What They Can't Ask: Discriminatory Interview Questions

Interviewing for jobs can be an exciting as well as a nerve-racking process that can leave people confused, dazed, or unsure of themselves. As many applicants feel like the interviewer is in charge of their fate, some make the mistake of feeling the need to respond to questions that they feel uncomfortable answering. When an interviewer is interviewing an applicant, they should be doing so in a professional manner; sadly, this is not always the case. Before you head into the interview room, there are a few things to keep in mind in addition to how to respond to the occasional esoteric mind-stretching question. 

1. Does this question have anything to do with the position?
If an employer asks a question that has nothing to do with the position, the interviewer may have another reason for asking such a question. While, at times, these questions can be just to get a better picture of you as an individual, there are occasions when the interviewer has an ulterior motive for asking such a question. In this case, the interviewer is acting in an nonprofessional manner. 

2. Does this question meet the criteria of being discriminatory?
There is a wide variety of questions that typically do not have anything to do with the position and can border on harassment. If the interviewer asks any questions about your religious beliefs, your race, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family status, these questions can actually be deemed illegal in certain instances. Still, this brings us to the next point.

3. What is the interviewer's intent by asking such questions? 
Even if someone asks what can be deemed as a discriminatory question, there is a chance that the question was asked in ignorance of federal and state laws that ban such questions. The interviewee may not be meaning any offense, but rather is just ignorantly curious of someone's home life. Other reasons for asking such questions can relate back to number 1; that it has something to do with the position. If your faith requires you to have an unshorn beard of a lose-fitting head covering, this can pose a threat to your own safety in position working with fast-moving machinery or can possibly be in violation of the company's dress code. While hats may be against company policy, one with a religious requirement can typically request accommodation for the faith. 

Before getting bent out of shape over a question that may have been asked without any negative intent, try either changing the subject or politely refusing to answer a certain question. If the interviewer continues to press the issue after you've made it clear that you're uncomfortable with answering the unrelated question, evaluate whether or not you desire to work for a company that allows people to ask such questions. Still, most companies do not encourage such discriminatory lines of questioning. If you feel like you've been the victim of discrimination based on your faith, an unrelated disability, sexual orientation, race, national origin, birth place, or your family status, you can mention this to someone else within the company or file a claim of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

It is important to remain calm and confident in a job interview; no matter the questions asked. While there are some who feel the need to ask inappropriate questions, most all interviewers will proceed with the interview in a strictly professional manner.

For help finding Tulsa jobs or Oklahoma City jobs, start your search with the employment services of Barracuda Staffing.