DISCUSSIONS

To interview or to not interview:

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To interview or to not interview:

Hello! I have a question for you ladies. So my soon to be ex coworker urged me to apply for a job at his new company, saying that I’d be a perfect fit and that they were hiring for all shifts (I want to work exclusively M-F, first shift only). And I agree with him so I applied for the job. The HR recruiter got back to me within 36 hours saying that they really really want to do a video interview with me and I am excited about it. There’s just one problem: the original job posting said that they’re hiring for all shifts, but the interview invite says second shift (which is my least favorite kind of shift). Now I’m debating if I should proceed with the interview or not, this is the perfect job for me, the hours are the only problem. Should I email back asking if they’re hiring for first shift? Should I proceed with the interview even though these are not my preferred hours. I still want to make a good impression with the company, but now I’m not sure what I should do here…

UPDATE: thank you all for your thoughts! I accepted the interview and the HR recruiter is very excited to meet me and I am too. My next question is if at any stage of the interview process I am asked if I am interested/willing to work second shift, how should I respond? I don’t want to come off the wrong way, but first shift hours are absolutely my preferred hours. I also don’t want to lie to them if I can help it, I don’t want to say something that I can’t take back. Thanks!

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  1. Anonymous

    Please take the interview if nothing more than for practice. If they end up loving you, you can accept or decline the role based on the shift. They may end up liking you enough to be willing to negotiate on that point.

  2. Anonymous

    Do the interview. You never know what they may have in mind for you.

  3. Anonymous

    Ask the recruiter if they have any 1st shift openings as that is the best ones for you. Or is there an opportunity to start on the 2nd shift and be moved to a 1st shift later? It's worth asking as it may be a temporary situation. I wouldn't like it either, but if it was something I really liked, I would do it temporarily. Good luck!

  4. Anonymous

    Always interview. It's practice. They waste our time all the time!

  5. Teff Ayral

    That’s very exciting that you got an interview and you’re interested in the job. Definitely go to the interview explore and ask questions. You’re trying to make a good match for you your family and your situation. Be open and honest and let them know that first shift works best for you and your family. You don’t have to give excuses or even reasons why not. If they say second shift is the only thing available then tell them that you are very interested in the role, but the first shift is what you’re looking for at this time. Please keep me in mind when first shift is an open option.

  6. Anonymous

    Be honest that the company is exciting and you are extremely interested but you can only work the first shift. So if that shift is not available you would like to know if there is a wait list for that first shift.

    You do not need to explain why unless you want to.

  7. Tami L Cannizzaro

    Take The interview! Meet them and let them fall in love w you. If they do they may find the perfect day shift for you, even if they meant to hire for 2nd shift.

    If they ask what shift you prefer or if you can work 2nd shift, tell them Righg now you are available for Day shift/first shift. Do not mention anything else, such as family obligations. I say this because employers are not allowed to ask us about certain questions such as if we have kids, yet if we give them this info then it’s fair game. It can allow for bias.

  8. Anonymous

    I took a job, 2nd shift, weekends. It was tough, after 1.5 years, I had enough seniority to change shifts. So, for me, it was worth it

  9. Maggie Soldano

    "First shift hours are absolutely my preferred hours" — that's a really direct, professional way to share that information. If you can, let them know that you're willing to be flexible by backing up 2nd shift as needed, but you're focused on finding 1st shift positions. That will let them know that if you stay in a 2nd shift position, you're outta there.

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