There are several types of question that usually asked by the employers to the interviewees. The type of questions asked can affect the interviewees reaction. Some of the common questions on the mind of the employer include:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Do you have any health problem? have you ever been hospitalized?
3. What do you think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
4. How would you describe your personality?
5. Have you ever working under stress?
6. When did you last lose your temper? Describe what happened.
7. Do you regard yourself as an ambitious person?
8. What is more important to you: status or money?
9. What excites you about the job you are doing now?
10. What worries you about the job you are doing now?
12. How long do you think you'd stay with us if you were appointed?
13. How do you like your present job?
14. What are your most proud of having done in your present job?
15. What was the worst problem you have had in your present job?
16. Why do you want to leave your present job?
17. What do you think an ideal boss is like?
18. How often were you absent from your previous job?
19. Why should we hire you instead of the other candidates?
20. What sort of salary are you looking for?
However, in many countries, law are put into place to prevent organizations from engaging in discriminatory practices against protected classes when selecting individuals for jobs. In the United States, it is unlawful for private employers with 15 or more employee along with state and local government employers to discriminate against applicants based on the following: race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or over), disability, or genetic information (note: addition classes may be protected depending on state or local law). More specifically, an employer cannot legally "fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, condition, or privilege of employment" or "to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee". (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_interview)
Given these laws, organizations are limited in the types of questions they legally are allowed to ask applicants in a job interview. Asking these questions below may cause discrimination against protected classes. For example, in the majority of situations, it is illegal to ask the following questions in an interview as a condition of employment:
1. Do you have any physical or mental disabilities?
Such question is illegal because it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.
2. When are you planning to have children?
This question classified into illegal question because sex is a federally protected class, which means an employer cannot discriminate against a male or female job applicant.
3. Will you need time off for religious holiday?
Religious discrimination is strictly prohibited. That is why such question is illegal to be askes in an interview. Employers are not allowed to make hiring decisions based on a person's religious beliefs, observance, or practices.
4. What is your nationality?
This is an illegal question because national origin is a federally protected class. Consequently, employers cannot base hiring decisions on whether an applicant is from a different country or of a specific ethnicity.
5. What is your political affiliation?
Political affiliation is a personal preference and is a private thing. Everyone have freedom to choose what party they are supporting. That is why employers should not discriminate applicants against their political affiliation.
Then, how to answer those illegal questions?
When an interviewee is asked illegal questions by the employer, He or She is always have the option to refuse to answer the questions or to answer the questions politely. For example, when a question about physical or mental disabilities comes out, you can answer to it politely by saying that you are confident that you will be able to handle the requirements of the position you applied to.
Also, when you are asked questions such as what is your nationality, what is your political affiliation, when are you planning to have children, or will you need time off for religious holiday, you can answer to those questions by saying that you are confident that those things (nationality, political affiliation, children, and your religious belief) will not interfere with your ability to do the job.
General questions are viewed more positively than situational or behavioural questions and 'illegal' questions may be perceived as negative being unrelated to the job, unfair, or unclear how to answer. Using questions that discriminating unfairly in law unsurprisingly are viewed negatively. The applicants also less likely to accept a job offer, or to recommend the organization to others.
SOFTSKILL GROUP ASSIGNMENT #8
Asri, Ismadanti, Margaretha, Rahmaluttifah, Stacia, Talitha
3SA01
