What not to ask as an interviewer?

As an interviewer, there are certain types of questions you should avoid asking to ensure a professional, fair, and legal interview process. Here’s a list of what not to ask during an interview:

1. Personal or Discriminatory Questions

Avoid any questions related to an applicant’s personal life that could be considered discriminatory or irrelevant to their ability to perform the job. Questions about age, gender, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin are off-limits, as they may violate employment laws.

• Examples to Avoid:

  • "How old are you?"
  • "Are you married or do you have kids?"
  • "What religion do you practice?"
  • "Where were you born?"

• Why to Avoid: These questions can lead to discrimination claims and are often illegal under employment laws like the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) guidelines.

2. Questions About Health or Disability

You should not ask about a candidate’s physical or mental health unless it directly pertains to their ability to perform essential job functions. Even then, these questions must be phrased carefully to avoid discrimination.

• Examples to Avoid:
  • "Do you have any health issues we should know about?"
  • "Do you have any disabilities?"
• Why to Avoid: Asking about health or disabilities could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects candidates from discrimination based on physical or mental disabilities.

3. Questions About Family or Plans for Children

Asking about family life or plans for having children is inappropriate and can be seen as discriminatory, especially towards women. These questions are irrelevant to a candidate’s professional abilities.

• Examples to Avoid:

  • "Do you plan to have children soon?"
  • "How will you manage childcare while working?"

• Why to Avoid: These questions could imply bias against individuals based on family planning or caregiving responsibilities and may result in discrimination claims.

4. Questions About Political Affiliation

An applicant’s political beliefs or affiliations have no bearing on their ability to do the job and should not be brought up in the interview process.

• Examples to Avoid:

  • "Which political party do you support?"
  • "Who did you vote for in the last election?"

• Why to Avoid: Political views are personal and unrelated to job performance. Asking these questions can create unnecessary tension and lead to bias in hiring decisions.

5. Questions About Salary History

Many places have laws prohibiting employers from asking about an applicant’s salary history, as it can perpetuate wage disparities. Focus on what the role pays rather than what the candidate earned in the past.

• Examples to Avoid:
  • "What was your salary at your last job?"
• Why to Avoid: Asking about salary history can contribute to pay inequality. Instead, discuss salary expectations or the range for the position.

6. Questions That Could Be Perceived as Invasive or Irrelevant

Avoid questions that invade personal privacy or are not relevant to the job. This includes asking about hobbies, social life, or other non-professional interests unless they directly relate to the role.

• Examples to Avoid:
  • "What do you like to do for fun?"
  • "Where do you live?"
• Why to Avoid: These questions can come across as invasive and irrelevant to the candidate’s ability to perform the job.

7. Hypothetical Questions That Lack Clarity

While hypothetical questions can sometimes reveal how a candidate thinks, avoid vague or poorly constructed scenarios that don’t tie back to the job.

• Examples to Avoid:

  • "If you were a superhero, what power would you want?"
  • "If you could be any animal, which one would you choose?"

• Why to Avoid: These questions might not provide useful information about the candidate’s skills or abilities and can feel unprofessional.

8. Overly Personal or Casual Questions

While it’s important to build rapport with candidates, don’t ask overly casual or personal questions that could make them uncomfortable or seem irrelevant.

• Examples to Avoid:

  • "What’s your social media handle?"
  • "Do you go out a lot?"

• Why to Avoid: These questions can seem invasive and detract from the professionalism of the interview.

Summary of What Not to Ask as an Interviewer:

1. Personal or Discriminatory Questions: Avoid questions about age, gender, religion, race, or marital status.
2. Questions About Health or Disability: Don’t ask about health conditions unless they relate to job performance.
3. Questions About Family or Plans for Children: Avoid asking about family life or plans for children.
4. Questions About Political Affiliation: Don’t bring up politics in an interview.
5. Questions About Salary History: In many places, it’s illegal to ask about salary history.
6. Invasive or Irrelevant Questions: Keep the interview focused on job-related topics.
7. Vague Hypothetical Questions: Avoid unclear hypothetical scenarios that don’t reveal relevant skills.
8. Overly Personal or Casual Questions: Don’t ask questions that could be seen as invasive or irrelevant.

By avoiding these types of questions, you can ensure the interview remains professional, legal, and focused on evaluating the candidate’s qualifications and fit for the role.