Youd think interviewing should only be nerve-wracking for the job seeker, not the question asker. But that’s not always the case. Many hiring managers are unaware of just how many “wrong” questions they can ask an applicant — and by wrong, we mean illegal.
That’s right: There are a whole host of seemingly innocent questions that are actually very much off limits for supervisors to ask potential employees. The good news is there are also many legal interview questions that can be used to get any touchy information needed to make smart hiring decisions. We’ll discuss both areas below, as well as provide a list of illegal interview questions and their legal alternatives to help you avoid sticky situations.
What makes an interview question illegal is determined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII states that it is illegal for employers to ask about a person’s age, race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability status, and marital status in any pre-employment stage: online applications, surveys, interviews, etc.
The law also makes it illegal to ask questions regarding pregnancy status, if applicants have children, questions regarding arrest records, or military discharge status. These rules apply to everyone you’re thinking of bringing into your company, including temporary workers, interns, part-time and contract workers, and full-time employees. The guidelines seem straightforward enough, dont ask questions like, “Are you married?” or “What religion do you practice?” But there are some surprising loopholes that you may not think of as illegal when creating a list of interview questions.
Some of these things are important to know, however, and need to be addressed before a job offer can be made. For example, if a job at a nursing home requires someone to work Saturday evenings, an Orthodox Jew would be unable to meet the job’s requirements due to the Sabbath. Or if a factory job requires workers to lift heavy loads throughout the day and a person has a disability, they similarly would be unsuited for the job.
How to Prepare for Security Clearance Interview | Federal Background Check | Get a Federal Job
Why should we hire you?
Sometimes, its helpful for an employer to explore a candidates reasons for applying to a certain position and encourage them to explain why theyre an excellent candidate. When you answer this question, consider the companys or organizations mission and goals, the roles responsibilities and your values and experience. Provide an answer that shows you performed research and are very interested in the job.
Example: “I believe you should hire me because I have a proven track record of service to my country and my community. I served in the military and protected our national security abroad and returned home to uphold the same principles in law enforcement. I am motivated, skilled, responsible and trustworthy, and I have combat and law enforcement training that would make me an excellent agent. I also have a strong desire to serve my country by upholding its laws and investigating any and all threats to its people or security.”
Please note that none of the organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
Security clearance interview sample questions and answers
Preparing for a security clearance interview can help you secure a job, and one way to prepare is reviewing sample questions and answers regarding hypothetical situations. Here are some examples of potential questions with sample answers to consider:
Can you describe your military or law enforcement experience and how it applies to this role?
This question helps a recruiter determine whether you meet the military or law enforcement minimum requirements for an available position. Typically, high-level government jobs with security clearance require candidates to have service to the country or government via military or law enforcement experience. Recruiters may ask you to describe your experience in a general sense or ask specific questions about your duties or what skills you have developed.
Example: “I joined the Marines in 2002 and served two tours in Iraq. During my time there, I participated in several missions. I earned an honorable discharge in 2008 and returned home to attend the police academy in Tacoma, Washington. I graduated and became a police officer, serving for nearly seven years before earning the rank of detective. I have served as a detective since 2018 and have investigated several high-profile cases, along with assisting in the successful completion of one cold case.”
Be prepared to discuss any involvement with the justice system. Most interviewers only want to know about your criminal history. However, interviewers sometimes ask about civil matters, including debt collections, evictions, divorces and custody cases. For criminal history, your interviewer will want to know your charges and whether you were convicted. He may also ask about your sentence and rehabilitation since the conviction. The agency will conduct extensive criminal background investigations, so it is best to provide accurate information.
Your past can determine your future when youre the subject of a background investigation. Many employers utilize background checks when considering candidate applications. They are also required when becoming an attorney, and the federal government conducts investigations when deciding whether to grant security clearances. Most background checks include an interview with the investigator. In preparing for the process, its useful to know what types of questions to expect.
Erika Winston is a Washington, D.C.-based writer, with more than 15 years of writing experience. Her articles have appeared in such magazines as Imara, Corporate Colors E-zine and Enterprise Virginia. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Regent University and a Masters in public policy from New England College.
Depending on the investigating agency, the interviewer may inquire about your financial status, including your assets and outstanding debts. The investigator obtains your credit report and reviews it with you during the interview. Be prepared to explain any unpaid debts and your efforts at repayment. If you have filed for bankruptcy in the past, obtain an official copy of the discharge from the court where you filed.
Though general background checks do not involve your acquaintances, security clearance interviewers will ask about your family members and close friends. The interviewer will ask for names and contact information for these individuals. Depending on the level of government clearance sought, the hiring agency may conduct a limited investigation into the background of your spouse and other family members.
What is a candidate background check?
Candidate background checks are not a formality, they are a real, one-time opportunity to learn about your candidate from their previous colleagues, managers or subordinates before you make the final decision of rolling out an offer. A meaningful and objective background check is an inevitable consequence of good, objective questions. We have put together a list of 22 questions that can refine the way you run a background check, with insights from real-time practitioners.
Ask These 22 HR Background Check Questions
Background Check Questions to Ask the Candidates
FAQ
What kind of questions are asked in a background check interview?
- Dates of employment.
- Educational degrees and dates.
- Job title.
- Job description.
- Why the employee left the job.
- Whether the employee was terminated for cause.
- Whether there were any issues with the employee regarding absenteeism or tardiness.
- Whether the employee is eligible for rehire.
How do I prepare for a background check interview?
- Clean up your social media profiles and check your privacy settings. …
- Keep good records of your academic history and past employment. …
- Get copies of your records. …
- Be honest. …
- Let your professional references know they may be contacted.
Can you pass a background check interview question?
What happens during a background check interview?
