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When is best to broach flexible working?

Catherine Fleming

So, I  managed to make it to round two of a selection process for a HR role. At this point I emailed the recruiter and queried whether their hours could be flexible for childcare reasons whilst in the same email confirming that I would be very keen to attend a second round.

I'm unsure if I've approached this correctly. Made me wonder when is the best time to ask about flexible working when applying for a new role?

Parents
  • To my mind, it depends a great deal on the degree to which flexible working is essential to *you*. If you absolutely need flexibility and can't imagine any way you could do the job without it, then by all means raise it at the start. You'll save yourself a lot of wasted time if the job's totally not flexible or not flexible enough.

    If, on the other hand, you'd *like* flexibility but can probably manage a less flexible role with help or an appropriate outlay of cash (on after-school sessions, childminders or other resources) then only raise it at the end of the process. That way, if you've stood out as the premium candidate (which of course you will have, being a member of this forum) your new employer will be keen to offer you the best deal they can to secure your services.

    Most employers, these days, will at least consider some degree of flexibility as long as they feel it cuts both ways.
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  • To my mind, it depends a great deal on the degree to which flexible working is essential to *you*. If you absolutely need flexibility and can't imagine any way you could do the job without it, then by all means raise it at the start. You'll save yourself a lot of wasted time if the job's totally not flexible or not flexible enough.

    If, on the other hand, you'd *like* flexibility but can probably manage a less flexible role with help or an appropriate outlay of cash (on after-school sessions, childminders or other resources) then only raise it at the end of the process. That way, if you've stood out as the premium candidate (which of course you will have, being a member of this forum) your new employer will be keen to offer you the best deal they can to secure your services.

    Most employers, these days, will at least consider some degree of flexibility as long as they feel it cuts both ways.
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