I recently applied for an administrative position at a small professional services office, which was advertised as part-time, offering 20-30 hours per week with a flexible schedule. After running my own business for 12 years, I’m transitioning out of self-employment due to burnout and the tough economy. During the initial screening interview, the recruiter asked if I would consider a full-time role since the hiring manager hadn’t fully decided on the hours. I reiterated my interest in part-time work. In a subsequent in-person interview with the hiring manager and his associate, I again emphasized that the part-time schedule was a major factor in my application. The hiring manager mentioned he was still unsure about the hours, as the new hire would take on some responsibilities from his associate. The associate, however, seemed to expect the position to remain part-time and advised me to set clear boundaries regarding my working hours, as she had to do the same with the hiring manager. The hiring manager seems nice but somewhat disorganized, which was evident from a scheduling mix-up during the interview and a late-night call he made to me after hours. I’ve been informed that I’m one of the top candidates and will be completing a final short assessment. Despite my interest in the role and the convenience of the office location, I’m cautious about the potential for the position to shift to full-time. I know I don’t want a 40+ hour job, and I’ve made the mistake of being too accommodating in the past without setting boundaries early on. If they offer me the job, I’m contemplating whether to insist on a clear agreement regarding the expected weekly hours before accepting. I’m also concerned about how to communicate this without offending anyone, especially if they suggest the role could become full-time later. The position doesn’t offer health benefits regardless of the hours, which adds to my hesitance.