Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?: A Crash Course in Finding, Landing, and Keeping Your First Real Job (37 page)

Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws deem certain questions and areas of probing illegal in an interview setting. Some interviewers don’t know this; some know and ask anyway.

It is illegal to discriminate against candidates on the basis of age, race, color, gender, ethnicity, marital status, maiden name, country of origin, citizenship, religion, observance of religious customs and/or holidays, political views, past criminal convictions, and disabilities.

If you’re asked a question you think is illegal or inappropriate, don’t jump up and accuse the interviewer of wrongdoing. Act as if you didn’t hear it. “I’m sorry, could you repeat the question?” If the interviewer persists, say, “I’m sorry. I don’t understand how that’s relevant to my candidacy here.” If you want to let the interviewer off the hook, you can try reframing the question: “When you ask if I’m planning to get married, I’m guessing you’re concerned about circumstances that might interfere with my ability to do the job”—then offer anecdotal evidence to allay his concerns. If that doesn’t do it, say, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand what this question is getting at in terms of my candidacy and I’m not comfortable answering it right now.”

Note: If an interviewer does anything creepy or inappropriate, anything that makes you uncomfortable, have no qualms about excusing yourself. Seek advice and legal counsel. You won’t be hired (nor should you want to be), but you might spare another unsuspecting candidate physical or verbal harassment.

Some questions aren’t illegal—they’re just difficult or touch on sensitive subjects: “How would your enemies describe you?” or “What’s the one thing you hoped I wouldn’t ask you today?” An employer may simply be out to determine how much stress you can handle, and how you handle it. So-called “stress interviews” are much less common than they used to be; they’d feature setups in which candidates might be asked to open a window that was actually nailed shut or solve other impossible problems. Frankly, I wouldn’t want to work for someone who used techniques like these, but you may feel differently.

Script answers for tough questions and train yourself to respond calmly. Practice out loud in front of a mirror. If you’re stumped, look the interviewer in the eye and say, “That’s a tough question. I’m going to need a few moments to think about that.” Take time to gather your thoughts and make notes as necessary, and take a deep breath before you answer. Don’t be afraid of silence.

Below are examples of real questions candidates have been asked in an interview:

Draw my dog.

Are you a knee-jerk liberal?

Would you have had that job if your parents didn’t work for the company?

Even if you are asked inappropriate questions, there is a way to handle them professionally and matter-of-factly. Sometimes you’ll want to sidestep the question altogether, and sometimes you’ll want to answer it in a way that subtly indicates your awareness of its subtext. You don’t want to give the interviewer the impression that you think you’re smarter than he is, but you do want to convey that you’re not about to be taken for a ride—an interviewer may be posing a seemingly irrelevant question to see if you’ve got the confidence to push back. Or—strange as it may sound—he could be testing your sense of humor.

Another category is brainteasers, questions such as, “How many screwdrivers do you think there are in America?” or “How many jelly beans would fit in a car?” These are designed to test your problem-solving skills
and see how fast you can think on your feet. The point is not necessarily the answer, but the approach you’d take to get there and how well you can articulate your strategy.

Even if you are asked inappropriate questions, there is a way to handle them professionally and matter-of-factly. Sometimes you’ll want to sidestep the question altogether, and sometimes you’ll want to answer it in a way that subtly indicates your awareness of its subtext.

Something to keep in mind: Interviews that don’t go well are not necessarily your fault. Some interviewers are not good at interviewing or don’t like to do it. Some may conduct a poor interview because they’re tired or having a bad day. And some interviewers are just not that astute. If you get the sense that your interviewer is not doing a very good job, you need to try to take control without being overbearing. It is not solely the interviewer’s responsibility to elicit information from you; it is also your responsibility to convey your message.

If you were at a bar, what drink would you order?

Bad answer:
A Tequila Sunrise.
Good answer:
I’m sorry, I don’t understand how that’s relevant to this job. Is there a drinking policy?
Or:
I’m sorry, I’m trying to figure out what you’re trying to ascertain. I don’t drink on the job, if that’s what you’re asking….

How can you afford to live in this city on this salary? Are your parents paying for you?

Bad answer:
My dad’s buying me an apartment.
Good answer:
I’ve made a budget. I’ve made a decision to live here. I’m planning on working on the weekends at the same time.
Or:
Your question makes me wonder if we’re on the same page—what’s the range for entry-level positions here?

What are your politics? Who are you voting for?

Unless your résumé already makes your position clear or you’re applying for a job in the political arena, be neutral. The questioner may be less interested in your politics than in how you handle a charged question. Remain diplomatic and unflustered, and offer an innocuous comment.
It’s been quite a campaign, hasn’t it?
Hopefully that will guide the conversation into more neutral territory.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by showing up to the interview empty-handed. You can’t be too prepared, which is why you’ll need a number of essential supplementary materials:

Three copies of your résumé and cover letter—one for you to refer to, one for the interviewer, who may have misplaced his copy, and one in case someone else shows up for the meeting. Make the interview as easy as possible for them, and it’s certain to be easier for you.

The address where you’re going, along with a map if you need one.