Examples of illegal interview questions

These are questions that should NOT be asked in an interview by an employer:

  • Are you married?
  • How old are you?
  • Do you have children?
  • What is your sexual preference?
  • Do you go to church?
  • Do you have a disability? If so, what is it?
  • How much do you weigh?
  • How tall are you?
  • Is your childcare taken care of and who is your provider?
  • Do you own your home or rent?
  • Do you plan on having children/more children?
  • Would you like to go out with me?
  • Tell us something about any personal, family, or health issues that will prevent you from doing your job.
  • What does your spouse do?
  • What political party do you belong to?
  • How much money did you make last year?
  • Have you been arrested and if so, what was the charge?
  • What is your opinion on (politics, social groups, religion)?
  • Do you drink, take drugs, both?

If you are asked any illegal question, your options include the following:

  • Answer the question
  • Gently refuse to answer the question
  • Change the subject
  • Make a "joke" about the question (Be Careful - this can be difficult)
  • Return the question to the interviewer with another question:
    • "Why do you ask?"
    • "How does this apply to the job?"
    • "If I don't answer, will I automatically not get the job?"
    • "Are you aware that you have just asked me an illegal question?"