Want a four-day work week? Here’s how to make it happen

If you’re like most people, the idea of ​​a four-day work week sounds appealing.

While jobs are scarce, there has been a slow build-up of companies switching to the shortened week, either permanently or via a trial phase. Some have already implemented the advantage. Others may be one of 35 companies in the United States and Canada participating in a pilot program led by 4 Day Week Global. Six-month coordinated trials begin April 1.

Certainly, CEOs are quick to point out that fewer days does not mean less work. Instead, it’s about productivity, organization, and prioritization. Communication is simplified, meetings are cancelled.

This means that companies are generally looking for candidates who can thrive in this environment.

“Our people work very consciously and we work hard. So we’re saying the four days you’re here, you better all be in,” said Ryan Breslow, CEO of Bolt, which recently announced a permanent policy of four days after a success. test ride.

“You better be responsive, have an incredible impact,” he added. “So three days you’re not here, you could be completely out.”

Obviously, what recruiters are looking for depends on the position. However, certain characteristics can make you a good candidate.

For example, those who are perfectionists may not be suited to a four-day workweek, said Banks Benitez, co-founder and CEO of Denver-based Uncharted, which switched to the shortened workweek last summer. .

“We’re looking for candidates who can prioritize and de-prioritize, who can recognize what’s essential and what’s not, and who are self-directed in managing their time,” he said.

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It’s also important to be aware of yourself to know when you’re at your best and when you’re not, and to understand that the job will always feel incomplete, he said.

Bolt, a San Francisco-based e-commerce developer, is looking for candidates who will add to its culture by bringing new ideas and experiences.

“Everyone who joins us will help us live our conscious culture and be fiercely committed to our mission to build the best business on the planet and democratize commerce along the way,” said Jennifer Christie, Chief People Officer. by Bolt.

You’ll need to get a little creative when looking for jobs with four-day work weeks, as it’s not necessarily a category on job search websites.

Use a keyword search, putting 4-day week or 4-day work week in quotes, suggests Brie Reynolds, career services manager and career coach at FlexJobs. You can even try additional searches by spelling four.

Researching companies that offer a shortened work week is another avenue. There is a list of such organizations at fourdayweek.com/companies, from Bolt’s Conscious Culture Initiative. Go to each company’s career page to search for jobs and sign up for job email notifications.

“They might not have something you’re looking for right now, but they might have something in the future,” Reynolds said.

If you have previous experience in a reduced workweek, it’s really important to highlight it, either next to the job title or in a bullet point on your resume, Reynolds advised.

It doesn’t have to be a four-day work week, but it can also be a reduced number of hours or a compressed work day. Reduced or flexible hours don’t have to be officially sanctioned by the company, but can be a schedule you’ve worked out during the pandemic, she said. The key is to show that you have experience in this different environment, she said.

“If you don’t have experience in a flexible or compressed type of work week, you really want to focus on the skills you have that would make you effective,” Reynolds said.

These skills include the ability to focus, prioritize and stay organized. Give employers an idea of ​​how you get things done. For example, in your cover letter, you can say how you stay on track every day.

As with any job search, networking is also important. Ask former and current colleagues who have worked at other companies your interest in working a four-day work week and see if anyone has any leads, Reynolds said.

Thinking outside the box can help you land your next gig.

“At Bolt, we’ve hired people through job boards, recruiting marathons, events, social media, our networks, and many other channels,” Christie said.

“Don’t wait for a recruiter to contact you. Be proactive and connect with companies that demonstrate they prioritize the balance between execution and humanity.”

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Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Tassels.