9 Questions You Can’t Ask in a Job Interview

There is a fine line between getting all the information you need during a job interview and asking too much information. It’s easy to cross the line into discrimination if you are not cautious or knowledgeable on what you can and can’t say during a job Interview.

Most have an idea of what we can ask.  For instance. questions that are already on the application and specific work history that pertain to the job.

But beware of those questions that will get us in trouble!  Listed below are areas that should be avoided:

• Ancestry, race (however, asking if they speak a language that is required of the job is appropriate – such as Spanish)., religion, religious holidays, or religious dress unless it is a bona fide occupational qualification.
• Including questions that may reveal an age – such as year of graduation from high school.
• Prior wage or salary history (New for 2018!)
• Gender or personal information such as weight, height, gender expression/identity
• Marital status, dependents/children, divorce status
• Disability/Medical Conditions. No generalized questions of applicant’s health, medical conditions and history, substance addiction, worker’s compensation claims, absences due to illness or genetic tests and/or results.
• Do not ask for a photograph unless there is a defensible business reason to do so.
• Citizenship such as birthplace of applicant or applicant’s family, authorization for employment prior to hire.
• Criminal history such as background checks (and credit checks) may only be done if it required of the position and only with prior written/signed consent from applicant.

This list is just a highlight of areas of concern, but it gives us a good reminder of how much information we should not gather or consider in the hiring of a new employee.

A question I get a lot:  What if the applicant volunteers this information without me asking?  I would advise to refrain from commenting or taking note.  If they put a picture on their resume, cover it up, so that it can’t be stated that it was used in their favor or against them in any way.

One last word of advice in interviewing:  Consistency.  This is key!  I always advise to make a spreadsheet with questions you want to ask your applicants.  Ask the same questions of each one interviewed for the job.  This will assure that everyone has been assessed equally.   Keep all notes in a separate file.  Reminder:  do not write on the application or the resume, take notes separately.

When you are ready to hire, Infinium can help you set the foundation for good hiring practices. Just give us a call or email at info@infiniumhr.com.