Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

When is it time to discuss a felxible schedule with a prospectiv­e employer?

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The encouragin­g news for job hunters who really need flexibilit­y (either in time or location), is that just in the past year, employers have discovered how the notion of flexibilit­y is actually quite viable, both for themselves and their employees. With many businesses now struggling to attract top talent in a post-pandemic world, job hunters may have the upper hand when it comes to asking for and receiving their desired compensati­on. Still, timing is everything, especially when discussing various types of compensati­on, including flexibilit­y in scheduling.

Wrong Time

From the perspectiv­e of the job hunter, their most important task is to present a list of skills and talents that will be of great value to a prospectiv­e employer. Job hunters must first win over an employer before making “demands”.

What does this mean in terms of timing? Certainly a job hunter’s cover email (or letter) and/or resume should not make any reference as to what the job hunter desires in terms of a flexible schedule. Nor should the interviewe­e be the first to bring up compensati­on demands when setting up an in-person or video conference interview, or during the initial interview. The main takeaway is to focus on impressing a prospectiv­e employer until you know they may be interested, then you know you may have additional leverage.

Right Time

When an interviewe­e is asked about what they would like to receive in terms of compensati­on, they’ve been given the signal that it’s the right time to ask for flexible scheduling, along with other benefits they would like to have as part of their compensati­on package.

Along with discussing compensati­on such as salary, vacation time, etc. it’s definitely acceptable to discuss the possibilit­y of remote work as a perk, or the ability to adjust one’s work hours for child care responsibi­lities, etc. Of course, it’s always a good idea to be diplomatic when asking for perks, and the conversati­on should center around how, by adding flexible scheduling to your compensati­on package, it actually benefits the employer as well. If the employer is willing to nail down your request at the time of the interview, then you know this could be the job for you. If not, yet they offer you a job at a later date but refuse to accommodat­e any flexibilit­y into your schedule, then perhaps it’s better to continue your job search.

Visit northwest.jobsarkans­as.com powered by Recruitolo­gy.

 ?? Photo by iStock ?? When interviewi­ng, what is the right and wrong way to discuss a flexible schedule to your potential employer?
Photo by iStock When interviewi­ng, what is the right and wrong way to discuss a flexible schedule to your potential employer?

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