I have applied for a full time job in clerical work, worried about the long hours?
Asked by Anon
I have not done full time (40 hours) for 25 years due to family commitments. I have applied for a full time job but i'm worried about how it will feel doing 40 hrs. I did consider asking at the interview if it would be possible to do the job part time or as a job share ( they advertised for a full time person) would it be OK to ask this? Can anyone advise me how to tackle the job or how it's going to feel?

Best Answer:
If you ask at an interview if they will offer you part time hours when they are seeking a full time candidate then you might as well kiss that job goodbye. It'll feel like a long week for the first couple of weeks or so, but after that it'll be much easier. I've had to go back to full time hours after a long time out before and it does get easier after a while. Also, if you like the job then the time will fly by........and just think of the extra money!

Have you considered working for a temporary agency until you are up to speed? They are much more flexible, and sometimes assignments lead to permanent jobs.
Answered by friendlystranger65

What kind of a company is the job with? Public sector organisations will very often consider requests for job share, if it is feasible, and in a clerical role I can't see why it wouldn't be feasible. However if it's a private company, then it's not going to make a good impression ... you'll almost certainly take yourself out of the process just by asking. If you think you won't cope, I would simply withdraw my application for this job and only apply for roles which are part-time. If you think you might cope, I would continue with the application process and if successful, take the job on a full-time basis and see how it goes. If you do find it a struggle, then speak to them about job-sharing when you have completed your probation. They'd be within their rights to say no, and then you may want to leave. But they might just say yes to save the hassle of recruiting and training a new person.
Answered by Cari

I would not ask them whether you can do it part time. If they are considering a job share, they will mention it in the interview. Otherwise, I would look at part time jobs or join an office temping agency (i.e. Reed) who will give you jobs that last anywhere from a week to 6 months; so it's more flexible and you can also get part time work this way. Unless you have a busy life or are still looking after your family, etc. you shouldn't find 40 hours too bad at all. You'll still have weekends off. Sometimes part time is less enjoyable because you don't really get to know the team as much and it's harder catching up on what you've missed. Sometimes people in offices can judge people who work part time as being lazy or rich and not needing to work - purely through jealousy, of course. In terms of 'tackling' the job and how it's going to feel.... basically you'll just have a routine of getting up, going to work, doing your work, then coming home. Depending on how far you live from work, your evenings will flash by quite quickly - but the weekends will be something you look forward to. If you are really having doubts, go for part time work. xx Emmie
Answered by Emmie

If you have looked after your family full time for the last 25 years, then 40 hours a week will be a walk in the park. You might feel tired for the first week or so, but this is because your getting used to a new routine. But i have to ask, if you really wanted a part time job then you shouldn't have applied for it. Most people would love to work part time, but we all work full time because we can't afford it any other way. Plus you wont mind the hours when you make new friends and get you wage every month.
Answered by jue