Should I even apply? (Re: hours/flexibility)

[roselune]

I'm halfway through writing my application for a job role that sounds perfect, except I would struggle to be in the office one of the days they want.

For context, it's a part time role and hybrid with an expectation to be in the office part of the day on two specific weekdays. I can easily make one of the days but not the other. I could potentially change things around to do that in a few months time but currently not for various reasons.

I don't know if I'm just wasting everyone's time applying? 😕 I'm just thinking I could apply and if they really want me for the role then they might be a bit flexible or give me time to make the changes I need so I could have the office day? Or I could apply and ask about flexibility if I get offered an interview? They are asking for a specific qualification/experience that will mean they probably won't get hundreds of applications.

Is there a clear reason why you need to be in person on those days and times (eg you are a teacher and that’s when class happens) or is it just organisation policy (eg that’s the team meeting day but potentially you could dial in)?

If it’s the second I would apply, go right through the process and then if they offer and ask for start date say x date if I can work remotely on tue afternoon for a couple of months, otherwise y date. And let them decide from there.

Remember you’ll probably be a month further forward by the time they offer. Could you also look at a couple of ad hoc solutions so it isn’t every week ( eg if it’s childcare related do you have a friend who could do one pickup, could dh use holiday, could you use holiday etc)

I would still apply. And I wouldn't ask about flexibility until you're offered the role. Unless it is something like being a paramedic or a horse riding instructor where you can't perform the role from home those two afternoons, there is always flexibility for the right candidate.

Remember a job is as much about you as it is about them! If they won't bear with you for a short period while you rearrange your life for them I wouldn't want to work for them anyway!

apply, get job then negotiate what you want
if they don't agree then sack it off
nothing ventured, nothing gained

be fine 👍 everything in life is a negotiation

I'd apply but make it clear in your covering letter or somewhere on the form that, for the first few months, you can't do specified day in the office but can do any other day and, if required, can make alternative arrangements so that you can do the specified day from a particular date.
A year or so ago we advertised a 20hr per week role and made it clear that it was completely flexible other than six hours which had to be at specific times on two specific days. We drew this to the candidate's attention at both first and second round interviews and double checked it wouldn't be a problem. It was incredibly annoying when the person we offered the job to then said she couldn't do one of the specified sessions. We withdrew the offer. She also seemed really annoyed with us! It's a real pity as she otherwise seemed excellent and, when a similar role came up when those specific hours weren't required, we would have contacted her except that we feel that we had a lucky escape as, if she could lie so blatantly to a simple question of "can you work these hours", what else would she lie about?

Thank you all. The day they need is a team meeting I think, as there's nothing else within the job duties that would require being physically in the office on a specific day. They haven't been any more specific about it either, the advert simply says "hybrid over 5 days with part of Tuesday and Thursday in the office at XXX location". It's 20 hrs a week over 5 days job, so part of the day could be as little as an hour or two...

There's a possibility I could squeeze it in if the timing is right in any case, as I am free part of the day in the afternoon.

It's a good point that the usual notice period gives me 4 weeks anyway so I wouldn't need to move my other commitment immediately.

I think I'm going to apply and check in with them if I get invited to an interview. I wouldn't want to take away the opportunity from someone else to be interviewed or to waste the employer's time, nor put myself through the stress of a job interview if it's a definite deal-breaker.

If they've specifically stated days they need you in, there's probably a reason for that, but they might be prepared to manage short term "for the right candidate". Ask them.

Is there a contact on the job application? I would check before applying I'm going to do the same with a job I like the look of