Applying for a new job - when should I ask about flexible working arrangements?

[Nellycake]

Hi, I put in a last minute application for a post at a partner organisation (NHS) and I've been offered an interview.

I work 4 days a week in my current role and would like to do the same, if I get this new job. When would be best to bring this up? The job has been advertised as full time - I could work at least 30hrs and possibly 32 (out of 37.5).

I'm worried that if I mention it at interview, it might put them off employing me.

Any suggestions?

I think you have to bring this up at interview otherwise what is the alternative ?

You could get offered job - accept F/t then a few months down the line - once you get a permanent contact ask for flexible working - hey not a bad idea ! Depends how much you want the job I suppose !

Otherwise - ask before interview about possibel job share ? They may not ahve thought about it - or there maybe someone else who could job share -

IMO - be upfront - saves probelms in the long term ...

You could do the right thing which is to ask them at the interview why the job hasn't been advertised as suitable for job share/part time working and ask if they would consider employing you for 30 or 32 hours.

Will interviewers know that you only work 4 days a week in your current job - might prompt them to ask you questions about whether you can work full time - prepare for how to deal with this.

You could be economical with the truth and say that you are seriously considering going back to work full time and this is the first job that's come up...

Or you could let them offer you the job first, if you're the best candidate, and then put them on the spot with your questions. Not great but it's a bit of a game of chicken as far as I'm concerned - some employers are really up for flexible working and others just can't be bothered.

How would you sell your 4 day week to the employer - who's going to do the rest of the work???

I disagree that the right thing is to ask them why they haven't advertised it differently. How they choose to define and advertise a job is up to them and questioning them about why they didn't do something different isn't up to you imo.

What is up to you is to wow them so much at interview that they will consider alternatives.

I think as you are able to do almost full time, wow them at first interview so they're interesting and excited by you, then raise it at second interview.

Thanks

I suspect that this'll be a one job interview, so I'll only have the one shot at nailing it.

I indicated in my application that I currently work part time. If the only option is to do this job 5 days a week, I won't be able to take it (basically, although I want them to be flexible, I can't be!)

It was advertised as full time (37.5hrs) and as an NHS organisation, they are supposed to be open to flexible working, but I know that in reality, this can count against you.

I think I need to raise the issue of flexible working at the interview, because it's the grown up thing to do, although I'm still anxious that it might count against me if it's a close call.

On the other hand, I could interview horribly and not stand a chance so none of this will be a problem!!!

If they know you work part time that's really positive. They have shortlisted you anyway and will be expecting to discuss it. If I were interviewing you I'd raise it myself, but they should at least be expecting it to come up.

I don't know if it's the same in the NHS as the council but if it is (and it may be), there is a work life balance policy. This means that almost every job (whether advertised as full time or not) can be considered to be part-time/job-share.

When you fill out your application form you state whether you want the job as a job share or not and the interviewers don't see that bit of the application form. You don't need to (and I was advised not to)mention this at interview but only when you'd been offered the job. If you want to do the job part time they then need to consider whether the job could reasonably be done as a job share (and most jobs can be).

My previous two jobs at a Local Authority have been part time and I didn't reveal my intentions for job-share at the interview. Of course with your aim to do 30 hours a week, they could reasonably say that they couldn't fill the position for one day a week but if it was a Local Authority they would have to 'consider' alternatives such as 3 day week, making up the hours from home, completing the job in 30 hours a week etc.

I really think it's likely the NHS works in a similar way and it would be worth speaking to the personnel dept before applying (anonomously) and asking whether they have a flexible/work life balance policy. If they do, ask them whether your intention to job share, would be on the part of the application form that your employers see.

Last year I applied for a job which was advertised full-time, wanting to do it part-time. here is my thread asking about what to do

I didn't mention it on my application, but they knew I was working part time and during the interview I mentioned my young children to explain why I'd left previous job which required a commute and was working part-time from home. Then at the end of the interview, after I'd made a good impression, when they asked if I had any questions for them I asked if they would consider the job as part-time/jobshare. I was subsequently offered the job working 24hrs (which was more than I really wanted but I'd said that was my maximum). I'm now doing the job and I do wish they'd done it as a jobshare because I'm nearly having to do a full-time job in part-time hours, however I still have time to fit in some of the school runs and I'm very glad I took the opportunity and was assertive about working part time.

I'm a manager in the NHS and personally I would prefer if you first came for an informal visit and discussed the part time request issue then. If I were impressed by someone face to face and knew upfront of their hours restrictions I would be more willing to accommodate them. Also, on most NHS application forms there is a box you can tick for job share applications. I would be a bit miffed if I offered you the post and only then were told of your intentions.

Its interesting you say that mincepiemadness because it is actively encouraged within local authorities to not disclose this intention of jobsharing until you have been offered the job (to promote fair recruitment etc). For the same reason the interviewers don't see your age or sex before the interview.

I also manage a team (within a local authority not nhs) and have interviewed/employed 15 people within the last 3 years - 1 of these was a job share for a full time post. Like me, she didn't disclose this until offered the job and I was grateful for this because it may well have influenced our views although unintentionally. (Obviously the interviewing and employing for the other job share was time consuming etc.)

I understand if the NHS is different but I do suspect it might not be and have a similar view. It might annoy the interviewers afterwards but I think to disclose this beforehand (unless the policy is not the same) might be a bit unwise.

where I work, in local government, you wouldn't be allowed to come for an informal visit, or talk to anyone connected with the interview/job selection in case you got an unfair advantage/impressed an interviewer outside of interview etc etc - I think it's nuts, but it's what we do...

I work for a charity - we would expect applicants to be up front about their availability - usually applicants have a failry detailed chat about the job on the phone when they ask for an application form. If people don't want to find out before making an application what is actually involved and share with us what they can offer they tend to put in forms that do not address the job or person specification properly.

That's interesting bosch, in the NHS (especially in senior positions or even positions other than very junior) I would say you're at a real disadvantage by not first arranging an informal visit. Glad I don't work in local government!