Timing Is Everything When Seeking A Job With Flexibility

Negotiating a flexible working arrangement at a new job requires attention to the timing

Negotiating a flexible working arrangement at a new job requires attention to the timing. If you ask too early in the interview process, you risk coming across as too demanding and putting the employer off. Conversely if you leave it too late, you could lose your opportunity altogether. The secret is to wait until the job is offered, then broach the topic. The majority of employers are open to discussing some form of flexibility for the right candidate.

Apply for a dream job even if it’s not advertised as flexible and assume that you can negotiate that later. Do some employer research and if flexible working is not offered for current staff, offer it to a new recruit is unlikely. If there is a flexible or part-time working culture, they are likely to be open to negotiation. If they are not asking you about flexible working options during the interview, don’t mention it too early in the process.

While the focus of an interview is whether you are the right person for the job and whether they want you, don’t be afraid to negotiate. When you know they want you, you are in a position to negotiate. While you may not get everything you want, your currency as the preferred client is much higher. Once you know that the employer has fallen in love with you, that’s a different kind of conversation.

Be flexible about the flexibility you might want and how it could work for you and the business. What advantages are in it for them?

Find examples of people in your industry doing similar roles.  While you may want a three day week, it may need to be a four day week to start. Your desire to working from home two days a week may mean you need to start with one day a week. Don’t let the discussion become polarising.

Don’t push the problem onto the employer to solve. You could say that you’ve worked this way in this role, know how it can be done and that the role could be designed more creatively with a 20% salary saving. Bring ideas and some solutions to the table, not just the request for flexible working.

Are you seeking a job with and employer that provides better work-life balance? Check out the latest jobs in club hospitality here.

Source:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1KRW7ZzgdRX4mrRyNXyjtwB/want-a-flexible-job-here-are-four-tips-to-negotiate-your-dream-role