Chapter 3: Equity and Diversity in Human Resources Management

Wrongs Versus Rights

During a job interview, many students have faced some of the following questions:

How old are you?

Where do you come from? Where were you born?

You speak English well. What is your mother language?

Are you married?

Are you planning on having children?

Tempted as you might be to proclaim your rights ("That question is illegal, and I don't have to answer it!"), you still want the job. How, then, should you answer the above questions?

The correct response is to demonstrate your willingness and ability to do the job, but without revealing any information (related to the prohibited grounds) that may prejudice the interview. So, if you are asked if you have children, you could reply that you are available for any overtime work required and for short assignments out of town. Develop some responses to these difficult questions you might encounter.