The purpose of this exercise is to learn to identify interview questions that are of questionable legality. Check whether each question below is acceptable or whether it should be avoided. For each question that is illegal or potentially illegal (Not Acceptable), do the following:
1) Provide justification for why you think it should be avoided.
2) Cite an applicable law or regulation that would make the question illegal or questionable.
3) If possible, rewrite the item so that it may be useful in an interview context.
Do some research to help you determine what is legal/illegal or questionable. Look at HR textbooks. Also, search the internet for relevant information. Internet sites to look at include:
www.jobinterviewquestions.org
http://www.hr-guide.com/
www.eeoc.gov
Indicate whether the following questions are legal (Acceptable) or illegal/questionable (Not Acceptable). Remember to cite an applicable law for those questions that are not acceptable.
Not
Acceptable Acceptable
___ ___ 1. Would you mind if I called you by your first name?
___ ___ 2. Are you married or do you live with someone?
___ ___ 3. Are you a citizen of the United States?
___ ___ 4. Have you ever been arrested?
___ ___ 5. What professional societies do you belong to?
___ ___ 6. Are you planning to start a family soon?
___ ___ 7. What kinds of people do you enjoy working with the most?
___ ___ 8. How long do you expect your husband to remain here before changing
jobs?
___ ___ 9. I can’t help but notice the great shape you have kept yourself in. How
do you do it?
___ ___ 10. We are looking for someone who can relate well with college students;
you are 52.
___ ___ 11. Have you ever been convicted of a crime (beyond traffic violations)?
___ ___ 12. Will your family or personal obligations interfere with your ability to
keep the hours of this job?
___ ___ 13. How does your military experience relate to this job?
___ ___ 14. What are your religious beliefs?
___ ___ 15. How do you feel about getting personally involved with someone at
work?
___ ___ 16. Would you be willing to work on Yom Kippur?
___ ___ 17. I notice you do not appear to be from this area. From where do you
come and how long have you lived here?
___ ___ 18. Are you a smoker or a nonsmoker?
___ ___ 19. Are you a homosexual?
___ ___ 20. What plans do you have for taking care of the children if you get
this job?
___ ___ 21. Do you consider yourself handicapped in any way?
___ ___ 22. Is there any history of chronic illness in your family?
___ ___ 23. One of your references mentioned that you have a history of
depression. Is this still a problem?
___ ___ 24. Given that you are in a wheelchair, how do you think you will be able
to do this work?