When to ask for salary range and also flexible working? In interview or after?

[Nomaj]

I have a job interview this week, it’s for a role I’m definitely qualified (if not over qualified) to do.

They are asking for 2 days in the office and 35 hours, at the moment I just can’t do that with school runs etc (husband is a teacher so he amazing for school holidays but pretty useless all other times) Commute would be over an hour and I can make it work one day a week but 2 would be really hard.

I am thinking I will ask for 0.8fte with one day in the office, the job requires some evening and weekend work so actually as I have flexibility for that I’m hoping they will go for 0.8fte but worked over 5 days which will ultimately let me finish early enough to do school run at the end of the day.

The 2 days in the office is company policy so I assume not much flex on this unless you work less than full time.

I have already called the company and asked about flexible working and was told they are supportive of working parents and have many people working different types of contracts and compressed hours etc so I feel positive they might be up for it.

So now I’m wondering when best to ask, at interview I assume?

And then would it be too cheeky to also ask to start at the mid/higher point of the salary range, even though I also want flexibility? And if not when do I ask for that? After an offer?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Wait until they've made you an offer.

Thank you. To ask about both things?

I’d ask for salary range before interview every time. There is absolutely no point in interviewing for a job if the salary range is too low so you wouldn’t accept it anyway.

Are you sure you want a job with such a long commute?

Have you been talking to a recruiter? It does help to be clear that you wouldn’t consider a salary below £X.

If they aren’t going to do that, and insist everyone starts on the minimum, there’s no point wasting your time with an interview.

I already know the salary range, it’s a £5k range so ideally nearer the middle-top end of that would be what I’m after.

I don’t really want the commute at all, but I actually think a day in the office would be good for me.

Are you going through a recruiter? No point going to interview if they aren't open to the role being flexible.

I'd be really annoyed wasting time interviewing for a role only to find out that the candidate has no intention of meeting the basic stipulations of the job.

If you want part time you need to state thst before interview. I know you say you've asked for flexibility but that doesn't make it clear that you aren't looking to do their required hours.

I don't think you can ask for less than 2 office days either. Its not too much to ask that someone show up 2 days a week. Just because you're used to full time WFH then doesn't mean they don't think it's generous to offer only 2 office days.

It sounds like a waste of time for you and them.

As for salary them I'd have no issue with someone explaining at interview how they bring more to the role and therefore merit towards the high end of the salary range.

You may as well ask for everything you want. If you aren't particularly bothered about getting the job the only way it'd going to work for you is make your stipulations and see if they'd accept you.

Thanks, all good points.

I know they are open to part time and I know that if you work part time they don’t then also expect the 2 days in the office, that only applies if you are full time.

I am mostly wondering when to bring this up, in terms of my specifics.

I don't think you can ask for less than 2 office days either.

It's perfectly reasonable for that to be pro-rated if working part time. Everything else is pro-rated when part time.

I was in a similar position to you when I applied for my current job. The position was advertised as FT but that PT would be considered. Also that they had hybrid working. The office commute was 1:10hrs.
I knew I didn’t want to work anymore 0.8, ideally 0.6, and to be able to wfh as much as possible. Because hybrid and PT was mentioned in the job description, I knew they were amenable to it and having recruited a lot myself, I thought the specifics that could be negotiated would be down to the strength of candidate.

I waited until they offered me the job and managed to get 3 days, I travel in maybe once every few months and while I was at it managed to negotiate an increase of 10% of over the top of the band. It’s a senior role but I was bringing a lot of experience to it so felt I had good negotiating power. So if you already know they are open to flexible working then I’d wait for the offer.

Sorry for typos!

Wait till you have an offer I think. If they offer you bottom end of salary say no you need top end.

Personally, I'd have an informal chat prior to the interview, if possible.

I changed role last year. It should have been office based half the week, 100 miles from where I live. I spoke with the interviewer before the interview to find out whether there was any flex in this. There was so I continued with the process.

I also wanted more than the lowest point of the scale so asked about that too.

I was successful at interview and we agreed a mid scale point and I work from home 5 days a week, my official base is much closer to my home than the original 100 miles too.

My employer is incredibly flexible but I'd still consider mentioning the hours you want prior to interview. We're interviewing in my team and part time will be considered. However, we wouldn't be able to accommodate shorter days to finish early. Late starts, compressed hours, 9 day fortnights etc etc would be possible. If you need an early finish, I wouldn't waste your time without knowing if that is feasible.