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?

11 Sample Phone Interview Questions

It can be useful to narrow the job search by steps. Step 1 is to search for the right nonprofit job; step 2 is applying for that job; and, step 3 is going for an in-person interview. There are some variations to these steps and one of those is the phone interview.

In the book "Nonprofit Management 101," James Weinberg and Cassie Scarano of Commongood Careers write that many employers use telephone screens to narrow the candidate pool before moving on to traditional interviews. Hiring managers will develop a series of open-ended questions specific to the role and will use these to evaluate whether they want to hear more from you.

Weinberg and Scarano listed 11 sample interview questions for a director of development position. You can adjust these questions based on the job you are applying for and create well-thought out answers should you get chosen for a phone screen:

• Please tell me about why you are interested in the director of development position with our organization.
• In what type of organizational culture do you thrive? In what kind of culture do you feel less successful?
• Why are you leaving your current position?
• What skills and experience do you have that make you particularly qualified for this position?
• Tell me about the successes you have had raising money for organizations.
• Can you give me some examples of partnerships you created that led to increased revenue or opportunity for your organization? How did you create them? What were the results?
• Have you ever done a successful major ask? If so, please tell me about it.
• Please describe your experience working in partnership with a board of directors. What strategies did you implement to ensure an effective and productive partnership?
• To what extent have you been a part of a start-up organization, new initiative or high-growth environment? What was the situation and what roles did you play?
• What is your salary history? What are your current salary requirements?
• How soon would you be able to start a new position?

4 Common Job Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

No two job interviews are exactly the same but there are some similarities. This is especially true when it comes to the questions an employer will ask you.

Along with questions tailored specifically for the job, hiring managers will often ask a series of questions to get a sense of your personality. These questions are designed to be deceptively simple, and can often trip up job seekers as a result, causing them to give an answer that makes them look bad.

This is obviously something you will want to avoid so you should make it a point to thoroughly prepare your answers to these questions. Below are four of the most common "personality questions" you will be asked by employers and how you should go about answering them:

• "Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?" This is not an invitation to give the interviewer your life story. You should prepare a two- or three-minute summary of your work history and your future goals to answer this question.
• "Why do you want to leave your current job?" This is arguably one of the hardest questions to answer. If you say you are looking for a new opportunity, the hiring manager might take that to meant that you get bored easily and if you say you just want a bigger paycheck, it will give the impression that you are all about money. The best way to approach this question is to be as specific as possible: The goals of the company changed and they didn't align with your beliefs, you felt that your current job wasn't giving you a good opportunity to grow as a professional and that you think this job would better suit those needs, etc.
• "What are your biggest strengths? Weaknesses?" For your strengths, say something that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. For weaknesses, avoid contrite phrases ("I'm too much of a perfectionist) in favor of something more realistic and mention what steps you are taking to improve in that area.
• "What are your salary expectations?" It's best to avoid discussing salary and benefits until the end of the hiring process but if it is bought up earlier, give a salary range rather than a specific number. Your lowest number should represent what will allow you to live your lifestyle comfortably.

Job Interview Questions For Yourself

There are multiple questions to consider when you have a job interview. Most of them will be coming to you from the interviewer, but have you considered asking yourself some questions?

In order to help you prepare for the big day, Bruce A. Hurwitz, vice president of New York City-based Joel H. Paul & Associates, Inc., suggested preparing for potential interview questions by asking them of yourself. During a recent Fundraising Day in New York City, Hurwitz said that job seekers should consider the answers to six questions by looking back on their own experiences.

The questions are:

• Why do you want to work here?
• How do you cope with multiple assignments?
• What experience do you have with deadlines?
• How do you deal with criticism?
• How do you deal with a bad supervisor?
• What was your greatest success/failure? And what did you learn from that experience.  

7 Tough Job Interview Questions -- And The Best Answers Them

There was nothing worse growing up than being called on in class to respond to a question and not knowing the answer. That same feeling can still crop up today when you are asked a tough question in a nonprofit job interview.

The best way to deal with this situation is the same way you would deal with it in school: Study. While different interviews will have unique questions, there are still some that are shared and these can be some of the toughest to answer. Below are seven of the most common interview questions you will encounter, along with suggestions on how to answer them.

1. "Tell me about your self." This question can be very tough because it is so general. The key to answering it successfully is to recite your professional accomplishments, not your life story. Talk about your education, work history, recent career experience, and future goals.
2. "Why did you leave your last job?" The temptation might be great to use this question to talk trash about your former employer, but all that will do is make it less likely that you will get the job. You should instead explain how you wanted the opportunity to do something else to advance your career.
3. "What do you see yourself doing in five years?" This question is designed to see if you are committed to staying with the organization for the long-term. You might have bigger aspirations in mind, but keep them to yourself for the purpose of the interview.
4. "What are your biggest weaknesses?" Whatever you do, don't answer this question by saying something like "I care too much about my work." That's not going to get you anywhere. Explain the areas of your work that need improvement, and let the interviewer know what you have been doing to grow as a professional.
5. "Why were you fired from your last job?" The best way to answer this question is to be as honest as possible. If you were fired for disciplinary reasons, chances are the employer will find out anyway as part of a background check.
6. "What do you have that other candidates do not?" This is an opportunity to go into great detail about what you have accomplished in the past. Talk about your record of getting things done, and highlight the most impressive parts of your resume and/or portfolio.
7. "Would you be willing to take a pay cut?" The topic of salary and benefits is always difficult, so you are going to have to straddle a fine line with this question. You should indicate that you are flexible, but that you want to be compensated fairly.

5 Questions To Ask Before A Job Interview

It's always recommended to ask questions when you get called in for a job interview. But did you know it's also a good idea to do that beforehand?

Unlike the actual interview, when you will be asking the questions to a hiring manager, these are questions that you should be asking of yourself so you can get a better idea of what the organization is all about. Think of it as a form of research. These questions will help you be more prepared when it comes time for the interview, and will also help you decide if it's really the job you want.

Here are 5 questions you should ask when researching an organization:

• What is their reputation? A simple Google search will give you an idea of whether the organization in question has had a lot of bad press from scandals. Needless to say, you won't want to be part of an organization that has a spotty ethics history.
• What is the organization's position within the industry? Understanding the company's financial standing is a very important point to consider. You probably don't want to work for a nonprofit that isn't doing too well.
• What unique skills do I bring to the table? Identify the characteristics you have that make you the best fit for the job, and emphasize them as much as possible during the interview. Employers need to know what makes you stand apart from other candidates.
• How much am I willing to sacrifice? Every job has its drawbacks, but you should determine what your line in the sand is when it comes to accepting a job offer. You should be extremely excited about the position if you are willing to accept things like a long commute.
• Is there a lot of turnover? Try to find out how many different employees have worked in the position for which you are applying. High rates of turnover can indicate bad management or a poor working environment.

4 Job Interview Myths

Like other aspects of looking for work, there are a lot of things said about job interviews that aren't exactly accurate. Identifying these myths are key to making the best impression possible to the hiring manager. Let's take a look at four of the most common misconceptions:

• There's a right answer to every question. Often times recruiters will ask you a tough question not to get a particular answer, but to see how well you address it. So don't stress too much about coming up with the perfect answer.
• Keep your answers short. Don't think that you have to cut short your answers because of time. As long as you are hitting relevant points in your answer, the employer will be more than happy to listen to what you have to say. Just be sure to stay on topic.
• Looks don't matter. Recruiters will definitely take into consideration how well you are dressed for the interview. Make sure you are wearing the correct dress code when going in for an interview.
• Talent alone will get you the job. Employers definitely want to hire the most qualified candidate for the job, but there are other factors that play a role. An organization will probably want to make sure its new employee will fit in with the rest of the group, so personality can play a role in the decision.

Sample Questions For Interviewees

Do you want to find out everything there is to know about an interviewee? Here's a hint: Stop asking interview questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no." Making your applicants think will increase the likelihood that you will get a quality answer. As the old saying goes, ask a simple question and you'll get a simple answer.

If you're having a tough time coming up with questions, we have some suggestions from you courtesy of "The Big Book of HR" by Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem. They suggested the following eight questions to get a better idea of the behavioral characteristics of the candidate:

• What kind of communication style do you have?
• How do you stay calm and collected when you have to do an unplanned presentation?
• Describe a situation in which effective interpersonal communication skills contributed to your success.
• Give me an example of a time when you worked on a project with little supervision. How did you get started? Describe the results.
• How would your last employer describe your work habits and ethics?
• As a leader, what do you do when people on your team aren’t pulling their weight?
• What is one of the greatest leadership challenges you have ever faced? What did you do? What was the result?
• How do you handle situations with people who don’t agree with you?

The Top 10 Job Interview Questions To Ask

What's a nonprofit job interview really about?  You might think it's just about your qualifications, but it's actually more about how you can help the employer succeed now and in the future.

It's all too easy for a job seeker to completely forget about the point of view of the employer in an interview.  The majority of the job search is completely focused on your needs, so what the interviewer is thinking isn't the first thing that pops into your head.  The last thing you want is another thing to worry about, but you're going to have to start thinking about this.  After all, one of the major points of an interview is to impress your prospective employer.

With that in mind, here are 10 good job interview questions to ask to the interviewer:

1. What is the leadership style in the organization?  Would you say it's more relaxed or strict?
2. What types of individuals are most successful here?  (This is a good opportunity to point out that you fit those qualifications, assuming the interviewer lists traits that match yours).
3. What's your biggest worry these days?  What aspect of business keeps you up at night?
4. What are the major accomplishments you expect to see from someone taking on this job?  Are there any long term goals I should know?
5. What would a successful year for the organization look like?  How will this position help reach that goal?
6. How did you get your start in the nonprofit sector?  What do you enjoy about it the most?
7. I've mainly worked for (insert type of company here) during my career?  Do you think this experience will be to my advantage should I be chosen for this job?
8. What was it about this job that makes it so important?  Why are you prioritizing it over other positions?
9. What has been the biggest challenge for the organization over the past year?  Did the recession have a big impact on your mission?
10. What is the timeline for the hiring process?  When should I get back in touch with you regarding the position?

The "Tell Me About Yourself" Interview Question

"So, tell me about yourself."

If you just sat down for a job interview, chances are this is the first question you will be asked.  Not that it's unique to job interviews.  You hear it asked all the time in many different situations, whether it's a first date, or just meeting someone for the first time.  And it's a difficult question to answer in any of these situations.

This is such a hard question because it presents you with an unstructured situation.  You have to be confident enough in yourself to articulately explain the best qualities about yourself.  In short, it's the best way for an employer to get a first impression.  And we all know that first impressions are everything.  Now that you know why it's asked, you're probably wondering about the best ways to answer it.

To be honest, there are a lot of right ways to answer the "tell me about yourself" question.  I want to focus on the wrong way to answer it.  The worst thing you can do with this question is respond with something like this: "What do you want to know?"  This will show the interviewer that you are not prepared for the interview or, even worse, that you aren't confident in what you have to say.  You should spend a lot of your interview preparation time developing an answer that best explains what it is that makes you a good candidate for the job.  If you can do that successfully, you will have no problem answering this question.

If you want to learn more about interview questions, be sure to check out this article from The Nonprofit Jobseeker.

The Toughest Job Interview Question

We've gone over countless job interview questions on this blog.  I want to go over one question today that, despite it's simple appearance, can give job seeker's a lot of trouble: "Why should we hire you?"  This is one of those questions that almost every employer will ask.  Even though you know it's coming, it's still hard to prepare.

Answering this question successfully is one of the keys to getting that job.  But before we delve into how to answer it, let's go over why interviewers are so in love with this question.  It all boils down to this: It gives the employer a good idea of your self-confidence.  This is key because it shows them that you know exactly what you are good at, and how you plan to put those talents to work for their organization.

Now that you know why this question is asked, it's time to figure out a way to answer it.  The first thing you need to do is embrace it as an opportunity to sell yourself.  Don't be afraid of sounding too overconfident or bragging: This is one of the few chances in life where it's OK to do that!  As a matter of fact, it's critical that your answer sounds as confident as possible.  That's why you should take a lot of time in developing a strong answer to the question.  If there is too much hesitation, your answer won't be as convincing.  Come up with a list of the things you do best, and then determine how those skills will help the organization.  Then, develop those ideas into cohesive statements.

Do you have any examples of a good "Why should we hire you?" answer?  Post them in the comments below.

Two Important Job Interview Questions (And How To Answer Them)

Are you worried about what questions you will be asked during your job interview?  Don't worry, you're not alone.  Most job seekers will tell you that much of their anxiety about interviews stems from not knowing what they will be asked.  Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing every single question the interviewer is going to ask you.  That doesn't mean you can't prepare.  While every question won't be the same from interview to interview, many companies do stick to a couple of basic questions:

• Why are you interested in working here?  This is a question so basic, that it's easy to take it for granted.  Do you really have to say anything more complicated than restating what attracted you to the job in the first place?  That's a big part of it, but you should also do ample research on the organization to really knock this question out of the park.  Were you impressed with any projects they undertook?  Be sure to mention that.  The more detail you give, the better.
• Why should we hire you?  This question seems like an opportunity to brag about yourself, but it's much more than that.  The interviewer is really asking how your skills will best match up to the requirements of the position.  Cite specific examples of your experience that relate to key areas of the job.  For example, if the position requires understanding of social media, talk a lot about your experience in that field.

Interviews are a big first step in the job application process, but that's all they are.  You have to be thoroughly prepared to answer the questions put to you in a way that presents a compelling case for you to be hired.  Use the two example questions above as a starting point for your entire interview preparation.

Do's and Don't For Job Interviews

After what seems like an eternity of waiting, you finally get that call: You've been asked in for a job interview.  That doesn't mean your work is over.  The interview is merely the first step in getting a job.  It gets you through the door, but you can be kicked right out again if you are not properly prepared.  Here is a list of things you should and shouldn't do before and during an interview:

You Should...

• Research the employer.  How else are you going to be ready when they ask you what you know about the organization?  If there is too much hesitation in your answer, they are going to know you didn't do your homework.
• Dress professionally.  When in doubt, lean towards a conservative dress code.  Avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or aftershave.  You want to smell nice, but you're not going on a date.
• Request business cards.  You're going to want to know the contact information of your interviewer so you can reach them in the future.
• Make eye contact, but don't stare.  There's a fine line between these two things.  Eye contact shows your interested, staring is just creepy.
• Send a thank-you letter.  Do this the minute you get back from the interview.  Many job search professionals believe not sending one can cost you the job.

You shouldn't...

• Be late.  This seems obvious but sometimes it's out of your control.  That's why you should leave as early as you can to counteract any unforeseen events (traffic, train breaking down, etc).  If something happens that sets you back, make sure you contact the employer to let them know you will be late.
• Bring drinks or food.  Eat your breakfast before the interview, not during it.
• Put down previous employers.  You might not think too highly of your previous jobs, but interviews are not the place to vent about them.  Keep your negative thoughts to yourself.
• Bring notes.  You should have things you are prepared to say, but don't sound rehearsed.
• Be modest about your accomplishments.  Let them know all the important things you have done for previous employers, and how that work made a difference.  Don't be afraid to brag!
• Bring up money. Let the interviewer broach that topic.  If they do, be honest about how much you made in the past and what you expect to make.

Questions To Think About In Job Interviews

Job interviews can be the leading cause in ulcers for job seekers.  Every little aspect can be nerve wracking--from picking out the right outfit to wondering if your handshake was firm enough.  You're never going to get rid of all of the nerves, but there are ways to make sure the process is less stressful.  One way of doing this is preparing for the most common interview questions.  Here's a list of some of them, along with ways they can be answered:

• "Why do you want to work here?"-This one shouldn't be too difficult to answer.  You did apply for the job for a reason, right?  Make sure you answer this question by emphasizing how well it gels with your interests and career skills.
• "How do you cope with multiple assignments?"-Don't you just love questions that have only one right answer?  That's what this question is.  Most jobs require you to be great at multitasking, so there really is no need to tell any white lies.  Just make sure you speak confidently, and try to use anecdotes to enhance your answer.
• "What experience do you have with deadlines?"-This is another question that gives you a great opportunity to tell a story.  This is a great time to let your experience shine.
• "How do you deal with criticism?"-This is a tough question.  Let's face it, most people don't like the idea of being told that they are wrong.  Start your answer by saying that it's not your favorite thing in the world, but you've learned that it's a great way to grow.  You should also bring up an example of how criticism has helped you in the past.
• "How do you deal with a bad supervisor?"-This question is designed to see how you deal with difficult circumstances.  If you've never had a bad supervisor, create an anecdote on how you think you would deal with one.

NPT Jobs Recommends: 9/26/2011

You know it's officially the fall when you start to realize that it might not be the best idea to continue wearing summer clothes.  Fall is a great time for job hunting.  By this time, all those summer vacations are over, and organizations really start to look to hire.  Here are some great job search article to help you out:

• 'Best Interview Answers'-Since I wrote about job interview questions this morning, I thought it would make sense to link you to another article on that subject.  It's always good to have multiple opinions.
• 'How Do You Deal With Disappointment'-This article by DesignResumes.com lays out exactly what you need to do to get over the disappointment of a job rejection.  The key takeaway? Make sure you have a plan.
• 'Need a Job?  Mind Your Manners!'-When it comes to job interviews or networking events, making the first impression is half the battle.  ResumeBear reminds job seekers to make sure they practice good manners when dealing with potential employers or network contacts.

What Not to Say at a Nonprofit Job Interview

Today we're going to things a little differently.  Usually, the articles on this blog are focused on things you should do in order to get a non-profit job.  Today, I'm going to focus on things you could do that could potentially sabotage any chance to land that goal.  Specifically, I'm going to focus on a tragic disease that affects millions of job-seeking Americans everyday: foot-in-mouth disease. 

Picture this: you've finally landed that job interview at a fabulous nonprofit organization.  You've done all the preparation needed; you're pretty confident about this.  But then the first interview question comes: "So why did you leave your last job?"  Thinking you're just being honest, you say "My last boss was horrible, and he never listened to anything I said."  Congratulations, you've more than likely sank any chance of landing the job!

It may not seem like it, but employers listen very carefully to the interview answers you give.  In fact, one in artful answer is all it takes to hurt your chances of starting your nonprofit career.  I will now list a few job interview questions you might hear, and answers that you should not under any circumstances give:

Question: I see you have had a lot of different jobs in your career.  Why is this?

Answer: Most of the jobs I worked at bored me. 

Why this is a bad answer: You should always accentuate the positive in a job interview.  Maybe this answer is true, but it's not something that a nonprofit organization (or any company, for that matter) wants to hear.  Say something like your goals had been changing, but that you are now ready for a permanent career.

Question: What is your biggest weakness.

Answer: You proceed to rattle off  long list of all the things you are bad at.

Why this is a bad answer: All you need to do for this question is admit one, minor weakness and what you are doing to improve in that area.  We are all human, and we all have a lot of problems; there is no need to give a laundry list of your problems.

Question: What are your career goals?

Answer: I want to earn as much money as possible.

Why this is a bad answer: Simply put, no organization is going to hire someone who is just in it for the money.  This is a common question, because employers want to see whether the individual's goals match up with their company, so you want to give an answer that will satisfy them in this regard.

So those are the examples I have for you today.  I think the one pattern you can see with these bad job interview answers is that they are all brutally honest.  Obviously you don't want to lie to an interviewer, but you also shouldn't say anything that would hurt your chances for the job.  Yes, you might really need the money, but truthfully that shouldn't be the only reason you want to work at a nonprofit anyway, so there are much better answers to give that will be both truthful and helpful to your career chances.

Nailing The Nonprofit Interview

One of the most important parts of the job searching process is, of course, the interview.  If you are lucky enough to get to this step, pat yourself on the back.  If an organization asks you to come in for an interview, it means they think of you highly, and you are likely one of the finalists for the position.  In a field that is as competitive as the nonprofit sector, it is extremely important to make the best impression you can during your nonprofit interview.  So here are some tips I have used that should really impress your interviewer:

1. I've mentioned this in a previous post, but it bares repeating: research the organization you are interviewing at!  If possible, you should bring up specific things you found out about the company.
2. Always make eye contact.  This may seem obvious, but it's something that is very easy to forget during the heat of the interview.  One way to make sure you do this is....
3. Practice before the interview.  If possible, try and do it with someone you don't know too well; say, a friend of your parents. This will help simulate the actual interview better, because in all likelihood you will not know this person.
4. Don't hesitate to ask the interviewer to repeat a question if you are confused.  It is often thought that asking this makes you look stupid, but this couldn't be farther from the truth.  On the contrary, it shows that you are listening.
5. Bring an extra copy of your resume, just in case.
6. Be upbeat and positive.  Even if something before the interview happened to upset you, it is imperative that you put that behind you.  Interviewers look closely at body language and attitude; one little negative signal can sink your chances

Next, here are some nonprofit interview questions you should expect to be asked (and the best ways to answer said questions):

1. "Tell me some of your biggest weaknesses": This is sort of a trick question.  What I mean by this is that you should not, under any circumstances, answer this truthfully.  I don't mean you should lie; I mean you should find a way to spin one of your negatives.  An example of how to do this is to say something like "sometimes I work too quickly, so I always make sure to go over everything I write to check for errors."
2. "What are your biggest strengths?": Make sure to emphasize the skills that will be most helpful to your potential employer.
3. "Tell me about yourself:" This is a standard question, one that you are almost 100% guaranteed to hear.  When you answer this question, keep the answer related to the job in question.  In other words, don't talk about your obsession with Dungeons and Dragons.
4. "Why have you been unemployed for a while?": This is a tough one.  You should be totally honest, and be sure to mention the tough conditions in the economy.  But also say how you were looking for the perfect job for you, and didn't just want something that would pay you the most.  Of course this question may not apply to you...
5. "Why did you leave your last job?": Avoid the word "fired" or "terminated" if this was the case with your last position.  Say things like "my contract ended" or say that you wanted to pursue a career that fit your personality better.  Whatever you say, you should be sure to make it a positive statement.

Finally, be sure to ask some questions of your interviewer.  While it might seem more impressive if you don't have any questions ("doesn't it show that I understand everything?"), asking a question will show initiative on your part.  They don't have to be complicated questions; it can be something as simple as "who will be my supervisor?" or "is there a particular way I will need to be dressed?"  Just be sure you don't ask something you have already been told.  That will definitely make it seem like you weren't listening.

As always, leave your feedback in the comments section.  I'd love to hear from you!