How to request job share on a full-time job application

clearmydebts

Hi,

I was just wondering if someone could help me. I am currently on maternity leave, with my work contract due to end a few weeks after I return so I am starting to look at other jobs.

I have seen a job I really like but it is full-time. I want to return to work on a 3 day week as I want to spend time with my baby as well.

This job application deadline is tomorrow evening at 5pm. Usually I would email and ask if they would consider a job share application but I have only seen the advert now. I am required to submit my CV and a cover letter.

I wonder should I apply and say nothing until interview (if I was lucky enough to get that far) or should I mention it in the cover letter?

If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful.

Thanks

uknitty

Wanting to work flexible hours can be a plus point for some employers especially if they already have team members on flexi hours and need someone to fit in around their existing teams rota.

I'd mention it briefly in the covering letter - saying something along the lines of " I'm able to take a flexible approach to the hours that I work , to include evenings and weekends if required by the business" This way it appears that you are telling the potential employer what you can offer them rather than what it is that you need from them

If you can only work 25 hours (or however many) then mention that at interview maybe ?

clearmydebts

uknitty wrote: »

Wanting to work flexible hours can be a plus point for some employers especially if they already have team members on flexi hours and need someone to fit in around their existing teams rota.

I'd mention it briefly in the covering letter - saying something along the lines of " I'm able to take a flexible approach to the hours that I work , to include evenings and weekends if required by the business" This way it appears that you are telling the potential employer what you can offer them rather than what it is that you need from them

If you can only work 25 hours (or however many) then mention that at interview maybe ?

That's a really good idea. Thanks for that

Googlewhacker

If I am hiring someone as a full time position and someone I have asked to come for an interview says, 'yeah, I can only do 25 hours' then I would be really annoyed that they have wasted my time.

Tell them what you can do ahead in the letter and go from there, however 99/100 if they are asking for applicants for a full time job then this is what they will want

clearmydebts

Googlewhacker wrote: »

If I am hiring someone as a full time position and someone I have asked to come for an interview says, 'yeah, I can only do 25 hours' then I would be really annoyed that they have wasted my time.

Tell them what you can do ahead in the letter and go from there, however 99/100 if they are asking for applicants for a full time job then this is what they will want

Not in my job sector they don't! They are usually very open to job shares. It's just that this is a different country and I am not too sure on the policy. Having interviewed people myself though, I would prefer to know beforehand too.

I agree with you on letting them know in the letter though. I think I will say that I would prefer a job share but am flexible about hours.

moonberry

I was googling for info on this very same topic and lo and behold mse comes up! I'm in a very similar situation - just coming to the end of mat leave and looking for PT work.

I've applied for a job with the local council which was stated as FT but on the equal opps form there was a tick box for if you are applying for it as a job share. So I completed my application making no mention of wanting to job share, but ticked the box on the equal opps form.

Now I've got to interview stage I've got the dilemma of whether to mention it or not! Is it up to me to tell them, or will HR give them the info from my equal opps form should they decide to offer me the job?

It's a tricky situation! Any advice would be appreciated.

Savvy_Sue

I'd phone and ask HR that question!

clearmydebts

moonberry wrote: »

I was googling for info on this very same topic and lo and behold mse comes up! I'm in a very similar situation - just coming to the end of mat leave and looking for PT work.

I've applied for a job with the local council which was stated as FT but on the equal opps form there was a tick box for if you are applying for it as a job share. So I completed my application making no mention of wanting to job share, but ticked the box on the equal opps form.

Now I've got to interview stage I've got the dilemma of whether to mention it or not! Is it up to me to tell them, or will HR give them the info from my equal opps form should they decide to offer me the job?

It's a tricky situation! Any advice would be appreciated.

How did you get on with that interview Moonberry?

Googlewhacker

clearmydebts wrote: »

How did you get on with that interview Moonberry?

Hows your job hunting going as well?

clearmydebts

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Hows your job hunting going as well?

Not great. Every 1/2 decent job I see is full-time and I when I email to ask if they would consider a job share applicant they email back 'No'! I guess they are more flexible in the UK but defo not in Ireland in my area. It's frustrating

lurkylurky

Too late for this job, but do you know anybody else who also wants to work part-time who you could pair up with and apply for full-time positions together.

I did this with a former colleague (and friend) 6 years ago and we are still together. We work 2.5 days a week each. I job-shared before that when I worked 2 days and my partner worked 3 days.

Good luck with the job search.