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What are the Illegal questions?

Posted on 06/09/2006 by itstudent
Viewed: 213 times

I'm getting ready to graduate and am starting my job search. After reading several of the stories on this site, it got me wondering: What are the "illegal" interview questions, and how do I handle them should they arise?

Also are there other factors I should watch out for with the interview?

Thanks for your help!

Remind you of something?

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the cynic(06/09/2006)
That is correct. Actually, I recently read on this one career site that "There is no such thing as an illegal question, as long as they don't refuse to hire you based on your answer. And it's hard to prove the "why no hire," so all in all, all questions are legal." I think that's completely wrong...what do y'all think?

manic monday(06/09/2006)
I've been asked if I was married or had kids lmore times than I count! I never knew they coudn't ask you that!

the cynic(06/09/2006)
Manic--Was it asked in a friendly, chatting sense, or asked in the tone of an interview question?

manic monday(06/09/2006)
Mostly in a freindy sense after the stressful portion of the interview was over. But if they aren't alowed to ask you, then it has me thinking: does it make a difference what tone they use? I mean, it's still the same question in an interview setting. It's the same if I'm walking out the door and they pat me on the back, chuckle and say "Good talking to you today, Mary! Thanks for coming in! By the way, you're not a minority are you?"

just me(06/09/2006)
LMAO! I bet people have said that! No, I agree it doesn't matter what tone. But I also bet people have asked those questions on accident (ike are you married, do you have kids, etc)

the cynic(06/09/2006)
Yeah. As I posted once before, I got "So, I see you're engaged. Do you have a date, or are you just wearing the ring for the heck of it? Going on a honeymoon? What's his name? Planning on kids right away?" (This from a guy who had just rejected me outright. The gall).

Temping for now(06/12/2006)
How about asking all of the members of a department during a "Birthday Lunch" in the board room on company time, to recite the 10 commandments? I am not joking. I politly declinded to participate and did not make the cut for a longer temporary position. I say good riddens to that mess.

Dharmadee(06/13/2006)
I think this is all about what they can get away with, and what they figure that we can PROVE. Guess who the law is slanted against, if one of us makes a complaint, and it goes to court???

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JobSchmobber Community Comments

twiz (06/09/2006)
Well there are lots of questions employers are not suppose to ask.... Off the top of my head... I believe any questions based on age, gender, race or religion are all "illegal".

sheila (06/09/2006)
In the interview process questions about Age, Race, National Origin, Creed, Marital Status, Parental Status, Criminal Record and Disability are illegal. Obviously if you get the job, you'll have to answer some of these like when you fill out the 1099 and such. And on applications whether or not you've committed a felony. I found this page out there on tips for responding to illegal questions: http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/interview/l/aa022403_3.htm Good luck in your job search!

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