full time / part time - when to raise it in selection process?

[uptight]

Have recently applied for a job that's been advertised as full time but ideally I only want to work part time. It's not just one post but part of a recruitment campaign for accountants in a public sector body. Have been shortlisted and selection process starts next week. Do I do my best, hope I get offered a job and then talk to them about hours and cross my fingers? Or mention it sooner? How pissed off will they be if I try to move the goalposts? Or do you think most public sector bodies would be quite open to discussing hours if they get the right person. I have lots of relevant experience and did almost the same job before babies came along.

[evelynj]

I think if you apply you need to be prepared to work ft if you get it. Is it through an agency? If so, you could talk to someone there?

Depends how much of a deal breaker it is for you & how likely to find another pt post. If not likely, I'd say go ft & then maybe 6 months in when they find out how wonderful you are & irreplaceable, then say it's not working for home & ask if you ca reduce.

I'm dreading trying to find pt work after I have this little one. Also, do you know anyone else you could out forward for jobshare?

Good luck

[uptight]

Yes, that's my back up plan evelyn to do FT for a while and then try to reduce - thanks for your thoughts.

Is this your first baby due? It will all be fine. I'm a strong believer that once a woman has done kids she can do anything. I gave up my FT job when my twins were born 10 years ago, worked PT for a while in a demoted post, hated it, have it up when they were 3. Then bought a franchise for a baby music class business and did that for a few years just to do something, then started another small business and now am just getting back into work "proper". I am scared but believe if I have coped with twins I can cope with anything . Hang in there and good luck!

[somanymiles]

I would mention it at second interview or at end of first if there's only going to be one. Maybe broach it as, "What kind of flexible working do you support here?".

[cerealqueen]

When they offer it to you, that is what i have seen (and what I will be doing myself)
I have seen jobs advertised full time and then people gone into them part time and negotiated work from home, or reduced if not actual part time.
If they want you they will try and negotiate, I think.

[fanjobiscuits]

When they offer gives you most chance of a yes, but if there's no flexibility it may still be a no. So asking earlier means you might save time on both sides IYSWIM? Depends what is most important to you.

[hefner]

I was recently in the same position, applying for a full time job but wanting to work part time. I waited until they offered me the job and then asked if they would consider reducing the hours to 4 days per week. They agreed straight away, but if they had refused I was planning to ask whether they would let me condense full time hours into 4 days per week. This organisation always includes a statement on job adverts saying that they are open to flexible working so I was fairly confident that they wouldn't mind me asking. Does the advert gives any clues to whether they might be flexible?

[MsDeerheart]

provided you are happy with something like 4 days a week- I think its find to wait until the offer - have done a few times - but if its dealbreaker to work full time maybe ask beforehand - but saying that given its public secotor and a number of roles I would probably wait until the offer stage

[Anja1Cam]

I did it when they offered me the job, along the lines of 'yes I'd love to join you, but...' At that time I had the real situation of not being able to up the childcare days - nursery was full on the extra day - old job was 3 days p/w. So we agreed 4 days to start and then I'd up my hours when the nursery space became available. It never did and things developed differently . Must say this is a very flexible employer.

[Twirlbitesruinedmylife]

If its public sector it may have its policy on flexible working available online; this is the case for my local hospital and University. It might help to look at the policy.
Good luck

[KristinaFranziska]

First off, for me it is a matter of integrity to not mislead a future employer. I would feel rubbish pretending I wanted full time when that wasn't my goal.

I feel it would be better to be authentic and state your wishes honestly and to be prepared to negotiate around possibilities.
Public sector is possibly more open to job shares than private, but given a strong case I'm sure any employer can see the advantages!

My suggestion is prepare yourself with a colleague to present yourselves as an employee entity. That way you can overcome most of the objections likely to be put forward by evidencing an already existing relationship.

Maybe you two ladies could do a bit of book keeping together as proof?
You could look at the following website for starters?
www.thejobshareagency.co.uk/

Where else can you source a job share partner?