The 5 key areas of illegal interview questions to avoid involve Age, Race/Origin, Religion, Marital/Family Status, and Disability/Health, as these touch upon protected characteristics that can lead to discrimination claims under laws like Title VII and the ADA, with common prohibited questions asking about birthdate, ancestry, religious affiliation, if you have kids, or past illnesses. Legal alternatives focus on a candidate's ability to perform the job, like "Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?" or "Can you perform the essential functions of the job?".
(Wait until later in the process to inquire about these things.) Never ask “What does your company do?” • Never ask “If I'm hired, when can I start applying for other positions in the company?” • Never ask how quickly you can be promoted. Never ask “Do you do background checks?” • Never ask about gossip you've heard.
We recommend that you avoid asking applicants about personal characteristics that are protected by law, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.
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What are Some STAR Behavioural Interview Questions?
To answer "What are your 3 strengths?", pick three key qualities (like adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork) that match the job, provide a brief, specific example for each showing how you use that strength (e.g., "I used my adaptability to [specific situation]"), and briefly explain the positive impact on the team or project, demonstrating your value.
Generally, employers should not use non job-related questions involving marital status, number and/or ages of children or dependents, or names of spouses or children of the applicant.
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?
5 Common Interview Questions to Avoid (and What to Ask Instead)
The seven most difficult interview questions
But what about “trigger” words? These are the words that immediately set off a bad reaction in the listener. They just tick people off and should be avoided during the interview.
How to stand out during an interview
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification or more context; this not only helps you understand the question better but also buys you some time to formulate an appropriate response.
Weird interview questions are designed to test creativity, problem-solving, and personality, often taking the form of hypothetical scenarios, animal comparisons, or requests for unique song choices, such as "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" or "Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?". Interviewers use these "curveballs" to see how you think under pressure and get beyond rehearsed answers, revealing your thought process rather than a single "right" response.
Ten Traps of Interviewing and Communication Barriers
The "3 C's of Interviewing" typically refer to Confidence, Competence, and Credibility/Character, emphasizing projecting belief in your skills, proving you can do the job, and demonstrating honesty and a good fit, though some frameworks use Connection, Clarity, or Chemistry as alternatives to assess cultural fit. For candidates, it's about showcasing your abilities (Competence), believing in yourself (Confidence), and being a trustworthy team member (Credibility/Character). For interviewers, it's about evaluating these aspects to find the right fit.