Second interview for full-time job. At what stage do I mention part time?

[chickentikka]

I've applied for a job knowing full well that it's a full time position and I only want to do part time. I was hoping they'd want me so much that they'd agree to part time in the end .

I've just been asked for a second interview and I still don't know at what stage I should mention part time. Should I do it now or wait and see if they offer me the job first?

I'd been planning to say that I'm having difficulty arranging child care and can only do part time but I realise now that even if they agreed to that they could easily say only for 3-6 months to give me a chance to sort something out and then they'd expect me to do full time. So then I'm back to square one.

I don't know what to do.

[IdrisTheDragon]

That's great

[megcleary]

Oh well done you how reasonable

[chickentikka]

I forgot to post an update about this. I got the job. They agreed to 25 hours a week from the office and I agreed to an extra hour a day from home. Everyone happy.

[BloodshotEyeballs]

Great, good news! Fingers crossed for the interview...

[flowerybeanbag]

That's absolutely fantastic chickentikka, best of luck!

[ilovemydogandmrobama]

Great! Love it when honesty pays off!

[chickentikka]

Well, they replied today saying that if I'm still happy to attend the interview (which, of course, I am), then we can discuss it all there. So it's good news so far.

[chickentikka]

Thanks for all your advice. I've sent the email and now I'll cross my fingers very tightly.

Flowery - thanks for the link. I would only do 5 hours a day so i could in theory not stop for lunch and just eat when I get home.

[spookyrookie]

Hi chickentikka, the fact that you are able to do 5 days a week albeit a week means it might not be as hard to sell as a more reduced option.

If you are going to email them then stress the positive, how you felt you would be a good candidate for the role and you have a lot to offer, but that you felt it was only fair at this stage to let them know that ideally you would be looking for 9.30 -2.30 each day and would this be something they could consider.

I just feel if you go in with I can only do 22 hours aweek and do let me know if anything else comes up, they won't consider your proposal properly.

[flowerybeanbag]

Have a read about rest breaks here chickentikka, you must have a break somewhere in the middle of your day if you work 6 hours or more.

[chickentikka]

Yes, yes, I think you are all right and I feel bad now that I didn't mention anything earlier. To be honest, it was all very last minute - I saw the job and the closing date had already been but decided to send the CV anyway and they called for an interview the following day.

And I agree that it doesn't look too good to be mentioning either kids or childcare - although they do know I've got kids as I worked there years ago and my old manager spoke to them about me. God, I hope no one from there is reading this - they'd know who I am straightaway.

I'll email them now and say that now I've had a chance to think things through properly I realise that I can't do a full time job at this stage and if this job can't be done in less hours then would they consider me for something else in the future. I can do everyday 9.30 to 2.30, so that's around 25 hours per week if I don't have any lunch breaks or 22.5 if I only take half an hour breaks.

BTW, someone mentioned the other day that you're not allowed to work beyond a certain number of hours a day without having a break. Does anyone know about this?

[BloodshotEyeballs]

I recruit staff quite a lot and think actually I'd be a bit hacked off to have gone through the selection process, whittled you out of others, interviewed you and be looking to interview you again, only for you to write on your acceptance letter that actually you don't want the whole job at all. It's very unfair and can you imagine if you were applying for a job and they tell you at the last minute that actually it's only part time?

You need to tell them asap.

[scottishmummy]

i mean op mention her childcare predicament.not necessarily anyone else.nor should parents feel compelled to do so

but given op knows she only can accomodate pt for a ft post she has to tell them

dont think employers are allowed asked to ask "do you have children" directly.but they cam legitimately ask can you meet service needs eg on call. and usually at the end there is the candidate do you have any questions bit..

[flowerybeanbag]

How part time do you want? If you want to do 4 days rather than 5, or 5 slightly shorter days, that's one thing, and may well be easily doable. If you want to do 3 days or significantly less hours than required in some other way, that's slightly different - that probably requires a more significant adjustment to the job and/or a job share or similar other resource, which at the moment they are obviously not anticipating having to accommodate/provide.

I also don't think 'having difficulty arranging childcare' is either a good thing to say generally or a good reason for wanting part time. Apart from anything else, as you say yourself, if it's just difficulty getting childcare sorted, they will obviously take that to mean a delay in being able to work full time while you get it sorted. You presumably want part time on a permanent basis, so that's not 'difficulty with childcare' that's a (perfectly valid) decision you have made not to want to put your dc in full time nursery or whatever.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Personally have never mentioned childcare or children for that matter in any interview - I have never been asked if I have children and certainly have never volunteered the information.

But actually yes it depends on what sector you are applying for and scottishmummy is right, it is possible that they may amenable.

[scottishmummy]

imo,honesty best policy.openly discuss your childcare needs if you dont they will assume you can do job without other considerations

many public sector etc will job share

if you are upfront that your need for pt is ongoing then that allows them to accomodate if they offer post

dont be avoidant and not raise this pertinent issue.it wont go away and if you already know your needs ,yes you have to tell them

usually at end of any interview is candidate questions etc

raise your specific situation
be specific what you need eg max hours or days you can do

and well done 2nd stage in acompetitive market

[chickentikka]

You've just said out loud (or typed, rather) what I've been trying not to think in my head. I do know I'm making a mistake and you are right about not mentioning childcare at all. Oh dear. I think I should probably get in touch with them before the interview itself.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I don't think it was a good idea for you to have applied for a FT job knowing all the while you wanted PT. I think even if you did tell them you wanted PT hours if they offer it to you, they will retract the offer. I think you are wasting their time tbh.

And would also not say that you are having trouble with finding childcare, FT, PT or whatever, it will set the employer's alarm bells ringing.