Inappropriate Job Interview Questions

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Just to update you guys, I was called back for a second interview a week later.....I DECLINED!! I would never work for a company like that.

Power to the people! It must feel good to say, "take this job and shove it!"

[Know_Ledge 6]

Power to the people! It must feel good to say, "take this job and shove it!"

:yes:

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

Well, I had a phone interview earlier this week. It all seemed to be going well until the interviewer started asking immigration related questions.

She started with a harmless question about whether I was authorized to work in the U.S. I replied that I am authorized to work here in the U.S.

She then asked what authorizes me to work in the U.S. I told her that I am a permanent resident.

She went on to say that they normally do background checks on candidates going back 10 yrs asked if I believe that there was anything in my background that would prevent me from passing a background check.

I informed her that I do would not have any problem passing a background check. However, I have been resident in the United States for 4 yrs. I continued, telling her that I was a member of the St. Lucia police force for 8yrs. Since the police force is a government entity it would be easy to verify my background. I further told her that in order to be a member of the police force, it must be verified that I am free from criminal convictions or any such activity.

Her next question was since I have been in the United States for only 4 yrs, how is it that I am a permanent resident. I told her that I am married to a U.S. citizen so I was able to obtain permanent residence on that basis.

From there she continued the interview and told me that I would be scheduled for an in person interview next week.

The interview was on Thursday morning earlier this week, and I have not gotten any emails from the company thus far. I have started making notes just in case I do not hear anything further from the company.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You had an interview. The person interviewing you had questions, wanted to know more about you. There's nothing illegal or inappropriate about this.

[Samuel5028 2]

Now a days, In every interview they test us by asking personal questions. Maybe to check how mentally we are strong. If we answer it in smart way obviously we will the get the job. So dont lose your hope and take this interview as your experience. Be prepared and do well in the next interview. All the best!!!

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

This is the update of my interview experience.

My interview was only confirmed yesterday evening and it took place today at 9. I can it an interview but it was actually 4 interviews over a 3 hour time span. I think I did very well and I am hoping to hear about the end result by next week.

I know I was worried about nothing but after applying for hundreds of positions and not getting responses you can sometimes over-analyse some things.

Edited April 12, 2012 by Mel_and_Daniel

[Mike B. 231]

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Mike B -

Because it's an important issue?

You had an interview. The person interviewing you had questions, wanted to know more about you. There's nothing illegal or inappropriate about this.

Wrong. Answer.

[Mike B. 231]

Mike B -

Because it's an important issue?

Wrong. Answer.

Sure. It's important. I'm just remarking on the fact that this thread seems to have no end. The problem was resolved what, a month and a half ago? It keeps getting topped. That's fine by me, though.

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

I have another update but I'm curious if Mike can guess what its going to be...

I'll let you know if you guessed right..

[Iyawo Ijebu 157]

Yeah, I agree ! but, it is still an honorable thing to do -- being able to control our emotion or anger when we are prompted to a similar situations. Only very few people can manage their anger on the right time. I salute the poster though !

I agree

[study_up 1]

Actually there's nothing illegal about asking whether they're legal to work. They're SUPPOSED to ask that.

The OP also volunteered the information about the gap in history due to pregnancy so there's no violation there either.

The questions following the volunteering of the complicated pregnancy WERE unprofessional (some but not all. Like asking whether she's planning on remaining in the States is a valid qn 'cause they prefer to hire people that aren't planning to leave) and more like a little chat than an interview. I personally am ALWAYS asked questions like "What brought you to the States?" "Where did you meet your husband?" "How long have you been here?". They're harmless questions in my opinion.

Problem is if the OP has already been rejected for the job it will just look like she's making things up. I would complain BEFORE being hired or rejected so there's no question about it. It could be the norm to ask SOME questions about personal life (like I mentioned are asked of me) but several of the questions are nothing to do with it (living with his mother?? What does that have to do with anything?).

actually its not "harmless" to ask about marital status while interviewing people its illegal. even if you know you are not discriminating, it gives that appearane

[DandT14 272]

I just wanted to throw in that at my job, we ask every applicant if, upon hire, they could provide proof of eligibility of employment. As long as they mark "yes" we move on. I don't ask about it in interviews, because there's nothing else I need to know unless I actually hire the person.

The bottom line is the majority of rules for interviewing applicants are based on fear of getting sued. Keeps most (though clearly not all) employers in line.

[Mike B. 231]

I have another update but I'm curious if Mike can guess what its going to be...

I'll let you know if you guessed right..

I don't know.