For instance, what would be your answer if you had been asked as to what would you do if you get pregnant? You would have shocked the interviewer if your answer was that you were infertile. But are you sure you would get the job?
A candidate was asked whether his boss was a jerk. Not knowing why that question was asked, he answered that his boss “makes an impression”.
Though difficult, keep your cool always when you are in the hot seat, even if the questions fall under the illegal category. Never say anything negative about your past employer.
Reacting
You cannot have right answers to irritating questions. Confusion, anger and panic are normal responses to such questions. In such situations, you should control your emotions if you want to get the interview back on to the track. Understand that the interviewer was just testing your confidence and how would handle a situation under pressure. So don't get panicky.
When an inappropriate question is put, you can politely tell the interviewer that the question made you feel a bit uncomfortable and ask him instead to elaborate on what he would expect from you. This strategy works without offending the interviewer.
It is better to practice how to answer inappropriate questions. Suppose if you have to explain a gap in your career, be prepared to list out the skills you acquired in that period or tell the interviewer as to how you had worked as a volunteer during that period.
But some interviewers consistently dwell on areas they should not. Off-limit topics include family situation, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual preferences, race and any questions leading to more knowledge about the candidate such as “Do you need to make any special arrangements for your family if you are hired?” or “ Did you ever absented from work because of illness or accident ?”
If you are sure the questions put to you are illegal, you can tell the interviewer so, understanding that the interview would be over and not end up in employment. If you feel certain that you were denied employment only because you belonged to a protected class, you can file charges with a state or federal agency. But be sure that your chances of winning the case are very low.
You have no control, of course, over what the interviewer asks you. But you have control over your response. So set the tone that you have come to discuss why you are the right person for the job and nothing else.
