Interview flexibility

[swissrollisntswiss]

I’m currently recruiting for two positions. I work a mix of office and home based but I am happy to be in the office on any day that works for the candidates. However, a number of the applicants can only do early (7am) or late (6pm). I am assuming they don’t want to take any time out from their current employment.

I know it’s not the easiest situation to take time out for interviews. I am not trying to be difficult, I have childcare constraints so being available at these times requires additional childcare organisation.

How flexible would you be? Part of me questions their interest in the role/company if they are not willing to work with us to secure an interview. I am not bowled over by the cvs but I really do need to fill these positions asap.

They are completely unreasonable....

I am a manager and I won't interview anyone who can't fit in an interview between 9am - 5.30pm.

We offer Zoom interview as well as face to face options and I can't see why someone can't manage to fit in a remote interview in their lunch break.

We haven't had any issues yet when it comes to finding good candidates.

I am in London and it is still the case that if one person is being difficult about interview times there are another 3 that won't be...so we don't need to bend over backwards for that one person.

That's fine if you've got lots of strong candidates, but that isn't the situation that OP is in.

Could you give more notice for interviewees?
When advertising in future, pop an intended interview date on the job advert.

One time I interviewed at a large company, got a lunch time interview which the Manager interviewing me made shorter. (it was for a fixed term contract to be fair and I was the temp having to get the next job so I'd have walked over hot coles to get it, there was every motivation to attend)

I'd never dream ask for an out of hours interview but there are people who just expect it.

I often joked when I was unemployed I'd typically get interview times the employed me would have rather had and vise versa! Always the way.

@Twitterwhooooo ''That's fine if you've got lots of strong candidates, but that isn't the situation that OP is in.''

You should not interview/hire candidates who are simply not what you are looking for.

You should instead look at whether you worded your ad and job spec correctly, whether you advertised it in the correct places and whether you are offering a decent salary. Then you can re-advertise and look for the right candidate.

If you need someone in a hurry you might be better off getting and agency to send you a temp until you find the right person to fill the position long -term.

Seeing mediocre candidates, bending over backwards to accommodate their demands and hiring someone who is unlikely to perform the job that well is not the way to go...

How could people do it on a lunch break? Where I work, there’s usually someone comes in to have their lunch/make a drink/get something in/out of their locker. There’s certainly nowhere in my work location where I could guarantee being undisturbed.

If there’s plenty of notice given it’s not too bad, but a lot of places seem to give a week or less; we’re supposed to request leave with two weeks notice.

Online interviews, saves people factoring in travel to the office as well and more likely to be able to make it work.

[quote wingscrow]@Twitterwhooooo ''That's fine if you've got lots of strong candidates, but that isn't the situation that OP is in.''

You should not interview/hire candidates who are simply not what you are looking for.

You should instead look at whether you worded your ad and job spec correctly, whether you advertised it in the correct places and whether you are offering a decent salary. Then you can re-advertise and look for the right candidate.

If you need someone in a hurry you might be better off getting and agency to send you a temp until you find the right person to fill the position long -term.

Seeing mediocre candidates, bending over backwards to accommodate their demands and hiring someone who is unlikely to perform the job that well is not the way to go...[/quote]
I don't disagree with you, but OP wants to fill the vacancies asap so may not have the luxury of time and resources to do as you suggest.

Many employers don't have the luxury of having lots of good potential candidates applying, and lots more in the wings if they can't make an interview time.

I guess if it was as simple as 'oh just interview the ones that can make office hours and you're sure to find the right people' OP wouldn't have posted.

Seeing mediocre candidates, bending over backwards to accommodate their demands and hiring someone who is unlikely to perform the job that well is not the way to go... I agree, but it's bloody hard at the moment - where have all the good people gone?

I would not interview at 7am. The candidates need to be more flexible. I also think you cannot beat interviewing in person, depending on what the role is.

@Getmeoutaherenow I don’t know what sector/profession you’re in but I’ve just had a quick look on Indeed for my area and pretty much everything is min wage or (only) just above. Employers seem to want a LOT of experience/flexibility but the wage doesn’t reflect this. Hours have also got longer; when I was growing up in the early ‘80s my dad had an office job and finished at 5 Mon-Thurs and 3 on Fridays and that wasn’t a special arrangement, it was standard. Now it always seems to be 9-5:30 with no flexibility at all.

A place I worked a few years ago was really again WFH/flexible hours even though, apart from days I was presenting (I was in staff training) there was no need for me to be in the office. There was actually an article (Guardian, I think) that said as technology use has increased, WFH and flexibility has decreased. Too many managers are fans of presenteeism.

A few people I know started doing Deliveroo etc in the pandemic, some earned a lot. They did it properly and registered with HMRC and were still better off than doing a regular job as they can choose their own hours etc.

[quote ChrissyPlummer]@Getmeoutaherenow I don’t know what sector/profession you’re in but I’ve just had a quick look on Indeed for my area and pretty much everything is min wage or (only) just above. Employers seem to want a LOT of experience/flexibility but the wage doesn’t reflect this. Hours have also got longer; when I was growing up in the early ‘80s my dad had an office job and finished at 5 Mon-Thurs and 3 on Fridays and that wasn’t a special arrangement, it was standard. Now it always seems to be 9-5:30 with no flexibility at all.

A place I worked a few years ago was really again WFH/flexible hours even though, apart from days I was presenting (I was in staff training) there was no need for me to be in the office. There was actually an article (Guardian, I think) that said as technology use has increased, WFH and flexibility has decreased. Too many managers are fans of presenteeism.

A few people I know started doing Deliveroo etc in the pandemic, some earned a lot. They did it properly and registered with HMRC and were still better off than doing a regular job as they can choose their own hours etc.[/quote]
We are in a highly skilled area - we don't pay anyone anywhere near min wage, even the grads are well paid. We are looking for very talented people - they have always been hard to find - but now is especially challenging.

Thank you for your reply @Getmeoutaherenow. I’m glad that your company pays a decent wage, too many don’t and want the moon on a stick! I guess with the cost of degrees and the unis charging full fees the last couple of years, even though there was little/no in-person teaching, people may have decided to train for alternative careers or go into apprenticeships.

I wish I had some other sort of qualification; my hairdresser and beautician have never been busier!

@ChrissyPlummer I am currently trying to hire for a range of jobs from £30K to £100K and every single job is offered with flexible hours and location.

Nonetheless we are having to pay huge sums to recruitment agencies and are waiting weeks and weeks to get even a few candidates to interview because recruitment is unbelievably hard just now.

Best time ever though if you fancy a new job.

[quote ChrissyPlummer]@Getmeoutaherenow I don’t know what sector/profession you’re in but I’ve just had a quick look on Indeed for my area and pretty much everything is min wage or (only) just above. Employers seem to want a LOT of experience/flexibility but the wage doesn’t reflect this. Hours have also got longer; when I was growing up in the early ‘80s my dad had an office job and finished at 5 Mon-Thurs and 3 on Fridays and that wasn’t a special arrangement, it was standard. Now it always seems to be 9-5:30 with no flexibility at all.

A place I worked a few years ago was really again WFH/flexible hours even though, apart from days I was presenting (I was in staff training) there was no need for me to be in the office. There was actually an article (Guardian, I think) that said as technology use has increased, WFH and flexibility has decreased. Too many managers are fans of presenteeism.

A few people I know started doing Deliveroo etc in the pandemic, some earned a lot. They did it properly and registered with HMRC and were still better off than doing a regular job as they can choose their own hours etc.[/quote]
Totally agree with this. The job I have just left is advertising for my position. They want experienced advisors, with complex knowledge for little more than minimum wage and a fixed term contract. then wonder why they get no decent applicants ! I've just seen Asda offering £11.50 an hour for stacking shelves.

@HundredMilesAnHour

I do feel for the candidates but I also expect them to meet me halfway, e.g 4.30pm start so they only have to take an hour or so out of work.

I think it depends on your industry as to whether a 4.30pm start is only taking "an hour or so out of work" and also where the candidates have to travel from. A 4.30pm could start could actually mean having to almost take a half day! In my office-based industry interviews are usually 8am or 6pm onwards, or occasionally lunchtimes if people work nearby. 6pm is not considered late! I don't think you're being entirely fair here OP but I guess you're the interviewer so you can be an unreasonable as you want.

Yeah a 4:30pm start would be extremely inconvenient for me for example, my office hours are 9 to 6, a 4:30pm start would most likely mean I'd have to leave my office at 3:30pm, so shortly after lunch, I have no idea what I would have to say to my boss for her to allow me to leave the office at 3:30pm