5 Interview Questions You Should Not Ask

One would think that job interviews are strict for applicants, but it's also not easy for the interviewer. When it comes to asking questions, there are a few questions an interviewer should never ask. 

Whether it's because one's words could be misinterpreted or cause offence, there are times where you need to be creative and find a way around a specific question if you wish to learn more about your candidate without putting them on the defensive.

Here are five interview questions you should never ask, along with a few alternative ways of finding out the information you need:

1. Why should we give you the job?

Unsurprisingly, this is still a popular question in many job interviews. The interviewer needs to understand that this question could put most candidates in defensive mode. It can come across as confrontational, and you will not get the most out of the candidate if they think you are putting too much pressure on them.

There are better ways of asking the same question, for example, you can ask them to highlight the primary skills and experience they have, which makes them suitable for the job.

2. How many sick leaves did you take in your last job?

It is not a good idea to ask this question because asking about sick leaves is similar to asking about the candidate's health. If the candidate has a condition they wish to tell you about, then they will say to you in their way and at the time of their choosing. 

Do not pressure the candidate to reveal any medical details. But, you can ask them if they see any barriers which might make it difficult for them to carry out their duties. This question will give them the space to talk about their health. 

Always be careful with your questions.

3. When did you graduate?

It could be tricky to ask the candidate when they left university as it is similar to asking their age. You do not want them to accuse you of age discrimination. There is a more diplomatic way of asking about the candidate's degree and subsequent experience. 

You can try asking about what and where they studied and hope they will provide the graduation year on their own accord. You can also ask about where the candidate sees their career going or what they are looking for in a new role. This question will surely make them open up and talk about past achievements. 

4. Do you have kids?

It is obvious why you should not ask this question, especially when the candidate is expecting or already has children. Most interviewers don't ask this question to male candidates, so it is unwise to ask the female candidates that question. 

You should ask them whether they see any issue with the working hours if they have other commitments outside the workplace. This question will give the candidate a chance to let you know if they have children who are attending school or other relatives that need caring.

5. Where do you live?

"Where do you live?" is another common question to ask job candidates. It's understandable; you want to know if your potential employee will need to travel 30 kilometres round trip to get to and from work every day. 

If you ask where the candidate is living, they might misinterpret it as prying. You can try to highlight any commuting benefits your company is offering, such as travel discounts or car-sharing schemes. 

If that does not work, you can try asking if they are happy with the location of the workplace and allow them to discuss how close or far is it from home. 

Now, you know that some questions just cannot be answered, especially the ones that could be seen as prying into ethnicity, religion or a candidate's health and wellbeing. 

Most candidates will volunteer the answer you're looking for if you leave your questions open-ended. All you need to do is to phrase your questions creatively and let your candidates speak freely if you wish to get the most out of your interviews.

Source: The Undercover Recruiter

Having Problems Hiring? Our recruitment experts are at your service, just register at AJobThing.com to schedule your free consultation.

Related articles
6 Types of Organisational Charts for SMEs 
HR Guide: How to Conduct a Reference Check 
HR Guide: How to Effectively Review Resumes