The interviewing and hiring process can be fraught with legal issues. From sourcing to screening, from interviewing to selection, countless pitfalls exist. Having a prepared list of questions from the Bullseye database helps to establish a consistent process in the screening and interviewing phases. Bullseye provides an agenda to keep the interviewer on track, avoiding the opportunity for inconsistency. Bullseye questions focus on key areas to examine to find the best fit for the job -- the candidate with the most appropriate knowledge, skills, values and behaviors. Bullseye provides insightful, open-ended questions based on real experience, not hypothetical or irrelevant examples.
Bullseye also provides questions to avoid -- questions that might bring up protected information. Your process will achieve a better result and avoid potential legal pitfalls.
Here are some guidelines for questions to avoid.
Always ask questions that are clearly related to the job. Do not ask questions about an applicant’s sex, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, ethnicity or any other area that is protected by federal, state or local statutes.
AVOID THESE QUESTIONS
- Are you married? Divorced?
- Do you have children?
- Do you rent or own a home?
- Will you agree to overnight travel?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- Can you work overtime?
- How long have you lived at your current address?
- Can you work on weekends?
- Have you ever filed an EEO complaint? (Or any other question that might result in disclosure of any legal entitlement)
- Are you a U.S. citizen?
- What is your native tongue?
- How long have you lived here?
- What religion do you practice?
- Which religious holidays do you observe?
- Do you belong to a club or social organization?
- How old are you?
- How much longer do you plan to work before you retire?
- Is this your maiden name?
- Do you have or plan to have children?
- Can you get a babysitter on short notice for overtime or travel?
- Who is your closest relative to notify in case of an emergency?
- What do your parents do for a living?
- If you get pregnant, will you continue to work, and will you come back after maternity leave?
- We’ve always had a man/woman do this job. How do you think you will stack up?
- How do you feel about supervising men/women?
- What do you think of interoffice dating?
- Do you smoke or drink?
- Do you take drugs?
- How tall are you?
- How much do you weigh?
- How many sick days did you take last year?
- Do you have any disabilities?
- Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations?
- How far is your commute?
- Do you live nearby?
- Have you ever been arrested?
- Were you honorably discharged from the military?
- Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserves?
- What was your past salary?
Prohibited Pre-employment Inquiries:
- Race
- Height & Weight
- Financial Information
- Unemployed Status
- Background Checks
- Religious Affiliation Or Beliefs
- Citizenship
- Marital Status, Number Of Children
- Gender
- Disability
- Medical Questions & Examinations
In California, additional prohibitions apply:
https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/resources/posters-and-brochures-and-fact-sheets/