What Should You Do If Asked Inappropriate Interview Question?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Gracefully avoid the question and steer the conversation elsewhere.
  2. Keep your answers short, broad and general.
  3. Redirect a question to your interviewer.
  4. Ask the interviewer why the question is relevant to your job.

What is inappropriate during an interview?

Examples of inappropriate job questions


your sexual preference

.

your gender identity

.

your disability status

.

your ethnicity, race, colour, nationality or cultural background

.

What questions are inappropriate to ask during an interview?

  • Anything Related to Salary or Benefits. …
  • Questions That Start With “Why?” …
  • “Who is Your Competition?” …
  • “How Often Do Reviews Occur?” …
  • “May I Arrive Early or Leave Late as Long as I Get My Hours In?” …
  • “Can I Work From Home?”

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?

Refuse to answer the question

because it is your legal right to do so.

What happens if you ask illegal questions in an interview?

By pointing it out, you are putting the employer on alert that you're aware the question is off-limits. If they continue to ask the illegal question,

you do have the right not to answer the question

. And, you can always walk away from the interview.

What should you not do in an interview?

  • Not Doing Your Research. …
  • Turning Up Late. …
  • Dressing Inappropriately. …
  • Fidgeting With Unnecessary Props. …
  • Poor Body Language. …
  • Unclear Answering and Rambling. …
  • Speaking Negatively About Your Current Employer. …
  • Not Asking Questions.

How do you answer inappropriate questions?

  1. Enlist the help of a friend. …
  2. Restate—and reframe—the question. …
  3. Deflect with a joke. …
  4. Offer advice instead of an answer. …
  5. Deflect the question back to the asker with a compliment. …
  6. Turn the tables. …
  7. Address a related, but safer, personal topic.

What are the worst interview questions?

  1. Where do you live? This could be cause for discrimination.
  2. What country are you from? …
  3. What is your current salary? …
  4. What year did you graduate? …
  5. Are you pregnant? …
  6. Are there any religious holidays you observe? …
  7. Who did you vote for? …
  8. Have you been convicted of a crime?

What are 5 things you should never say in a job interview?

  • “Sorry I'm late” …
  • “What does your company do?” …
  • “I'm really nervous” …
  • “My boss was an absolute idiot” (or anything else disparaging) …
  • “I just need to take this call” …
  • “I increased our sales, by like a lot” …
  • “In 5 years' time I will have your job”

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

  1. What do you expect from team members in this position? …
  2. Will those expectations change over time? …
  3. What is a typical day like at [company name]? …
  4. Where do you see the company in five years? …
  5. What are the next steps in the job process?

How can you close an interview?

  1. Ask questions.
  2. Address any concerns.
  3. Remind the interviewer of your strengths.
  4. Express your interest in the job.
  5. Ask about the next steps.
  6. Offer additional information.
  7. Leave the meeting politely.
  8. Send a follow-up email.

Can I sue for illegal interview questions?

While

you can't sue just because you were asked a question

, being asked an inappropriate question could be evidence of discrimination if you aren't hired. Questions that are inappropriate are those that relate to legally-protected categories under the law.

Can HR ask personal questions?

The short answer to this is that

yes, they can ask

. Whether or not you choose to provide it is up to you. However, an employer can usually legally deny you a position if you refuse. An employer may wish to see your W-2 to confirm if the current salary you claim to earn is true or not, and this is legal.

How old are you is a legal interview question?

Companies Are Legally Allowed to Ask for a Job Applicant's Date of Birth: However, they not allowed to discriminate against workers aged

40

and older based upon their age.

What are two things you can do if an interviewer asks you an illegal question in an interview?

If you are asked an illegal interview question or the questions begin to follow an illegal trend, you

always have the option to end the interview or refuse to answer the question

. It may be uncomfortable to do, but you need to be comfortable working at the company.

Why is it illegal to ask about age in an interview?

While interview questions like this get asked during phone screens across the globe, it is technically an illegal interview question

because it can often infer age

. The Age Discrimination Act prevents employment discrimination based on age.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.