Chatting as if you are friends can help you connect during a job interview. Don’t. It’s not a friendly meet-cute but a chance to determine who’s best suited to the job. According to Domenique Camacho Moran, a New York-based employment lawyer representing employers, the first five or 10 minutes of meeting a job candidate carry the most significant legal risk.
An interview’s biggest risk is a lack of preparation. When you’re unprepared, questions are asked that do not intend to be excessively probing but end up being inappropriate, Moran said. Listed below are some questions you should avoid asking because they could lead to legal consequences.
What School Did You Go To?
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National origin or race discrimination is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While asking about schooling may be benign, it can carry legal risks because it provides insights into where you were born and who you are.
“A better way to ask that question is ‘I see you graduated from Notre Dame. What did you like about Notre Dame? How was your experience?’” Moran suggested. By doing so, you can connect with a candidate without violating protected federal categories.
What Was Your Previous Salary?
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To stop racial and gendered pay inequities, salary history bans exist in 21 states, including Illinois, Connecticut, California, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Candidates cannot be asked what they previously earned. It’s usually okay to ask general questions like “What are your salary expectations?”
Other inappropriate questions are graduation dates, views on abortion/other political issues, their criminal record, medical accommodation requirements, their place of origin, and any age-related interview questions.