Full time job but I want part time hours

BoBoDobie

I've spotted an admin job with the Police. They are advertised as being 'full time hours' but then in the actual detail job description/person doc, against the bit saying 'Suitable for job share or part time' it says 'Yes'.

I only want a couple of days a week really. At what point would you mention this? There is nothing on the job app to specify that. Would you just leave until if you got to interview stage?

sniggings

I would try and ask a general question about it rather than seem to be requesting a job share at the interview stage.

More chance of changing your hours once in the job than before even getting it.

BoBoDobie

sniggings wrote: »

I would try and ask a general question about it rather than seem to be requesting a job share at the interview stage.

More chance of changing your hours once in the job than before even getting it.

I know what you mean but I have a very small child dependant on me, I couldn't even entertain full time hours if only for a short time basis. I'm only available for 2 days max and anymore would be a deal breaker.

Spirit_2

If you can find someone else to apply with, then make a joint application as a job share.

When we have applicants requesting part-tme for full time roles we will consider it, and often agree some reduction. An applicant that wanted two days max (for a 5 day job) would be much more difficult to accommodate and it would be dependant on the needs of the role, hours of service , likliehood of filling remaining hours, investment in training, continuity of communications from day to day.

You need to think of these things too and be prepared to make suggestions as to how you think it could work and any advantages (to them) you can see such as cross cover for holidays or absence etc.

sniggings

BoBoDobie wrote: »

I know what you mean but I have a very small child dependant on me, I couldn't even entertain full time hours if only for a short time basis. I'm only available for 2 days max and anymore would be a deal breaker.

then you have no choice but to say at the interview, at least this way you get your answer.

BoBoDobie

Crikey, that's a lot of onus on me I didn't expect. I wouldn't dream of applying for a full time if it didn't specify part time/job share hours. I don't know anyone else who would want to job share. Maybe it's too much then to apply for as I don't have those resources. Thanks Spirit.

LittleMrsThrifty

Why not call and ask? You don't need to give your name, simply say you've noticed a job has been advertised and it suggested it would be suitable for part time; how part time? Would you consider an application from someone who only wanted two days a week?

I had a friend in a similar position recently. She had an interview for a job which was full time but she wanted part time (3 or 4 days a week). I said that if she would consider it on a full time basis then keep quiet, go to the interview and then if offered the job ask if she could go part time and if the answer was no just deal with it. If she wouldn't consider it on a full time basis then she should ask first (to save wasting anyone's time) and if the answer was no then not to even bother. If yes, all good.

Spirit_2

BoBoDobie wrote: »

Crikey, that's a lot of onus on me I didn't expect. I wouldn't dream of applying for a full time if it didn't specify part time/job share hours. I don't know anyone else who would want to job share. Maybe it's too much then to apply for as I don't have those resources. Thanks Spirit.

I don't think it is a lot of onus on you, they are willing to consider job shares and part-time (public sector pretty much have to include this in advert), you just need to think through how you can suggest it might work for this post to encourage them to offer it to you.

If it was your business and you had a good applicant who would do 40% of the job but had a spark and thought through solutions for the other 60% or an OK applicant who would do 100% of the job who would you pick?

System

I would think their definition of part time would be a few hours each day rather than a few days per week.


ETA

Do they want part time or is it a limitation of the ad system. The question is job share or part time. They may have wanted Yes to job share but No to P/T but can only give one answer

BoBoDobie

Thanks all. You can't call (no number) only email which I know from experience takes a few days to get an answer and it has to be posted today. I think I'll apply and see. I'll also email as there's another job that says the same thing so at least then I'll know. Thanks all. x