How to handle an illegal question during interview?

[joffre]

If asked an illegal question, you have three options:

1. You can answer the question—you’re free to do so, if you wish. However, if you choose to answer an illegal question, remember that you are giving information that isn’t related to the job; in fact, you might be giving the “wrong” answer, which could harm your chances of getting the job.
2. You can refuse to answer the question, which is well within your rights. Unfortunately, depending on how you phrase your refusal, you run the risk of appearing uncooperative or confrontational—hardly words an employer would use to describe the “ideal” candidate.
3. You can examine the question for its intent and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job. For example, the interviewer asks, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” or “What country are you from?” You’ve been asked an illegal question. You could respond, however, with “I am authorized to work in the United States.” Similarly, let’s say the interviewer asks, “Who is going to take care of your children when you have to travel for the job?” You might answer, “I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires.”

[cbdarts]

Originally Posted by joffre

If asked an illegal question, you have three options:

1. You can answer the question—you’re free to do so, if you wish. However, if you choose to answer an illegal question, remember that you are giving information that isn’t related to the job; in fact, you might be giving the “wrong” answer, which could harm your chances of getting the job.
2. You can refuse to answer the question, which is well within your rights. Unfortunately, depending on how you phrase your refusal, you run the risk of appearing uncooperative or confrontational—hardly words an employer would use to describe the “ideal” candidate.
3. You can examine the question for its intent and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job. For example, the interviewer asks, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” or “What country are you from?” You’ve been asked an illegal question. You could respond, however, with “I am authorized to work in the United States.” Similarly, let’s say the interviewer asks, “Who is going to take care of your children when you have to travel for the job?” You might answer, “I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires.”

Those questions are not illegal - just friendly questions.

Chaitanya

[encoder]

From my point of view, there are no such things as illegal questions. Employers can ask about anything under the sun, and it will depend on you how to deal with such questions. An employer will know how worthy are you for the work you are applying by answering the questions in a professional way.

For example, an employer will ask about the weather. It is very far from the work you are applying, lets say accountant. The employer might just be testing you if you are up-to-date with the things happening around you. And that's one important thing an employee must have, knowing the current events.

Or another example, an employer might ask if you have a partner in life. A personal question that must not be ask by an employer, you will say. But the employer might just trying you if you can handle your job without the connection of your feelings. You can answer that question and then along with your answer is going back to your job application. For example: "I have a girlfriend and our relationship is going straight for 4 years. That's why I have applied for this position in order for me to have better income and save for our future."

Other questions sometimes even annoy us, but we must not lose our composure. The employers might not be in the mood or might be deliberately asking those questions to test you how to handle stressful situations.

As a rule for me, everytime I go for an interview. I prepare myself to be calm and to be tactful. Interviews are the open doors for getting your job. Don't let the employer close it, have the confidence of getting that job.

[blenda]

There are certain illegal questions that employers do ask but you can answer them tactfully. Here's the link to some of the illegal questions and how to answer them correctly.

http://www.exforsys.com/forum/interv...questions.html