Illegal Questions

You have three options:

1. You are free to answer the question but, if you choose to do so, realize that you are giving information that is not job related.  You could harm your candidacy by giving the “wrong” answer.

2. You can refuse to answer the question.  By selecting this option, you’ll be within your rights, but you’re at risk for being  perceived as uncooperative or confrontational.

3. Examine the intent behind the question and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job.  For example, the interviewer asks, “Are you a U.S. citizen?”  You could say, “I am authorized to work in the U.S.” Or, if the interviewer asks, “Who is going to take care of your children when you have to travel?”  You might answer, “I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires.”

Illegal (I) vs. Legal (L) Questions:

(I) Are you a U.S. citizen? 

(L) Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?

(I) How old are you?

(L) Are you over the age of 18?

(I) What’s your marital status?

(L) Would you be willing to relocate?

(I) Have you ever been arrested?

(L) Have you ever been convicted of ____? (The crime named should be reasonably related to the performance of the job in question.)

(I) If you’ve been in the military, were you honorably discharged?

(L) In what branch of the Armed Forces did you serve?

(I) Do you have any disabilities?

(L) Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that  is part of the job?