| As the MD of a recruitment agency for all kinds of | | | | of outside commitments, maternity/paternity leave |
| online marketing and online travel jobs, I know how | | | | and flexible working requests. An employer can ask if |
| stressful interviews can be for a candidate. | | | | for any reason you may have any difficulties with |
| Whenever you travel to a job interview, it is only | | | | certain aspects of the job; travel abroad, being away |
| natural that on the way you'll try and think about | | | | from home for extended periods of time, doing large |
| every possible question that you might be asked and | | | | portions of overtime where necessary and so on, |
| try and devise an answer to them. But there a few | | | | but they cannot ask direct questions about family |
| that you can cross off the list, as there are some | | | | circumstances. |
| interview questions that potential employers simply | | | | Are you a member of a trade union? |
| aren't allowed to ask... | | | | Employers aren't allowed to ask about your outside |
| How old are you? | | | | associations in an interview, such as your membership |
| It may seem like a very innocuous interview | | | | of trade unions. These associations don't have any |
| question, but due to the new age discrimination laws, | | | | bearing on your capacity to do the job, and could be |
| it is now illegal to ask a candidate how old they are. | | | | used to discriminate against you. This extends to |
| It isn't just older people who complain about age | | | | political and religious organisations as well, so if any |
| discrimination - many younger candidates claim they | | | | questions crop up concerning your political or religious |
| are discriminated because they are too young, with | | | | commitments these topics are very much out of |
| employers assuming that they will not have the | | | | bounds. |
| experience or maturity for the position. | | | | Are you gay? |
| An exception to this rule is when a candidate's age is | | | | Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is |
| classed as a "genuine occupational qualification". This | | | | illegal, and it is difficult to think of an acceptable |
| applies in the army and the police, for example, which | | | | reason why a potential employer would need to |
| have minimum ages for employment. Of course, that | | | | know this information. In addition to questions about |
| doesn't apply to my candidates who are looking for | | | | sexual orientation, most questions about your |
| online marketing jobs, and it probably won't apply to | | | | personal life are illegal - for example, asking someone |
| most jobs that you are likely to apply for - if | | | | if they drink heavily as a form of recreation. |
| someone asks you for your age (this includes date | | | | If you are faced with one of these interview |
| of birth questions on application forms) they are | | | | questions, it is best to remember that in all likelihood |
| straying into dangerous territory. | | | | your interviewer doesn't realise that they are doing |
| Are you married? | | | | something wrong. Directly confronting them and |
| This might come across as an ice breaker, and | | | | embarrassing them is unlikely to secure the position. |
| sometimes it is - but for many employers this isn't a | | | | You have the choice of politely asking the |
| casual interview question. Some employers prefer | | | | interviewer why the question is relevant to the |
| single employees, regarding them as being more | | | | position (giving them the chance to rephrase the |
| committed to their careers, unlikely to become | | | | question), or you can try and answer the question |
| bogged down in family commitments, and more willing | | | | indirectly. For instance, if someone asks about marital |
| to do overtime or long distance travel for a job. | | | | or family commitments, you could use it as an |
| Other employers prefer married employees who may | | | | opportunity to state your strong commitment to |
| be steadier and more reliable. Either way, you don't | | | | your work and your willingness to work long hours |
| have to answer this question in an interview. | | | | (that is, if you really want the position!) But make |
| Do you intend to start a family in the near future? | | | | sure you know your rights, and always remember |
| This is a big no-no in an interview situation. For | | | | the interview questions that your potential employer |
| obvious reasons, some employers aren't keen on | | | | cannot ask you. |
| their employees having children, with resultant issues | | | | |