Selection
Process
Acceptable
and Unacceptable Interview
Questions
Three Rules of
Thumb
When asking interview questions, you should consider three rules of thumb.
1. Ask only for information that you intend to use to make hiring decisions.
2. Know how you will use the information to make that decision.
3. Recognize that it is difficult to defend the practice of seeking information that you do not use.
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Gender and Family Questions |
Acceptable
gender and family related questions:
Does the candidate have any relatives employed by the university? |
Unacceptable
gender and family related questions:Marital status
Spouse’s occupation
Number of children
Maiden name (of married women) |
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Color or Race Questions |
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No questions may be asked in relation to race. |
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Age Questions |
Acceptable
age related questions:
Is the candidate over 18?
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Unacceptable
age related questions:
Age
Date of birth
Date of high-school
graduation
Ages of
children
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Arrest Record and Conviction Questions |
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Disclosure of a criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment consideration. Each case must be judged on its own merits, based on the job relatedness, nature, and severity of the conviction as well as how long ago it occurred.
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Acceptable
arrest and conviction related questions:
Has the candidate has ever been convicted of a crime? (If yes, you may ask for details about the conviction, however there must be a direct relationship between the job and the offense if you plan on using the conviction as a basis for denial of the position.) |
Unacceptable
arrest and conviction related questions:How many times have you been arrested?
What kind of offenses have you been arrested for?
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Religion Questions |
Acceptable religion related questions:
Whether or not candidate is able to work on the days and times required by the job. |
Unacceptable
religion related questions:
Religious affiliation
What Religious holidays
do you observe?
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Citizenship Questions |
Acceptable
citizenship related questions:
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa status?
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Unacceptable
citizenship related questions:
Visa type
In what country the
candidate is a citizen
Is the candidate a
naturalized or native-born
citizen
Whether candidate’s parents or spouse are naturalized or native
born U.S. citizens
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Disability Questions |
Acceptable
disability related questions:
Can the candidate perform the essential job-related functions with or without accommodations?
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Unacceptable
disability related questions:
If the candidate has a
disability
Nature or level of
disability
Past medical problems
Recent or past surgeries
and dates
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Education Questions |
Acceptable
education related questions:
Candidate’s academic, vocational, or professional education?
Name of schools candidate has attended?
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Unacceptable
education related questions:
There are no restrictions on educational related questions, however DO NOT ask the candidate for dates of attendance or graduation, until AFTER they are hired.
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Liability and Dependability Questions: |
Acceptable
liability and dependability related questions:
What was your absentee record at your prior place of employment?
Are you available to work overtime?
Do you know of any reason (for example, transportation, or any other reason) why you would not be able to get to work on time and on a regular basis?
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Unacceptable
liability and dependability related questions:
What kind of child-care
arrangements do you have?
How do you get to work?
Do you own a home?
Do you have any debts?
Do you have any loans?
Does your spouse live with you or contribute to your support?
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Career and Geographical commitment Questions: |
Acceptable career and
geographical related
questions:Do you intend to stay in
the area
We are looking for
employees with a commitment
to this position
Are there any reasons
why you might not stay with
us?
What are your career
objectives?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
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Unacceptable
career and geographical related questions:Do you plan to get
married?
Do you plan to have
children?
Is your spouse likely to
be transferred?
Is your spouse from this
area?
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