Interviews: Appropriate & Inappropriate Questions

Key to successful interviewing will be preparation and deciding on interview questions in advance. Having preset questions will ensure:

• You ask the right questions to gather the information you need
• You ask all candidates the same questions ensuring fairness
• You don't forget to ask any questions 

Considerations when planning your questions 

Fair treatment of employees and prospective employees is governed by the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination refers to the treatment of one person in a less favourable way than another based on any of the following protected characteristics:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientatioin

It is important not to show bias or discriminate on any of the above grounds at any stage of the interview, or indeed the employer / employee relationship. 

Inappropriate Interview Questions

• Do you have any disabilities
• Have you had any recent or past illnesses or operations?
• How much do you weigh?
• Do you drink/ smoke / take drugs?
• How old are you?
• How much longer do you plan to work before you retire?
• What is your native language?
• What country are you from?
• What religion are you?
• Do you belong to a club or social organisation?
• 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?
• Do you have or plan to have children?
• If you get pregnant, will you continue to work, and will you come back after maternity leave? 
• What are your child care arrangements?
• Is this your maiden name?
• Are you married /engage?
• Are you gay?
• How far will your commute be?
• Have you ever been arrested?

 Appropriate Questions

• Are you able to perform the specific duties of this position?
• This role will require you to lift a 50 llb weight and carry it 100 yards. Would you be capable of this?
• Are you over the age of 18?
• What are your long-term career goals?
• What languages do you speak fluently?
• Are you authorised to work in the UK?
• Are you a member of a professional or trade group that is relevant to our industry?
• Tell me about your previous experience managing teams.
• Are you available to work overtime on occasion? 
• Are you available to travel on occasion?
• Are you able to start work at 8am?
• Have you ever been convicted of theft / fraud?

Remember: the interview starts from the moment you pick up the candidate in reception to the moment you drop them back to the door to leave. Your intention may only be to make small talk, but asking questions about personal characteristics here may be seen as discrimination.