Some Job Interview Questions Are Off Limits, and Candidates Need Not Answer Them
Employers must respect boundaries in job interviews: the law prohibits asking about matters such as pregnancy, family status or religious beliefs. Candidates are under no obligation to answer such questions.
The purpose of a job interview is to establish whether a candidate's skills, experience and professional knowledge fit the position. Sometimes, however, the conversation drifts to topics unrelated to the job, which can put the applicant in an awkward position.
What employers may not ask
Wanting to get to know a candidate better does not give an employer the right to ask about anything. Some questions are prohibited by law, and applicants have no obligation to answer them. These can concern, for example:
- pregnancy;
- family or marital status;
- religious beliefs;
- membership of a political party or trade union.
Why it matters to candidates
Refusing to answer a question may seem risky to an applicant. The situation is especially uncomfortable if the candidate fears that declining could affect their chances of getting the job.
For this reason, it is worth knowing before an interview not only how to talk about your experience, but also how to respond if the conversation turns to a subject that has no connection to the role. Employers, too, must observe certain limits during interviews.
