How to Respond to Inappropriate Interview Questions

Part 3 of the Inappropriate Interview Questions Series

So your on your interview, and everything was going along just great. Until, that moment arrives. The interviewer peers at you through his/her glasses and asks you a question that not only makes you uncomfortable, but you’re certain it’s a question  that should not be asked.

What do you do?

There are three basic ways that you may choose to address any inappropriate interview questions.

1. You may choose to go ahead and answer the question, if you desire to do so. However, keep in mind that when you provide information to a potential employer that is not job-related, you may in fact be giving an answer that could potentially prevent yourself from getting the job.

2. Refusing to answer the question is also an option, but the manner in which you phrase your refusal is of utmost importance. An outright refusal to answer a question on the part of a job candidate, even though it may be well within your rights to do so, may not be the most tactful way of handling an inappropriate question.

3. The third choice involves your probing for the intent of the employer in asking the question and responding with an answer that is appropriate. For example, the employer asks you; Who will care for your children when you are on call at the hospital? You might reply, “I am able to fully meet the on-call and schedule requirements that this job requires.” Another sample response you may give is: “I’d like to help you learn more about my particular skills and qualifications for this position, however, I’m having some difficulty in understanding how (name the particular issue: age, marital status, religion, etc) questions relate to my ability to perform this job.

Keep calm, stay professional at all times, and remember that the interviewer may very likely be impressed by your ability to gracefully handle an inappropriate question. The interviewer probably does not intent to offend you, and inexperienced or untrained interviewers may unintentionally ask questions that are inappropriate.

Hopefully, you will never be asked an inappropriate question, but knowing in advance how to handle these types of situations, will make you more prepared on your next job interview.