10 Illegal Job Interview Questions

You are always taught as a job seeker to answer every question the hiring manager throws at you during a job interview. Sometimes, however, there are questions you are under no obligation to answer.

Employers' job interview questions are designed to gather as much information about you as possible so they can make an informed decision. The majority of the time these questions are simple and appropriate but there are some, rare, occasions where you will be asked a question that is simply illegal.

State and federal laws forbid discrimination based on certain protected categories, such as national origin, citizenship, or age. Below are 10 examples of questions that, should they come up, you are under no obligation to answer; all you have to do is politely decline to respond.

• Have you ever been arrested?
• Are you married?
• Do you practice any religious customs?
• How many children do you have?
• Were you born in this country?
• How long have you been working?
• Do you have any outstanding debt or any other financial problems?
• Do you have a history of using any illegal drugs?
• Do you like to drink socially?
• Is English your first language?