JOB INTERVIEW

A job interview is a one-on-one interview consisting of a conversation between a job applicant and a representative of an employer which is conducted to assess whether the applicant should be hired. Interviews are one of the most popularly used devices for employee selection. Potential job interview opportunities also include networking events and career fairs.

A job interview typically precedes the hiring decision. Besides, the job interview is considered one of the most useful tools for evaluating potential employees.

The interview is usually preceded by the evaluation of submitted resumes from interested candidates, possibly by examining job applications or reading many resumes. Next, after this screening, a small number of candidates for interviews is selected (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_interview).

There are several types of questions interviewers ask applicants. The type of questions asked can affect applicant reactions. Some of the common questions on the mind of the hiring manager include:

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Do you have any health problem? Have you ever been hospitalized?

3. What do you think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

4. How would describe your personality?

5. Have you ever been working under stress?

6. When did you last lose your temper? Describe what happened.

7. Do you regard yourself as an ambitious person?

8. What is more important to you: status or money?

9. What excites you about the job you are doing now?

10. What worries you about the job you are doing now?

11. What makes you think that you would enjoy working for us?

12. How long do you think you'd stay with us if you were appointed?

13. How do you like your present job?

14. What are your most proud of having done in your present job?

15. What was the worst problem you have had in your present job?

16. Why do you want to leave your present job?

17. What do you think an ideal boss is like?

18. How often were you absent from your previous job?

19. Why should we hire you instead of one of the other candidates?

20. What sort of salary are you looking for?

However, in many countries laws are put into place to prevent organizations from engaging in discriminatory practices against protected classes when selecting individuals for jobs. In the United States, it is unlawful for private employers with 15 or more employees along with state and local government employers to discriminate against applicants based on the following: race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or over), disability, or genetic information (note: additional classes may be protected depending on state or local law). More specifically, an employer cannot legally "fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privilege of employment" or "to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_interview).

Given these laws, organizations are limited in the types of questions they legally are allowed to ask applicants in a job interview. Asking these questions may cause discrimination against protected classes. For example, in the majority of situations it is illegal to ask the following questions in an interview as a condition of employment:

1. Do you have any physical or mental disabilities?

Such question is illegal because it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a qualified applicant or employee with disability.

2. When are you planning to have children?

This question classified into illegal question because sex is a federally protected class, which means an employer cannot discriminate against a male or female job applicant.

3. Will you need time off for religious holidays?

Religious discrimination is strictly prohibited. That is why such question is illegal to be asked in an interview. Employers are not allowed to make hiring decisions based on a person's religious beliefs, observances, or practices.

4. What is your nationality?

This is an illegal question because national origin is a federally protected class. Consequently, employers cannot base hiring decision on whether an applicant is from a different country or of a specific ethnicity.

5. What is your political affiliation?

Political affiliation is a personal preference and is a private thing. Everyone have freedom to choose what party they are supporting. That is why employers should not discriminate applicants against their political affiliation.

Then, how to answer those questions?

When an interviewee is asked illegal questions by the employer, He or She is always have the option to refuse to answer the question or to answer the question politely. For example, when a question about physical or mental disabilities comes out, you can answer such question by saying that you are confident that you will be able to handle the requirements of this position.

Also, when you are asked such what is your nationality, what is your political affiliation, when are you planning to have children, or will you need time off for religious holiday, you can answer by saying that you are confident that those things (nationality, political affiliation, children, and religious beliefs) will not interfere with your ability to do your job.

General questions are viewed more positively than situational or behavioral questions and 'illegal' interview questions may be perceived as negative being perceived unrelated to the job, unfair, or unclear how to answer. Using questions that discriminating unfairly in law unsurprisingly are viewed negatively with applicants less likely to accept a job offer, or to recommend the organization to others.

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