If in an interview a female is asked ''what are your thoughts about having motherhood in near future?'' she will be shocked for a moment as is her answer on this anywhere related to a job interview?, but then she should consider all the alternatives before answering. They may be:
- She can be true to herself going against her wish.
- Can be straight forward and answer that this is truly her personal matter and asking such questions is illegal.
- Can maturely understand the purpose of the question and handle it accordingly.
And she can say: “Even if she plans for motherhood in future, it is nowhere related to her career goals and she would keep her personal life always different from his professional life no matter what happens.”
But the matter of fact is why such type of personal questions are asked in an interview?
Why personal factors of child planning, marriage plans and retirement decisions are included in an interview? The reason is they want to test your capability of finding a solution to a problem.
The other basic reason behind such questions is your long term commitment with the company and not just till you plan the next personal occasion of your life. There is a big biasness here as such personal questions are never asked to a male candidate and considered as an illegal act to hire/reject one on basis of that.
Ideally it is out of legal limits for an interviewer to make employment decisions based on anything that is personal and not related to the job. Few jobs do demand answers of such questions which may ask for details of your age, marital status, country or jurisdiction you belong, religion/caste, your sexual nature and health.
There is an ambiguity in some questions, on legal terms it is said that, those personal questions which are related to your job role are allowed in an interview or on job application form. Let’s have a look at few of them:
Legally acceptable questions:
1. Have you ever been contempt of any criminal or illegal activity?
This generally depends on the complexity and importance of job you are applying for. E.g.: army or navy or police.
2. Provide evidence of your eligibility to work in India?
Every candidate has to provide his educational and birth proofs at the time of joining a company.
3. Are you physically fit for the desired job profile?
This question may necessary for a person that his eyesight is as per the desired standard if he is applying for Driver’s job.
The main reason behind such questions is your suitability towards your job. If your past records don’t prove you to be ethical then you are not suitable for an army’s job. The intention behind such questions should be to test your skills and qualifications for the job and not judge you on your personal grounds.
If you are going for such job roles which demands such questions you should be aware of their best possible answers so that it make the best out of it and also take you out of any uncomfortable situations at the time of interview.
