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