5 Job Interview Questions You Never Have to Answer and Heres Why

5 Job Interview Questions You Never Have to Answer and Heres Why5 Job Interview Questions You Never Have to Answer - and Heres Why Despite your best efforts, you can never predict exactly whats going to happen during a job einstellungsgesprch . Sometimes a hiring manager asks a question that completely stumps you.Other times, an interviewer crossesthe line , whether they mean to or bedrngnis. Not only are some questions inappropriate for a job interview - some are actuallyillegal.Here are five illegal interview questions you should never have to answer - and some tips on how to respond if an interviewer asks them anyway.Job interviewers are welcome to dig into your work experience and education, but they shouldnt ask about your age. It is a seemingly innocent question, but employers are prohibited from asking it, said human resources expertsPinar Ozcelik and Cameron Atkinson from SuperCareer.com .Plus, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects workers over the age of 40. Nobodycan be rejected from a role for simply being too old, said HR consultant StevePritchard of cuuver.com . If the skills are there, they deserve the saatkorn opportunity as people younger than them, and must be judged on the same merits, regardless of age.Chances are, an employer wont ask you this question point blank. But they could go about it in a subtle way, like asking when you graduated from high school or college. If you sense an interviewer is trying to root out your age, steer the conversation back toward your relevant skills and experiences.You can refuse to answer the question, said Ozcelik and Atkinson. Or make a joke out of it by saying My age is a secret, but I am old enough to work for you. Remember that you have no obligation to provide any information that could reflect your age.2. Do you have kids, or are you planning to?Over 75 percent of senior-level women in tech areasked about kids, family, or marriage, accordingto the Elephant i n the Valley survey . Inappropriate questionsabout family life and plans especially affect women. Employers could turn down an applicant they expect to take maternity leave in the future.Employers might also assume someone with a family needs extra time off or cant keep regular hours. If work schedule is a concern, an interviewer can ask about your time commitment or ability to travel. But personal questions about kids or family are off the table.Valerie Streif, a senior advisor at The Mentat , said hiring managers might seek this information in subtle ways. Do you ever get overwhelmed? is a sneaky question, said Streif. It could be a way for them to figure out if you are good with time management, or it could be more malicious to obtain personal information about what you have going on outside the office.So, how can you respond if you get illegal interview questions like these and still want the job? Jennine Leale, CEO of HR Pro ConsultingServices ,suggested telling the interview er itisnt a concern and wont interfere with yourability to do the job.Even if you know fully well you may get pregnant, are pregnant, have children its none of their business, said Leale. You are protected by law.Inquiring aboutyour relationshipstatus is another job interview no-no. Interviewers may ask about your personal life as a way to get to know you. But they could also be making assumptions about your level of commitment to the job. Worst case scenario, someone could use this intel to discriminate against your sexual orientation.Its a red flag if the interviewer asks what your significant otherthinks of you taking on a job, said Streif. This is illegal and shows they are trying to fish to see if you have a family or are married, but it can appear subtle, so sometimes interviewers get away with it, she said.If you sense an interviewer is veering into overly personal territory, steer the conversation back to the jobat hand.4. What country are you or your parents from?Questions about national origin, race, or ethnicity are another problemapplicants face. Althoughan employer can ask if youre a U.S. citizen, they shouldnt pry into where exactly you or your ancestors are from.Questions about your country of origin are off limits during job interviews, said Ozcelik and Atkinson. Your best answer for any of these questions if you do not feel comfortable answering them is Yes, I am legally authorized to work in the United States. This answer is respectful while still firmly asserting your legal rights.If youre worried about these typesof illegal interview questions, another potential response is to talk about where youre currently living. Or, you could honestly tell the interviewer youre not comfortable with the question . A competent interviewerwill realize they crossed the line and reverse course.5. What was your salary in your brde job?Many employers ask about past salaries, but in some citiesand states that question is against the law. Philadelphia, New Yor k City, and Massachusetts, for instance, all bar hiring managers from asking about past salaries.These laws are a way to address the gender pay gap. The Institute for Womens Policy Research found that women earn 20 percent less than men for the same job. If employers base their salary decisions on past salaries, theyll just keep up this divide.Before heading into an interview, prepareto talk about salary expectations. Even if it isnt against the law for them to ask in your state, you dont have to tell them (and most times its in your best interest not to tell them). Instead, talk about the value youll bring to the position theyre interviewing you for, and what thats worth. Discuss your expected salary, not your current or past.Know your rights during a job interviewAlthoughyou might have to answer a lotof questions during an interview, there are some that should nevercome up. Generally speaking, you shouldnt have to speak on any of the following topicsSome hiring managersmight not realize theyre asking illegal interview questions. Gauging for culture fit, for instance, can cause some interviewers to pry too much into someones personal life.Whether the interviewer intends to discriminate or not, these are illegal questions to ask in an interview according to federal and state law.Under Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against any individual because of such individuals race, color, religion, sex or national origin, said Robert Odell , an employment lawyer in Los Angeles.How to handle inappropriate or illegal interview questionsUnfortunately, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation during a job interview. Some interviewers might disregard these anti-discrimination rules. Others might simply be unaware of illegal questions to ask in an interview. Some could just be making small talk without realizing the error of their ways.If you still really want the job, you could simply say the question d oesnt affect your commitment to the position. Or, you could say you dont feel comfortable sharing that part of your identity, but youre happy to talk about other relevant experiences .If an interviewer goes overboard, you could choose to take legal recourse. To proceed, contact a lawyer or your local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) office. Theyll instruct you on filinga claim with the EEOC.By knowing your rights as an applicant, you can prepare to handle any illegal interview questions that come your way.This article was originally published by Student Loan Hero . Reprinted with permission.