some great men from process and makes me very 😡

Depends. If you want four days, or compressed hours, or slightly different start and finish times, and it’s the kind of job where that could be possible, and/or it’s not a dealbreaker for you, yes apply anyway.

If you want to work two or three days and/or it’s the kind of job where it’s not likely to be doable because cover is required, therefore you’d be expecting them to find a job share, then yes ask beforehand whether they’d be open to that sort of thing.

I would and successfully did! I wouldn't worry about wasting the recruiters time either . In my experience about 90% of applications are either completely generic or woefully inadequate, so nearly all applicants waste the recruiter's time. For the right candidate I will bend over backwards though!

Good luck!

@ASpoolofBlueThread

I would and successfully did! I wouldn't worry about wasting the recruiters time either . In my experience about 90% of applications are either completely generic or woefully inadequate, so nearly all applicants waste the recruiter's time. For the right candidate I will bend over backwards though!

Good luck!

You are right about most applications being inadequate or completely generic - but would urge op not to reduce the quality of their applications as a consequence of upping the quantity...the generic - apply to everyone with the same covering letter and CV rarely impress.

You should also apply for full time jobs, unless you only want to work part time. If you do get a offer for a job that is for full time, you should put in the cover letter or ask at interview for part time, they should advice you of what they expect (if you can or cannot work part time). Lastly if you do end up working, check your contract.

I got my new role four days pw even though it was advertised as full time.

I told the recruiter in our first conversation but had made sure it was a MNC that had flexible working/family friendly policies. It’s also in an industry that’s looking to attract more women.

IME if you ask about PT before being offered the role you won’t be offered the role!

Most PT opportunities go to ‘imcumbent’ employees.

If willing to work 4 days, or 4 days hours over 5, might be worth trying for that after being offered a job.

Or if you can, get a FT role then after some time in post request PT.

I work 3 days per week in a job that was advertised as full time. I explained pre interview and again at interview that I could only work a specific work patter over 3 days, they gave me the job despite my limited availability. Email first, be positive.

Hi

Thank you for all your advice.

There are very few jobs advertised as part time, hence considering going for full time. However, I only want to work 2.5 days a week whilst my kids are young.

I think it was a very good point that the recruiter might not have put much thought into it.

My previous approach has always been to get the job and then discuss specifics, but with young kids there's so little time to apply for jobs anyway.

Look up the policies of public sector employers like council or nhs in advance or ring their recruitment departments to ask general advice. Are you looking for a specific skilled role or for unskilled work? I think at 2.5 days you will be looking at either a job share in a skilled role (hard to get I would think) or supermarket /retail/school meals supervisor assistant. I would make myself the best candidate and then ask but I would also be willing to be flexible to the needs of the employer eg if they need Wednesday full day I would not say I can't do that. Don't be the one that's only seeking info about flexibility and not interest in the job. But do ask respectful and reasonable questions about whether you would be suitable for them.

I'm looking for skilled work so a job share is fine, but very hard to come by.

It's quite hard to not be negative about it.i think managers will prefer to manage one person than two in a job share.

Pleaae ignore typos, feeding my baby at the same time

Tell them before interview. Otherwise you're wasting everyone's time if they can't accommodate you. It might be tricky to get someone else part time as well if a full time jobs needs doing.

In this job market however, they may well take part time over nobody! It's really hard to find good employees.
But be upfront.
Good luck

Doubt many employers will offer good roles at 2.5 days unless as part of a job share, which usually go to incumbents. I found it v hard to get and retain good jobs working 3 days, and increased to 4 and then 5 to get access to better jobs.

Not ‘wasting’ others’ time to attend an interview and not raise the PT request.

Discrimination against PT workers / mothers is prevalent. Disclosing a request before selection often leads to no offer.

Depending on the sector, negotiating down to 4 days a week is often doable. But 2.5 days is likely to be a stretch. You'd really need to be looking for a job share role but they seem to be advertised so rarely.

Having said that, it's an employee's market right now so I'd say this is as good a time as any to try it.

Could you try a temping agency? They often seem to advertise part time roles and it could give you a foot in the door with an employer?

2.5 days from full time would be highly unlikely and as an employer I would be pretty irritated. I would probably also say no to 3 days a week if I had been advertising for a FT role but I would be more than open to discussing 4 days a week, compressed hours, 9 day fortnight or a couple of early finishes to accomodate school pick up. Job shares aren't ideal in my industry as we are tight on budgets and a job share will cost more than one full time role.

To the person who said that full time / part time means full time or job share, I disagree, I think it's more likely to be full time or significant PT hours.

We would be pissed off if someone didn't tell us they couldn't do full time until offer stage, I think we would retract the offer but not because we couldn't figure out a way to make it work - for us it's a trust thing and a team thing - suggests someone who puts themselves first to get what they want/need because the conversation might not go their way -.and that for us is a deal breaker. Other companies might not care so much about the team first principle though.