Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Applied full time, but can only do part time

41 replies

axolotlfloof · 20/03/2022 19:41

I have applied for a job which sounds perfect.
I fit the person spec.
It's quite niche but I have relevant experience.
It pays OK.
I have been called for interview.
So far, so good.
But it is full time. I don't have the availability for a full time role, with both existing work, and family commitments.
I would like to ask if they would consider this role p/t, or as a job share.
Should I ask before, after or during the interview?

OP posts:

Acheyknees · 20/03/2022 19:46

They advertised the job as full time. Why did you apply if you can't work full time?
If you got the job could you work full time initially and then request job share?

TheArtfulBlogger · 20/03/2022 19:49

How PT do you want to go as opposed to what they want?

BlanketsBanned · 20/03/2022 19:50

Before the interview so you dont waste your or their time.

Russell19 · 20/03/2022 19:50

I'd personally call and ask before. Wasting everyone's time if they say no.

Theworldisfullofgs · 20/03/2022 19:51

You can ask. How big is the difference in hours?

Steelesauce · 20/03/2022 19:51

I really think you should discuss at interview. If you are unable to do full time at all, it is best to be honest.

drpet49 · 20/03/2022 19:51

* Before the interview so you dont waste your or their time.*

^This

ToiletGambles · 20/03/2022 19:53

I did the same thing and told them before the interview, they said full time only. SIL did the same and they interviewed her, gave her the job and let her do it part time. Not the same role but for the same company so I was little miffed but you really need to tell them before hand.

Original poster

axolotlfloof · 20/03/2022 19:53

That's sort of my thinking, but realistically I am not sure I have 40 spare hours in my week. The zero hours contract I have been on for years has virtually no work at the moment (industry specific). However I have other minor work commitments I don't want to give up.
I would really like 20-30 hours.
I applied because it fits so well (apart from the hours).
Imagine I have experience in 3 very different industries (eg education, care and finance) and this job requires skills and experience in all of these.
I think I will see if I can discuss it with them before the interview.

OP posts:

Forshorttheycallmecomp · 20/03/2022 19:57

I have applied for full time jobs and asked for them at four days; I’ve also been the hiring manager in this situation.

I would email now and ask if they would consider part time. To be honest if they want full time, they’re going to want you 30 hours more than 20 hours, but it may be advantageous, depending on the type of role.

Acheyknees · 20/03/2022 19:57

My depth advertised a job recently, it was clearly advertised as full time and the office hours were 9 to 5. We man a help line that is open until 5. Not one applicant was prepared to work until 5 (even for one day in the week). One wanted to work 8 to 4 every day and one wanted every Friday off. We wouldn't have interviewed any of them if we had known in advance.

gogohm · 20/03/2022 20:02

Tell them in advance, they may be interested in a shorter time contract and it means the interview will start with you both on the same page. If you are a good candidate they will listen

Original poster

axolotlfloof · 20/03/2022 20:03

I will email tomorrow as there are some more details about the role I would like to know before interview.
I am hoping they will interview me anyway.
But probably best to find out now.

OP posts:

titchy · 20/03/2022 20:15

Is it really 40 hours for FT? Most are 35 or 37? In which case offering 28 or 30 isn't really that far off. In any case yes let them know before interview. Tbh you probably should have said at application stage but too late now.

yorkshireteaspoonie · 20/03/2022 20:40

Sorry but this is really annoying to find out afterwards. Recently interviewed someone in person which took a great deal of time to organise with all our office covid restrictions and getting a rare slot in 'head of depts' diary to co interview... for candidate to turn around and say they wanted to WFH exclusively once offered the job. Total waste of our time and further delayed our recruitment.

Be upfront

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 20/03/2022 20:41

I'd let them know in advance that you are looking for a job share. Easier for them to consider a 50/50 split with another applicant than to see whether the role would work for 30 hours for example.

Ahead of interview.

BotterMon · 20/03/2022 21:06

I'd be really pissed off if a candidate turned up for a FT post and during interview said they could only do PT. Definitely tell them before you all waste time.

40 hours is still quite normal to those saying 35-37 hours. Depends on industry.

lljkk · 20/03/2022 21:11

I have only been comfortable to go to interview and perform well at interview if I asked in advance (and they said ok) if the job could be available for somewhat fewer hours, say 3.5 or 4days/week instead of full time. Can't remember how I phrased it, but 'a bit less' than full time.

I would not be able to focus at interview if I was afraid I would piss them off by suddenly announcing I couldn't do FT.

PuppyMonkey · 20/03/2022 21:16

I think you should have asked before you applied.

Meredusoleil · 20/03/2022 21:26

I am about to start a new job which was advertised as ft, but they have agreed for me to do it pt (3 days a week). BUT I rang them BEFORE I even sent in my application to check if they would be willing to accept pt, in order not to waste anyone's time.

Definitely ask before the interview imho.

lljkk · 20/03/2022 21:36

i think it's fine to ask after application but before interview. Then they know how much you have to offer & can compare you to whatever other candidates offer (if they have any other applicants; applicants have advantages in many jobs right now).

I think for the last 2 jobs where I did this (I asked for PT when job was advertised FT), I was only or almost only applicant. My hand was much stronger than I knew.

GivenchyDahhling · 20/03/2022 21:42

The problem is there’s no universal answer; as you can see on the replies here some people will be pissed and feel their time is wasted; others much more flexible. I see it from both sides as a HM for my department, right now for example we need FT and really really could not accommodate PT due to other people on PT and reduced workloads for various reasons. So regardless of what stage a person asks for PT it would be a no. But when I was hiring last September for the right person we definitely could have been flexible as we were in a different situation, even though the preference - and the job advert - was for FT, and so I would have been happy to have been asked at interview or after.

Hyenaormeercat · 20/03/2022 21:44

I recently started a new job..just said full time..turns out they expected 45 hours plus ..they evaded the question but as I needed the job I took it, now looking for something else.

Gardeningdream · 20/03/2022 21:45

You need to be clear on what you want. There’s a big difference between twenty and thirty hours. Be clear on what you want and ask for it. You can’t ask for thirty then say well actually I meant twenty,

Original poster

axolotlfloof · 20/03/2022 22:58

Part of the issue is its hybrid. I could work more hours the more it is at home as that would save 5 plus hrs per week.
So I think I need to find out more about what they are expecting.
Thanks for the help.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2