Q & A Table of Contents
How Should I Deal With Inappropriate Questions?
From: Chris, Chicago, Illinois
Question: I just had a job interview with a Vice President/Corporate Controller from one a US leading printing company. During the interview, she asked me questions like "where were you born?", "which company does your husband work and what does he do?", etc. I really like the job but feel the questions are really irrelevant to the job and are not appropriate. What should I do in the next time ?
Response: In this sort of situation it is perfectly reasonable to say as diplomatically as possible, "I am curious how my answer to this question is relevant to your decision whether to hire me."
There may be some business relevance to finding out about your husband's job since it may relate to your willingness or ability to travel or relocate. It may also relate to whether your family's health insurance will be paid by the printing company or your husband's employer.
Companies also need to know where employees were born; in the United States, issues of citizenship have become a 'hot button' topic in some places. However, on the other side of the coin, it can be demeaning and/or invasive to ask these kinds of questions. That is why you should ask why the relevance of each such question should be explained to you.
You should also familiarize yourself with the employment laws of the state where the company is located -- as well as Federal employment laws, particularly those relating to privacy. Companies have extraordinary opportunities to undertake such invasive inquiries as drug testing, etc. Whether it is allowed by the state or Federal laws is a matter with which you should be concerned before an interview.
Some questions are demonstrably inappropriate, others may have a valid business basis. The real issue is when they make you uncomfortable. In those circumstances, it is quite important to communicate your feelings to the interviewer. "These questions seem to be going beyond issues of my skill, experience, or other qualifications for the job. Because of that, they make me feel uncomfortable. If you can explain their value to the company, it will help make me feel that the company is not just on a 'fishing expedition' asking irrelevant questions." Assert your intelligence, your understanding of your dignity and self-worth, your self-respect and you should be treated with respect as a result.
Good luck,
Steve
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