Illegal Interview Questions

Questions Illegal Are you a US citizen? Where were you/your parents born? What is your “native tongue”? Legal Are you authorized to work in US? What language do you speak/read/write fluently-has to relate to job

Questions Illegal How old are you? When did you graduate? What is your birth date? Legal Are you over the age of 18?

Questions Illegal What is your marital status? With whom do you live? Do you plan to have a family-when? What many kids do you have? What are your child-care arrangements? Legal Would you be willing to relocate if necessary? Would you be able and willing to travel as needed for this job? Would you be able and willing to work overtime as necessary?

Questions Illegal What clubs or social organizations do you belong to? List any professional or trade groups or other organizations that you belong to that you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job?

Questions Illegal How tall are you and how much do you weigh? (only acceptable if there is a minimum standard that is essential for safe performance of job) Legal Are you able to lift a 50 lb. weight and carry it 100 yards as this is part of the job?

Questions Illegal Do you have disabilities? Please complete the following medical history. Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations? What was the date of your last physical exam? How is your family’s health? Do you need an accommodation to perform the job-(only after job is accepted) Legal Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job? Can you demonstrate how you would perform the following job-related functions? As a part of the hiring process, after the job offer has been made, you will be required to undergo a medical exam (results must be kept confidential and supervisors may be informed about necessary job accommodations based on results of exam)

Questions Illegal Have you ever been arrested? If you’ve been in the military, were you honorably discharged? Legal Have you ever been convicted of ____? (must be reasonably related to job performance) In what branch of the armed services did you serve? What type of training or education did you receive in the military?

If Asked an Illegal Question, You have Three Options 1. You can answer the question-remember you are giving information not related to job and could hurt you chances 2. You can refuse to answer the question-Depending on how you phrase your answer, you run the risk of appearing confrontational or uncooperative

If Asked an Illegal Question, You have Three Options 3. You can examine question for its intent and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job. Example-Interviewer asks “Who is going to take care of your children when you travel for this job?” Your answer could be “I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires.”