Applied full time, but can only do part time

[axolotlfloof]

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?

You have applied for a job you are unable to do. You take the risk of being considered a time waster.

In the last year I’ve applied for and been offered two jobs in this way. In both cases i was invited to a second interview and it was at that stage, before the second interview, that I asked about the possibility of part time. I figured at that stage they were def interested in me but still had other options! In both cases the jobs were 35/36.5 hrs full time and I was asking for 28-30 hours, so not much less than full time. But it is worth a shot!

I think jobs tend to be advertised as full time by default but often, especially in small businesses or the third sector, they are open to saving a bit of money. I made sure to have answers prepared at the second interviews about how I could get the job done in fewer hours, eg by outsourcing some of the tasks. And yes, working from home some days does help to squeeze in the hours.

Hi, Last year I accepted a job that was full time, I usually enquire before applying to see if part time is possible should the job be advertised as full time, mostly, the roles are flexible and it’s usually a possibility. I didn’t bother to ask if this role could be part time as I knew it wasn’t possible. Apart from the full time I really wanted to do the job so I compromised with myself!
I decided to see how I coped with it during probation, haven’t worked full time for 30 years!
Alas, I struggled to get two constructive days off, which was the killer, exhausted with no work life balance. Rarely, got a full weekend off , contrary to what I was told at interview.
Long story short I requested 30 hrs, got turned down, resigned as probation ended.
The company I have just left only ever advertise their jobs as full time , I know many interviewees turn up thinking they can negotiate part time hours and they are always refused.
So ( after all that ! ) I would advise finding out if what you want to do is possible before you take the job, unless you would be prepared to leave if if refused.

I'm sorry but as someone who regularly hires and interviews for new positions, if I advertised something as full time and then spent a few hours (interview prep, interview, post-interview debrief with the other interviewers) on it only to find out you only wanted part time, I'd be very annoyed indeed and immediately reject you. If you got in contact before and explained the situation it would potentially be different depending on the position. But please don't waste others' time.

You should not hu applied unless you can do 40 hours. You are waisting everyone's time. Look for a PT job.

I applied for a job that was advertised as full time, I didn't state it on the application form (as I didn't want to risk being discounted before they'd met me) but at the interview I said I could only work four days as had commitments on a Friday.
I was offered the post and accepted, it'll be two years next week.
Sometimes it does work out if you're the right person for the role and a good fit with the team.

Well in my workplace (huge financial services), there is a bit of equality text added to all job ads that covers consideration of other working patterns so I wouldn’t rule out any role based on number of hours advertised.

@DurhamDurham

I applied for a job that was advertised as full time, I didn't state it on the application form (as I didn't want to risk being discounted before they'd met me) but at the interview I said I could only work four days as had commitments on a Friday. I was offered the post and accepted, it'll be two years next week. Sometimes it does work out if you're the right person for the role and a good fit with the team.

I did the same (only I added to my application) - now 12 years and still PT!

@caringcarer

You should not hu applied unless you can do 40 hours. You are waisting everyone's time. Look for a PT job.

I see what you are saying, however it does seem to have worked for a lot of posters above. I would agree that before interview seems a good idea as it would be a waste of everyone's time if it's not a possibility.

We took on an employee a year ago next week, job advertised at M-F 9-5, 35 hours. She started on that, showed she was bloody brilliant at it, then after 6 months said she was struggling with the balance and asked if she could drop to M-F 9-3. We agreed, she now does 30 hours and I still get the same output.

Could you potentially do something like this?

I got my job applying for FT and then asking for PT when offered. I wanted to do 4 days out of 5, but negotiated on 4.5 days, having alternate Fridays off. After 4 months, they asked if I wanted to go to 4 days, I did and haven't looked back. I think applying for 40 hours if you only want 20 is a bit odd, but if you're prepared to work 30 that seems more reasonable. You risk people think you're time wasting, but they are much more likely to accept PT if you're their favourite candidate after interview.

I'd dazzle them with my personality and skill set before I dropped the bomb of limited availability.

I’d suggest bringing up in the first interview. If you can demonstrate you are a good fit for the role there could be a work around or perhaps another applicant has also suggested PT and a possible job share could be explored. Sell yourself first!

I applied for a FT role recently, told them at the second interview that I currently worked PT and they said there was no reason the job couldn't be done in PT hours and they offered it to me.

I’d have been ok with that as my workplace is pretty flexible. We’re not wedded to 9-5. That said, it depends on the job!