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Graduation brings with it big changes. Whether you plan to join the workforce or head to graduate school, these pages will help you transition to life after Clark.
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Illegal Questions
Job Search Issues | Marketing Strategy | U.S. Job Search | Illegal Questions |
Going Back Home
(Adapted from an article by Rochelle Kaplan,
General Counsel for the National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Various federal, state and local laws regulate the questions a prospective
employer can ask you, the job candidate. An employer’s questions—whether on
the job application, in the interview, or during the testing process—must be
related to the job you’re seeking. For the employer, the focus must be:
"What do I need to know to decide whether this person can perform the
functions of this job?"
| Illegal
Question |
Legal
Question |
| Are you a US Citizen? |
Are you authorized to work in the United
States? |
| Where were you born? |
What languages do you read/write/speak
fluently? |
If asked an illegal question, you have several options:
- You can answer the question—you’re free to do so, if you wish.
However, if you choose to answer an illegal question, remember that you are
giving information that isn’t related to the job; in fact, you might be
giving the "wrong" answer, which could harm your chances of
getting the job.
- You can refuse to answer the question. Unfortunately, depending on how you
phrase your refusal, you run the risk of appearing uncooperative or
confrontational—hardly words an employer would use to describe the
"ideal" candidate.
- You can examine the question for its INTENT and respond with an answer as
it might apply to the job.
For example, the interviewer asks, "Are you a US citizen?" or
"What country are you from?" You’ve been asked an illegal
question. You could respond, however, with "I am authorized to work in
the US." Similarly, let’s say the interviewer asks, "Who is
going to take care of your children when you have to travel for the job? You
might answer, "I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job
requires."
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Tools and Resources
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