Questions to Ask
Following are some questions you should consider asking to make each interview a true give-and-take situation. And then, upon receiving an offer, you will have solicited the information needed to make a sensible, reasoned, and informed decision. Again, look for statements or questions on which you might "piggyback" your questions.
1. Why is the position open? How long has it been open? (Is there something wrong with the position? Now is the time to find out. If you aren't satisfied with the response don't hesitate, dig a little deeper.)
2. What happened to the previous job holder? Has he been promoted? (Does this mean it can happen to you? How? How soon?)
3. What is the career path associated with this position?
4. Who would be my boss? Can I meet her? What is her background?
5. What is your management philosophy?
6. How, by whom, and how often, would my performance be evaluated?
7. Where would my work area or office be? Can I see it?
8. Something in my resume must have captured your interest.
Would you mind sharing that with me? (The answer can reveal what it is they are really interested in.)
9. What is the company's posture in the marketplace?
10. What are some problems in my area of interest?
11. What is the company's practice regarding salary increases? Promotions?
12. Who would I be working with? Who would be working for me?
13. What is the chain of command?
14. How often do you have staff meetings? Is there an agenda?
15. Would you mind sharing a little of your background with me?
16. What are the benefits? Are there any waiting periods?
(These two final questions should be held in abeyance until the end of the interview or better yet until a follow-up interview.)
17. What is the salary range or salary? Is the salary negotiable?
Illegal Interview Questions
You should not be asked the following questions. They're illegal. However, interviewers who lack knowledge or training may ask them anyway, so be prepared.
- How old are you? (Can be answered after you are hired.)
- What is your year of birth? (Can be answered after you are hired.)
- Do you attend church? Which one?
- Do you have an arrest record? (Security clearance can be conducted prior to hiring.)
- What type of military discharge did you get?
- What clubs and organizations are you a member of?
- What is your marital status? Are you divorced? Separated? (Can be answered after hiring for insurance purposes.)
- Do you have any children? What are their ages?
- Do you own a car? (Can be asked regarding transportation to a job.)
- Do you own or rent a home?
- What does your spouse do for a living?
- What was your maiden name?
- What is your race?
How to Handle Illegal Questions
You don't have to answer these questions, but you may volunteer an answer or two if you feel that doing so won't violate your integrity and might bolster your candidacy. For example, suppose the position involves travel and overnight stays away from home.
Obviously an employer would never hire a person for such a position if it might cause problems at home. In this instance, you might volunteer that you… do own a car, enjoy traveling, and, being single, don't need to be concerned with problems or ties back home."
When an employer asks you an illegal question, it can present you with a definite predicament. Perhaps you don't mind answering the question, but you may resent the fact that the interviewer asked. You might feel if you avoid answering the question your chances of getting the job will be greatly reduced.
What can you do? While there is no guaranteed strategy, here are several options:
- You can walk out and forget about the job.
- You can walk out, forget about the job, and file a complaint with the appropriate federal or state agency.
- You can inform the interviewer that he has no right to ask such a question.
- You can answer it.
- You can smile and place the ball back in his court (just as my wife did).
