Question: I am always
nervous interviewing employees. I’ve gone to seminars that talk about
how many things you can’t ask people, I don’t know what I can ask or
can’t ask anymore. Do you have any guidelines?
Answer: It has
become more and more difficult to interview potential employees. Many
employers aren’t aware of what questions are off limits and which are
acceptable. Below are some general guidelines regarding questions that
are not permissible to ask potential employees. (Keep in mind that laws
and regulations change. Local laws can also differ; for more
information, contact your local labor department or agency.)
1.
Age, gender, or sexual preference related questions.
2.
Questions pertaining to marital status or family status. Don’t
ask if an applicant is single, married, or divorced.
3.
Anything relating to ethnicity, national origin, race, or
religion is generally not permissible.
4.
Questions pertaining to criminal record, unless it pertains to an
essential job function. For example, don’t ask, “When was the last time
you were arrested?”
5.
Don’t ask name or title questions, such as whether you should
address a woman as “Miss or Mrs.”
Considering the
above questions, what should an employer do and look for when scheduling
and conducting interviews? Most screen resumes for applicants who are
likely to possess the job-specific skills the employer wants. However,
the person with the desired skill may not be the right person for the
position.
Intelligence, job
skills, and technical knowledge are all important. However, an
enthusiastic person with a positive attitude can be a greater asset to
your business. The perceived “ideal” employee may appear to have all
the necessary qualifications, but if he or she also has a bad attitude
that affects others, those job skills become less important. Motivation
and enthusiasm is infectious. A positive attitude will help to motivate
others, prompting employees to work with you instead of against you.
Management can
usually train someone to acquire specific skills, but a positive
attitude can’t be taught. The person you select should be willing to
take direction and learn new skills. Some possible questions that may
be asked are:
1.
What do you believe is your biggest accomplishment?
2.
What are the top five reasons I should hire you?
3.
What are some of your weaknesses as an employee?
By asking these
types of questions, you may still gain insight into the potential
candidates, helping you decide whom you want to become a part of your
team. Don’t just look at the “cannots.” Look at what you can
ask to help you build the best possible team!
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