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Imagine you're in a job interview. Of course, you want to impress your interviewer and get the job.
But could the interviewer ask you about everything? Should you answer all questions the interviewer asks?
What are inappropriate questions in a job interview?
But sometimes, these questions can be asked according to the job position requirements. For example, you need to be healthy to be a firefighter.
Quiz
You're in a job interview for the pilot position. Which of the following questions are inappropriate?
It's illegal to ask you about your marital status, origin, religion, and usually health, but this position requires good eyesight. That's why the question about eyesight is acceptable.
Did you know?
"One in five men (22%) say they’ve been asked questions relating to their religious beliefs — like what holidays they observe and whether their religious practices will affect their work — and 13% of women say the same. Men were also more likely to be asked about sexual orientation, age, disabilities, and political beliefs, none of which are appropriate in an interview setting."
So, how to answer inappropriate questions?
You can refuse to answer and ask to go on to the next question.
I prefer to keep my professional and personal lives separate. Let's talk about the position.
You can use the question to your advantage. For example, you have an accent and an interviewer asks you about your origins. You can answer that you're from another country and emphasize your international job experience.
But when answering inappropriate questions, consider if you really want to work in a company that doesn't respect ethics and the law.
Quiz
You are in a job interview. Suddenly, the interviewer asks you:
Well. I see an engagement ring on your hand. Are you going to get married? Congratulations!
How should you answer this question?
I prefer to focus on my professional qualifications and how they align with the requirements of the job. Let's go on to the next question.
I think it's none of your business. What is the next question?
I prefer to keep my personal life private. Let's discuss how my professional skills and experiences align with the needs of the company.
Thank you for your congratulations. Let's focus on discussing how my skills can benefit the company.
Quiz
In the scenario above, what are the best responses?
Try to be polite and professional when answering inappropriate questions, but consider whether you truly want to work for a company that doesn't respect ethical and legal standards.
Take Action
Employers should know that asking you about race, place of origin, or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital and family status, disability, and financial situation is illegal. But they might ask anyway, and you should be prepared.
This Byte has been authored by
Nina Vostrikova
E-learning developer
BA