July 25, 2016

13 Illegal Job Interview Questions That You Must Be Prepared to Answer For

India is a country where a large number of graduates are produced. Attending interviews is not a new task for most of them.In order to get placed and work at the tech giant, they have to answer some tricky questions first. Usually, interview questions are posed to the candidates and other techies related to technical based on their past work experience and some questions connected with tricky problems. But in the sort of filtration interviews may ask you some irrelevant questions related to your personal life to know your potential. They may ask questions related to age, gender, religion etc. But gathering this kind of information is considered as illegal.

Here Is A Compilation Of Some Illegal Job Interview Questions Along With The Best Answers:

#1. What’s your relationship status? Are you married?

Though this question may seem normal for a job seeker but it is illegal to ask about candidate’s personal information as it may be treated as judgement according to sexual orientation.

Hannah Keyser says,

“Anything that fishes for information about a candidate’s family plans (marriage, engagement, and child planning) are technically illegal because it falls under pregnancy discrimination. It can often seem like a hiring manager is just making pleasant conversation and trying to get to know you better, but job applicants are not obligated to disclose any personal information. This could also be a subtle way to question someone about their sexual orientation-another protected class.”

Best Answer: It is better not to reveal any of your personal information as it is none of the employer’s business and he has nothing to do with that information. So best way to respond is “My focus is on my career right now”

illegal interview questions

#2. What’s Your Age?

An Interviewer should not ask about your age as the knowledge is more important than age. It may be a valid question in the case of a minor but it is illegal to ask mature candidates. An Interviewer may try to guess your age by asking one more illegal question regarding your experience, course duration etc.

RealAge720

#3. When Did You Graduate?

It is none of the employer’s business to ask about the year of graduation. It is sufficient to know whether the candidate is a graduate or not. Moreover, the company is not suitable for you if they recruit based on your age.

graduate

Best Answer: Just say, “a long back” or “recently”

#4. What’s Your Health Status?

An employer should not ask about your physical health status. Patrick Allen says,

“It’s also illegal for them to directly ask if you have any disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically states that employers can’t ask you about the existence, nature, or severity of any pre-existing disability. They may ask if you can perform the basic functions of the position without accommodation, however, so, in most instances, it’s to everyone’s benefit, to be honest. It never hurts to ask questions yourself and see what they expect from you.”

health
Best Answer: It’s better not to reveal your health status. So simply say, “I try to limit how frequently I call in sick and only miss work when it can’t be avoided.”

#5. Which Religious Practices Do You Follow?

A question on religion should not be asked in any interview. It’s illegal to ask like that.

freedom-of-religion

Best Answer: Frankly say, “I prefer not to discuss my religion, and I assure it doesn’t affect my work”

#6. Have You Ever Been Arrested?

Though it may be a right of any interviewer to know the criminal history of the candidate, but it’s illegal to ask about arrest record.

arrested

According to Peter Studner, author of Super Job Search IV: The Complete Manual for Job Seekers and Career Changers.

“In these kinds of cases where a future employer might uncover prior arrests, it is important to discuss the incident up front and point out that it was a thing of the past, never to be repeated. The more serious the offense, the more convincing you have to be.

Depending on the state, a conviction record shouldn’t automatically disqualify you for employment unless it substantially relates to your job. For example, if you’ve been convicted of statutory rape and you’re applying for a teaching position, you will probably not get the job.”

Best Answer: “I’ve never been convicted of a crime” or “Nothing in my past would affect my ability to do this job.” says Vivian Giang of Business Insider.

#7. Which Country Do You Belong To?

It is validated only when a company wants to hire the candidates of their nation. But it comes to worldwide, asking this question will be treated as national discrimination. And also it is illegal to ask whether English is your first language.

country

#8. Do You Drink Socially?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, recovering alcoholics don’t have to reveal any information that might hint at their status. It’s also illegal for the interviewers to ask the candidates about their recovering drug-addiction.

drink

Vivian Giang at Business Insider says,

“For example, if you’re a recovering alcoholic, treatment of alcoholism is protected under this act and you don’t have to disclose any disability information before landing an official job offer.”

#9. What type of discharge did you receive in the military?

“This is not appropriate for the interviewer to ask you, but they can ask what type of education, training, or work experience you’ve received while in the military.”, says Vivian Giang at Business Insider.

military

#10. Do you have any outstanding debt?

Employers should not ask about your financial status. Vivian Giang says,

“Employers have to have permission before asking about your credit history. Similar to a criminal background history, they can’t disqualify you from employment unless it directly affects your ability to perform the position you’re interviewing for.

Furthermore, they can’t ask you how well you balance your personal finances or inquire about you owning property.”

debt

#11. When are you planning on having children?

Hannah Keyser says,

“Anything that fishes for information about a candidate’s family plans (marriage, engagement, and child planning) are technically illegal because it falls under pregnancy discrimination. It can often seem like a hiring manager is just making pleasant conversation and trying to get to know you better, but job applicants are not obligated to disclose any personal information. This could also be a subtle way to question someone about their sexual orientation-another protected class.”

children

Best answer: “My focus is on my career”.

#12. What is your political affiliation?

Under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, federal employers are prohibited from asking political party preference questions of federal employees and applicants. Albeit, currently there are no such laws that forbid private employers from asking political affiliation questions, employers should probably avoid asking such questions.

political

#13. What Is Your Race/Caste/First Language?

Jacquelin Smith says,

“All of these questions are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. An employer may want to be sure that a candidate can legally work for them but it is important to be careful how it is asked. You cannot ask if an applicant is a US citizen, but you can ask whether the applicant is authorized to work in the US.”

Must Read: 15 Really weird Interview Questions

Also Read: 25 tricky microsoft interview questions

About the author 

Imran Uddin


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