Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in the Long Island Press on June 8, 2006.
A friend’s son recently told me about an interview he went on in which the interviewer asked him the origin of his last name. The question caught my attention because it is actually characterized as a potentially discriminatory interview question, one that could by construed as prejudicial. However, as in many interviews, questions such as this are typically asked in innocence by an untrained interviewer. Ignorance of what questions are proper or how information could unintentionally be used by an employer in a discriminatory way is not so uncommon.
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Sometimes, job seekers find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, wondering about the intent of the question. When that happens, you have three choices, especially if this is a job you want: 1) answer the question, 2) refuse to answer the question, which may seem confrontational or uncooperative (particularly to the untrained interviewer), or 3) consider the interviewer’s intent and reply as it might apply to the job. For example, if you are asked if you are a U.S. citizen (an illegal question), you might respond in a way that satisfies what the interviewer probably wanted to know, as in “I am authorized to work in this country.”
Federal law ensures that job applicants are hired on bona fide occupational qualifications. Questions about age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion or sexual preference are improper and are considered illegal as grounds for making employment decisions. However, ironically, when an illegal question is asked, it is often done so by a naïve or forgetful interviewer who is trying to be friendly and simply making conversation. Try not to become defensive if you find a question to be awkward, and think about your answer. Of course, if you are truly offended, you have every right to terminate the interview and leave.
Here are some examples of inappropriately asked questions that were well handled by the job candidate. These job seekers all said that they felt no malice was intended, and simply answered confidently and with a smile.
Q: This reads that you left your last job to have a family. Do you have childcare arrangements?
A: There’s nothing to prevent me from meeting deadlines or the responsibilities you’ve outlined.
Q: Your last name sounds foreign.
A: It is a mouthful, but easy to spell.
Q: How’s your health and medical history?
A: I had excellent attendance at my last job.
Q: Will your spouse mind the extensive travel you’ll have to do?
A: I don’t let anything interfere with my job performance.
Most employers agree that the best option is to evaluate the intent behind the question. If, in doing so, you feel you want to continue to pursue employment with an organization, you should provide a tactful answer without sacrificing your rights or embarrassing a misguided interviewer. Illegal questions can add greater stress to an already stressful interview, but the job seeker who is aware of what’s right or wrong has every chance to diffuse the situation, take control and respond in the way that suits them best.
Nancy Schuman is a vice president at Lloyd Staffing, headquartered in Melville, and is the author of five how-to books on career guidance and job-search techniques. Lloyd Staffing offers temporary, contract and full-time employment services on a regional and national basis. Send your career-related questions tojobadvice@lloydstaffing.com.
