Should I interview for a job share?

[Havanawinter]

I currently work 0.6 and my FTE equivalent is £35000. I’ve seen and applied for my dream role and have been invited for interview. It’s being advertised as a job share (0.5) and the salary is £45.5k FTE. It’s an internal promotion for a role I’ve waited to see come up for years. However, I am so torn about whether to go for the interview. My youngest child starts school in September and I always pictured I’d increase my hours to 0.8 when that happens. Tbh we could do with the money. However, if I was successful at this interview and went down to 0.5, although I’d actually be earning slightly more now, it would mean I couldn’t as easily increase my hours (and possibly not at all) come September.

I just don’t know what to do. I’d really appreciate some MN wisdom and perspective!

Getting paid to work less? Sounds like a win to me. You could always find another position for the other 0.5 at a different company when your kid is settled into school. I think you will enjoy meeting other mums for coffee on your days off though. Enjoy the freedom.

I'd apply for it. You'd be paid more for less hours.

You won't be any worse off pay wise going to 0.5 so can you take a longer term view? If you stay at your current grade and increase your hours will you be stuck there?

If the job is a promotion would it allow you to apply for other posts at that level which are more hours in a year or 2, inside or outside your organisation?

Do you know what the situation with the job sharer is? Is she semi retired so will go completely, or might she want to look for full time work in the future?

See when you put it like that it does seem like a no brainer!

Did you go for the job OP? And did you get it?

Yes and yes! I start on Monday!