Help - getting round why I want part time work

the_bottler

I'm sure this is probably last minute nerves but think I might get questioned with always having been a full timer and was wondering how best to answer from anybody else's opinion who may have also experienced this situation

After my full time job hasn't worked out (wasn't for me) I dare tell anyone I escaped from a banking environment! and if I'm honest feeling disillusioned at the moment with what to do next, I applied for a part time position with what looks like fixed regular hours at least and have been invited to interview

I've thought of a couple of responses along these lines, just wonder how they would go down

- Would like to work 2 jobs - maybe trying for variety? is how to sell it whilst not trying not to diminish my chance of being successful!
- Considering going to college/re-educate part time
- Been unemployed as far as they will be concerned for a while now, so ease back into work place - maybe loss of confidence along the way, perhaps not the greatest thing to admit?
- As I've done similar sort of work before, best results I've seen in the past have come from part time workers (perhaps because their not spending all day slogging their guts at it kind of thing as I don't know that it is the nicest job, but someone has to do it kind of thing) and unfortunately it is where my heart lies as I've found out to my downfall
- Ultimately any hours better then nothing

Of course more hours could become available/foot in door or not! but for now I understand it as part time with training so whilst I haven't got work I'm free to undertake any training, I just don't like the idea of saying personal - people to look after with that not being true

Thanks for any input, opinions gratefully received for this silly bird

browneyedbazzi

Are you specifically looking for part time work for some reason or have you applied for a part time position because that is what is available?

It's almost always best to answer as honestly as possible. If you've applied because it's what is available and something is better than nothing then say that. If you want part time work to fit around your lifestyle/other work then say that.

sensibleadvice

You're perhaps over analysing. They're recruiting for PT, you're applying for PT. Tell them PT fits with your work life balance at the moment.

DCFC79

Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be, use above reason.

the_bottler

Thanks guys, yeah I'm being daft
Love you lots
xx

Jobseeeker

Wouldn't say the two jobs thing, employers don't like that. A better reason would be you want more time for a hobby or family thing.

McKneff

Jobseeeker wrote: »

Wouldn't say the two jobs thing, employers don't like that. A better reason would be you want more time for a hobby or family thing.

Exactly this....

AP007

sensibleadvice wrote: »

You're perhaps over analysing. They're recruiting for PT, you're applying for PT. Tell them PT fits with your work life balance at the moment.

I have seen many jobs that's say 'do not apply if you are not looking for part time work only'

It is hard to lie and say it fits with your work life balance as I have tried it and they wanted to know how I would live on the PT salary and what I am going to be doing with my days off.

They do not want someone to start the part time job as a stop gap and leave when something better comes along but that's what most people would do. I would but you cant not say that and then if you leave 4 weeks in I bet you end up with no reference.

sensibleadvice

AP007 wrote: »

I have seen many jobs that's say 'do not apply if you are not looking for part time work only'

It is hard to lie and say it fits with your work life balance as I have tried it and they wanted to know how I would live on the PT salary and what I am going to be doing with my days off.

They do not want someone to start the part time job as a stop gap and leave when something better comes along but that's what most people would do. I would but you cant not say that and then if you leave 4 weeks in I bet you end up with no reference.

Sounds like OP has asked on the basis they have an interview so irrelevant.

I didn't suggest lying. Fitting better with work/life balance includes easing back into the work place, not wanting to slog their guts out and less pressure.

Once in post that may possibly change. Or not. As it is it fits OK for now.

AP007

sensibleadvice wrote: »

Sounds like OP has asked on the basis they have an interview so irrelevant.

I didn't suggest lying. Fitting better with work/life balance includes easing back into the work place, not wanting to slog their guts out and less pressure.

Once in post that may possibly change. Or not. As it is it fits OK for now.

I had an interview where they asked me the same. They said they were not convinced a full time person who had never worked part time would be happy to work part time.

Easy back into the work place leans to wanting to leave sometime (maybe as soon as something better comes along).

When you have always worked full time its very hard to get part time jobs to take you seriously.

tommytynan123

I was made redundant from the Civil Service at 56 and so took my pension to go with another pension I had. I didn't have to work f/t and that was my reason. Interviewers had no snags with that.

Just tell them and as has been said ''they want p/t and you've applied'' I'm sure the other factors like skills, quaifications etc far far outweigh the p/t bit. All they may say is ''you are aware its p/t with no chance of f/t''

Stop making a mountain out of ..... and good luck. You'll smash them. Let us know