Thursday, July 1, 2010

Applying for a new role - having the 'flexibility' conversation

- Know YOUR story - Before having the conversation, be confident in your skills and abilities. Know what you are worth, what you want to do, and know what you are goods at. Employers like motivated and confident candidates.

- Do some research - Google the employer. Find out if they are aflexible employer. Do they have a flexible work policy? Connect with your networks on LinkedIn and Facebook - ask if anyone has had any involvement with the employer. The more information you can gather, the more prepared you will be.

- Always ask - If you see a job advertisement that looks perfect for you but it is full time, always find out if the employer if happy to explore flexible work options. The talent pool is getting smaller and the quality of the applicants may not be strong. If you don't ask you will never know.

- Be upfront - Don't wait to get a job interview before finding out if the employer would consider flexible work options. Be upfront about your requirements so your time and the employer's time are not wasted.

- Work with the right recruiters - If you are enlisting the help of recruiters, make sure you are talking to recruiters who understand your needs - and who undertand what flexibility means. Read our tips on dealing with recruiters.

- Be proactive - if the role is similar to another role you previously worked flexibly in, prepare a business case as part of your application.

- At the interview - Treat the interview process as a 360 degree interview. In other words, you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You are at a stage in your career where you have accrued experience and expertise. Remember that.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Im 50/50 with this, it took me over 6 months to FINALLY get a job after not being in employment for 10 years raising the children. They were 140 people applying for this role and to get my foot in the door I couldn't bring this topic up (yes it full time work, part-time work local is just too cut throat) If I mention this can say I never would of gotten this job. So I am better of saying nothing doing my 3 months probation then continue for another 3 months then ask for flexibility. Mine you my kids are school area (primary school) but my oldest does have autism so I'm I have read special need children do go under this banner.. I hope.