Career Services Office
Illegal Questions
According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers who inquire about certain factors during an interview may be acting in a discriminatory manner. It is illegal for interviewers to consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin when making employment decisions. If a question of an illegal nature is asked during an interview, it is perfectly acceptable to decline to answer it. Such illegal questions include:
- Are you a U.S. citizen? (It is acceptable for an interviewer to ask if you are authorized to work in the U.S.).
- Where were you born? What is your native language?
- How old are you? (It is acceptable for an interviewer to ask if you are over the age of 18).
- What is your marital status? How many children do you have?
- Do you have any disabilities? (It is acceptable to ask if an applicant is able to perform the essential functions of the job).
