It's Your Interview

Illegal Interview Questions

2009-09-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

Where were you born? While this question seems innocent enough on the surface, it could be used to gather information illegally about national origin. Although it may seem more relevant, hiring managers are also not allowed to ask “Are you a U.S. citizen?” Employers may ask whether you are authorized to work in the United States, but not specifically about citizenship. They may also ask for documents proving your authorization to work in the U.S. after you have been hired.
What is your native language? Again, the problem is that this question could be used to determine national origin. The employer can ask whether you know a particular language only if it is required for the job. For example, if job responsibilities include supporting Spanish-speaking customers, it’s fair to ask if you speak Spanish.
Are you married? Here’s another question that would seem innocent in most settings, but is not allowed in a job interview. Employers are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of marital status, so this question is not allowed.
Do you have children? Even though this sounds like a casual, innocent question, it is not allowed in a job interview. It’s covered by a general prohibition about discrimination over parental status.
Do you plan to get pregnant? This question is not legal. Employers used to ask this of women to avoid hiring someone that would go out on maternity leave. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender and on the basis of pregnancy.
How old are you? Age discrimination is illegal, so this question is off limits. Some companies have tried to avoid hiring workers over a certain age for fear of higher insurance costs, the potential for more absences and for a general age bias. For this reason, employers are not supposed to ask what year you graduated from college, either, unless there is some job related reason for the question.
Do you observe Yom Kippur/Good Friday/Ramadan, etc.? Employers can’t discriminate on the basis of religion, so this question is illegal. Employers can ask whether you can work on holidays and weekends (if it’s a job requirement), but not about the observance of specific religious holidays.
Do you have a disability or chronic illness? It is illegal to use disability or medical information as a factor in hiring, so these questions are illegal. If the job would require some specific physical task, such as bending to install cables in walls, the employer can ask if you could perform those tasks with reasonable accommodation.
Are you in the National Guard? Although some managers may find it disruptive when employees leave for duty, it’s illegal to discriminate against someone because he or she belongs to the National Guard or a reserve unit.
Do you smoke or use alcohol? In general, employers can’t discriminate on the basis of the use of a legal products when the employee is not on the premises and not on the job.

Worst and Funniest Job Interview on TV from the 70's

2009-06-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

So I came across this video and thought that it was a perfect fit on what NOT to do during an interview. It is the first few minutes from the first episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show - circa 1970's.

Mary is interviewed by her boss to be, Lou Grant. The dialogue would make a modern day HR Director call security, an attorney, or both.

Sometimes laughter is the best way to make a point - especially about interviewing! Remember - It's your interview, It's time to take charge!

General Job Interview Skills

2009-05-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

It is very important that when you walk into an interview you are ready to "sell" yourself and the value you will bring to the company you are interviewing with.

This is where having good general interview skills comes into play. An interview is a competition plain and simple, you are competing for that position. Don't walk in already feeling defeated, you must present yourself in a positive manner when interviewing for a job.

How can you do this? Well for starters you can follow these basic rules and who knows maybe you will be the winner of the competition.

Hold your head during introductions.
Give a firm handshake don't be a wet noodle.
Sit up straight and don't slouch - put your lower back to the back of the chair.
Dress for success, put on your best outfit, keep flesh covered, and cover up offensive body art.
Don't over accessorize, you want your interviewer to focus on you not your 50 pieces of flare.
BE ON TIME!
Get plenty of sleep the night before, don't walk in tired and seemingly "boring"

These are just a few of the things you can do to really make your interview go well. After all It's Your Interview, It's time to take charge!

GOOD LUCK!

Killing time

2009-05-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

One of the most frustrating aspects of looking for a job is waiting. There are only so many things you can do, so many places you can look, so many people to whom you can send your resumé. Interviews -- with this guide, you can be sure you'll do great -- but in the meantime? While you're waiting? Now's the time to make your resumé even better. You've probably already redesigned it, double-checked spelling and grammar, found the perfect paper to print it on, and figured out the best way to describe your experience and skills. But have you thought about ways to add to it? Now's the time...

Take an objective look at your resumé and then decide where you look the weakest. Is your community involvement rather limited? Get out the phone book and make some calls. Like animals? See what hours you can volunteer at the local shelter, even if it's just for a day. Then add it to your resumé. Is the Boys and Girls Club hosting an event? See if you can sell tickets or donate some food or hand out programs. Then write it down. You're not fabricating something that's not true -- you're making sure you have contributed to a cause so that you can show your involvement and appear more well-rounded. Pick up trash on the median of the highway (and stay out of oncoming traffic). Plant flowers for a downtown agency or organization (with permission, of course). Make phone calls for an afternoon for a political party (you don't have to say which one). Just do something, and make sure you get credit for it. Both sides will benefit, and who knows -- you just might find something you love to do.

Or maybe your resumé would benefit from more technical skills. Play around with a new software program, or complete an online tutorial, or ask a friend who's proficient to spend an evening tutoring you (you'll provide the snacks). Brush up on your skills and add your newfound proficiency to your resumé. Or take an online course, and show your interesting in ongoing education. Build a website or start a blog, for yourself or for an organization as a volunteer. Then add it to the list.

All of these things have a dual benefit: improving your chances of being noticed, while helping someone in need (even if that someone turns out to be you). And the time will pass more quickly while you wait for the phone call offering you the interview you're waiting for.

In the words of Flo Rida we are "Finally Here"!

2009-05-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

It's Your Interview, LLC was founded in 2008 and has been a growing company since. We are offering PDF versions of our guide, as well as printed bound versions of our guide, which in our local community have been a GREAT SUCCESS!!

I'm not here to wow you with words, or even try to sell you on buying our guide, that isn't the premise of this blog site. This site is to provide you, the reader, with information about interviews, mistakes people make, even suggestions on how to present yourself.

Yep you heard it right, a site arranged to HELP you, not SELL you, and if you decide to buy our guide, to get even more strategic suggestions GREAT, but if not, no problem, we are here for you! So please, check back often, you won't be disappointed! You can also find us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iyiguide If you have any questions please feel free to use our online contact form found at http://www.itsyourinterview.com/company/contact_us.aspx or via email at info@itsyourinterview.com