FT ad but I want PT

[MilestoneMum]

Seen a great job advertised but it is FT and realistically I would only accept PT.

Please tell me not to waste their time and mine by applying.

I guess if they were looking for a job share they would have said so.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

It would help if you knew someone else interested in the role but if you don't ask, you don't get. It's a long shot but if you had the right skills and they don't have candidates that are suitable or they really like you and can find someone to supplement your hours they might go for it. Depends on the size of the firm.

There's PT and PT hours though. It's one thing to only want to work 3 days a week, entirely another to work a 9.30-3 with school holidays off.

[sozzap]

It's worth a try I applied for a full time job which I was over qualified for and sold my experience and skills and managed to negotiate 3 days a week. Obviously depends on what the job is if it is a 'bums on seats' job might be more challenging if it's is more strategic/thinking type role easier to negotiate part time in my experience. Anyway why don't you ask - they can only say no.

[bloodyteenagers]

You can ask. They can say no.
However, please don't do this. Accept the job as a full time role. Give no indication that you would prefer part time. Then a month later demand part time.

[SummerSazz]

I did exactly the same as Sozzap. - overqualified for role and negotiated 24hrs

Go for it

[Queazy]

Accept it FT and then 'demand' part-time?!?! They don't need to meet your 'demand' based on business need, so don't do that!

I recently spoke to a CEO upfront about a job and said I wanted to work 4 days p/wk and would they consider this. I got to second interview stage, and tho the better candidate got the job, I know my p/t request def stood against me as they admitted they'd always thought of it as a FT role. In hindsight, I would have actually requested 4 days at offer stage, if it had gotten that far, and would have even offered it on a 6 month trial basis. Go for the job if you'll consider 4 days. I honestly think few jobs can be done in 3 unless a) designed that way or b) with job share or team backing. Realistically, with 4 days, you're doing a FT role very, very speedily!

[gallicgirl]

My workplace recently recruited 2 people who in the interview understood that it was a full time post and what the salary would be and were happy with this.
When offered the posts, one demanded part time hours and the other wanted a higher salary. Both were refused and we now have to recruit again.

If you do ask, at least do it before or during interview.

[Jinsei]

Accept the job as a full time role. Give no indication that you would prefer part time. Then a month later demand part time.

Sorry, but this is bad advice. You can't just "demand" part time work, and the employer can easily say no, they just have to demonstrate a business need why pt wouldn't work. In any case, I don't think you're even entitled to request flexible working until you've been in the job for 6 months. Obviously, you could ask before that but I don't think they would have to consider it.

[Pico2]

I applied to a FT role, stating that I wanted 4 days, and I got it. They seemed not to notice to PT thing on my recruitment consultant's email, so while I didn't attempt to deceive them, they had met me before realising that I wanted PT. I knew a few of the other candidates professionally and I can see why they chose me PT over them FT. And they save money with me being PT.

So I'd apply, but be honest, or give them a ring to find out if it is worth applying.

[Pico2]

Don't be disheartened Collie - it is possible to get a PT job that way, as I have found.

[Gen35]

collie the person that wrote that response was an idiot, they'd probably have been awful to work with! I'm not sure what the best approach is, I got a ft job and negotiated 4 days pw after 6 months. I was always told not to bring up terms and conditions pre offer stage, so personally I'd try and negotiate for any flexibility then but I can see why some people prefer to try upfront but risk being automatically deselected.

[BarbaraPalmer]

i think this sort of enquiry is best made at the first interview stage, during Q&A (and it should be an enquiry, not a stipulation or a demand). At this stage you've had the opportunity to show them that you're an excellent candidate, but equally they've not wasted too much time pursuing the appointment process, or turning down other candidates. IMO if you do it before interview they just dismiss you out of hand without giving much thought to whether the job can be done more flexibly, but later than first interview is dicking them around too much.

[Igggi]

I have applied for a full time job specifying I wished to work part-time. I didn't get it, but I did get an interview - not sure what that shows really!

[PicandMinx]

I was part of the recruitment team to set up a GP practice. I cannot tell you just how annoying it is to advertise several full-time vacancies, do the paper-sift, sit through umpteen interviews and then to find out that the successful candidate wants to work part-time.

Please don't waste peoples time by applying for a full-time job in the hope that it may become part-time in the future.

[CharlesRyder]

I got my current position which was advertised as FT on a PT basis. In the opening paragraph my covering letter with 'please only consider my application if you think I could meet the needs of the role working 0.6' and gave reasons etc. I felt that was fairest as I wouldn't be taking up their time on my application if it would be a definite no on the hours.

I have just applied for another position using the same trick so I hope it is successful twice!

Ignore that email colly whoever wrote it is a dick unpleasant.

[Nosleeptillgodknowswhen]

Do you think the role could be done PT or as a job share? (I'm guessing yes otherwise you wouldn't consider it). In that case, go ahead and apply saying you would love to work for them but can only do part time or job share. What have you got to lose? I did just that for what was advertised as full time and got the job on a part time basis. I think you have to be clear from the start though.