Learn which questions to avoid asking candidates during job interviews to prevent discrimination and stay compliant with employment laws. Prepare for the SHRM-SCP certification exam with expert guidance.
Table of Contents
Question
Which question should interviewers avoid asking candidates during an interview?
A. Are you able to work for our company without immigration sponsorship?
B. Are you able to perform the work duties without accommodation?
C. Do you live close to our of the?
D. It sounds like you have an accent. Where are you from?
Answer
D. It sounds like you have an accent. Where are you from?
Explanation
Asking a candidate about their accent or national origin during a job interview is a discriminatory question that should be avoided. Inquiring about a person’s accent, ethnicity, or place of birth could be perceived as bias against certain groups and is not relevant to assessing their ability to perform the job duties. Such questions may violate equal employment opportunity laws that prohibit discrimination based on national origin or race.
In contrast, the other answer choices involve questions that are generally acceptable:
A. Asking about immigration sponsorship is allowed to ensure the candidate is legally authorized to work for the company.
B. Inquiring if the candidate can perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation is permissible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
C. Asking if the candidate lives near the office is job-related to assess potential commute issues, as long as it’s asked of all applicants.
Therefore, option D is the question that interviewers should avoid as it may constitute illegal discrimination. Sticking to job-related questions and avoiding inquiries about protected characteristics like national origin is crucial for fair, compliant interviewing practices.
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