Keeping one's cool when an interview chair turns into a hot seat can be difficult. Here are some examples of zingers thrown at candidates, and how some of them responded:
"My
friends and I have been asked several times what we would do if we got
pregnant. Our answer: 'I can't have children. I'm infertile.' It always
sets the interviewer on his (never asked this by a woman) heels. We
decided that in the event that we did get the job and did get pregnant,
we would cast it as a 'miracle' -- and just be joyous with everyone
about the heavenly news!" -- Rebecca Raibley, Massachusetts.
"I
am a proud American but have a slight accent. When they ask me where I
was born and I tell them, they say, 'Oops, we just remembered we have no
openings currently.' So I've concluded that answering their illegal
question will never get me a job, but if I refuse to answer it or tell
them it's illegal, that will not get me the job either. Quite a
conundrum." -- Mo Abraham, St. Louis
"I
was asked, 'Isn't [my past boss] a jerk?' Obviously, I wanted to take
the high road, and I wasn't sure why the interviewer asked that
question. So I responded, 'He certainly makes an impression,' and
changed the subject. Since no further questions were asked along those
lines, I think it was a test -- maybe of quick thinking under pressure,
maybe to see if I would dish dirt. Either way, never say anything
negative about a past employer." -- Marilyn Santiesteban, Boston
"An
interviewer once asked me to which charities I donated. I was
uncomfortable with this question, as it seems quite personal. Donations
are often based on personal criteria: health experience, politics,
religion and other individual ideologies. I don't believe people should
be 'qualified' by the groups of their choice." -- Lisa Hanock-Jasie, New York City.
"I
was asked in an interview once, 'How do you get along with your
mother?' I responded, 'If you're trying to find out whether I can work
well for a female boss, you can just ask me that. If you were my friend,
I wouldn't mind answering. But since this is an interview, I find that
question inappropriate.'" -- Dez Stephens, Nashville, Tenn.
Reacting
Coming
up with a response isn't always easy when the voice inside you is
screaming, "Why the heck is he asking me that?" While panic, anger and
confusion are typical responses to uncomfortable questions, checking
emotions is crucial to getting the interview back on track. The
interviewer may be trying to judge your confidence level and how you
handle pressure.
Steven Roy Goodman, an educational consultant and
career strategist in Washington, D.C., advises his clients to answer
inappropriate interview questions by politely saying, "That question
makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Would you mind if we talked about how
specifically I might be able to work with department X of company Y?"
Candidates
who have experienced uncomfortable interview questions on a certain
topic may wish to practice suitable responses ahead of time. For
instance, if a gap in employment seems to be an issue, be ready to talk
about the skills you acquired or the contributions you made as a
volunteer during that time.
Unfortunately, some interviewers persist in areas they shouldn't.
"Obvious
off-limit topics are family situation, age, religion, ethnicity,
disability, sexual preference, race or any questions that lead to more
knowledge about the candidate through related questions – such as, 'Will
you need to make any special arrangements for family members should you
be hired?' or, 'Have you ever missed work for illness or injury?'" says
Terry Henley, director of compensation services at Employers Resource
Association, a nonprofit serving small and medium-sized businesses in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
In
this situation, Henley recommends that candidates say that they aren't
comfortable discussing the topic and then think about whether they wish
to continue the interview. "If the applicant is certain that the
question is illegal, he can tell the interviewer, understanding that it
will probably mean that the interview will end soon and not end up in
employment." Filing charges with a state or federal agency is an option
if a well-qualified candidate feels certain that the only reason he was
denied the position was because of being a member of a protected class,
but Henley cautions that "the likelihood for success in filing such a
claim in these circumstances is low."
While candidates have little
to no control over what questions an interviewer chooses to ask, they
do have power over something important: their own response. So set the
tone that you've come to discuss why you're the best person for the job
-- and nothing else.