Questions you should never be asked during an interview – find out what they are!
You’ve finally landed an interview for your dream job. But before you start celebrating, there’s one important thing you need to do: prepare.
You should never go into an interview without knowing what questions you may be asked. And while there are some common questions that you can expect, there are also some illegal questions that you may be asked. According to a survey by Careerbuilder, “20 percent of hiring managers indicated they have asked a question in a job interview only to find out later that it was illegal to ask.” Also, in a survey of 1054 Americans by the Associated Press and CNBC, “found that half of all Americans who’ve ever applied for a job have been asked questions that could be used to discriminate against a protected class under equal opportunity law.”
So what are some of the questions that you should never be asked during an interview? Read on to find out!
Why you should never be asked certain questions during an interview?
Asking questions about certain topics is illegal during an interview and can put the company at risk for a lawsuit. Some of the topics that you should never be asked about include your age, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, number of children, national origin, and disability.
-Asking about your age can be used to screen you out of a job.
-Asking about your race can be used to discriminate against you.
-Asking about your religion can be used to determine if you will be comfortable working with a company’s clientele.
-Asking about your sexual orientation can be used to determine if you will be comfortable working in the company’s culture.
-Asking about your marital status or number of children can be used to determine if you will be available for work.
-Asking about your national origin can be used to screen you out of a job.
-Asking about your disability can be used to determine if you can perform the essential functions of the job.
Preparing for an interview is important because it is an opportunity to learn more about the company and the job. By preparing for an interview, you can make a good impression on the interviewer. Preparing for an interview can also help you to relax and be more confident during the interview. Some things you can do to prepare for an interview include researching the company, practicing your answers to common interview questions, and preparing questions to ask the interviewer. Taking the time to prepare for an interview can make a big difference in the outcome of the interview.
What are some common illegal questions?
Asking any questions related to a person’s race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity is illegal and can put the company at risk for a lawsuit.
Other common illegal questions during an interview include those related to a person’s age, marital status, or whether they have any children. It is also illegal to ask about a person’s disability status or whether they are pregnant.
Asking questions about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is also illegal in many states. In some states, it is also illegal to ask about a person’s criminal history.
Some questions may not be illegal, but they can still be inappropriate. If you are ever unsure about whether a question is appropriate or not, it is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid asking it.
What to do if you are asked an illegal question?
If you are ever asked an illegal question during an interview, there are a few things you can do. First, try to remain calm. It can be difficult in the moment, but it’s important to not let the interviewer see that they’ve rattled you. Next, you can try to redirect the conversation. You can do this by asking the interviewer to clarify what they meant by the question. If the interviewer persists, you can politely decline to answer the question.
Illegal questions are those that are discriminatory in nature. They are questions that are based on race, religion, national origin, disability, age, or gender.
Questions that are illegal are:
– Are you a U.S. citizen?
– What is your country of origin?
– What is your ethnicity?
– What is your religion?
– Do you have any disabilities?
– How old are you?
– What is your gender?
– Do you have children?
– Are you married?
When you are asked an illegal question during an interview, there are a few things you can do. First, try to remain calm. It can be difficult in the moment, but it’s important to not let the interviewer see that they’ve rattled you. Next, you can try to redirect the conversation. You can do this by asking the interviewer to clarify what they meant by the question. If the interviewer persists, you can politely decline to answer the question.
The importance of preparing for an interview
An interview is an opportunity to learn more about the company and the job. It is also an opportunity to make a good impression on the interviewer. With being ready for an interview, you can show the interviewer that you are interested in the job and that you are a good fit for the company.
Preparing for an interview can also help you to relax and be more confident during the interview. When you are prepared, you are less likely to be caught off guard by questions and you will be able to focus more on making a good impression.
Some things you can do to prepare for an interview include: researching the company, practicing your answers to common interview questions, and preparing questions to ask the interviewer.
Taking the time to prepare for an interview can make a big difference in the outcome of the interview. You can increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and getting the job.
If you would like to receive more assistance in overcoming any of your obstacles that you are facing, we can definitely help. We offer Interview Preparation Session coaching and multiple coaching sessions so you can ace your next interview.