Inappropriate Job Interview Questions

[2tallbill]

Most people do not understand that an interview is a two way street. The company wants to make sure you are a good fit for the job and you want to make sure that the job meets your qualifications as well. If I were her, I would simply, and respectfully, tell the interviewer that it " would appear from this line of questioning that you had some issues before but rest assured my family is very much behind me, and I am quite capable of performing these functions". Then immediately start to ask questions that moves the topic to other more important things. In other words take control of the situation. They will understand that this line of questioning is now closed.

+1


Yes, taking the bull by the horns and turning the situation around is the best
strategy. It doesn't really matter why the idiot thought they should or could
ask the question, the important thing is to show that you can handle it and
that it wouldn't cause a problem.


It would be interesting to know if the person was a man or a woman

[Shadow]

There are no illegal questions. However one has the right not to answer questions that go outside the job.
It is hard to find the correct way to answering. My view would be to add some humor by answering that he asked his mother and she was ok with it...

[Goombah]

However said there are no illegal questions is dead wrong for the USA.  See the first link I posted above.

[Faux Pas]

However said there are no illegal questions is dead wrong for the USA.  See the first link I posted above.

The questions posed by the OP wouldn't fall under those guidelines. If it is as he said it is, no law has been broken. It's not illegal to ask  "do you have your husband's permission". I have doubts as to whether that was even asked but, if it was, it's not illegal. Bad taste perhaps but, who hasn't had a job interview where the interviewer was a douchebag?

[BillyB]

Bad taste perhaps but, who hasn't had a job interview where the interviewer was a douchebag?

Interviewers have a difficult job. They may ask uncomfortable questions but they get the blame or fired if the rest of the employees and their boss are uncomfortable with their hires and the company goes downhill. Everybody loses when that happens. Keeping a sharp mind and having thick skin to any question is important and respond to the question as viking said "it would appear from this line of questioning that you had some issues before but rest assured my family is very much behind me, and I am quite capable of performing these functions". Responding like that will set a guy/gal from the rest of the competition.

[Kineo]

 
Most of you are so diplomatic.........
 
How about saying "If you like I can go get my husband/wife. That way you won't need to take my word, you can ask him/her ................"
 
I know sarcasm abounds!
 
 
 
 
 
 

[2tallbill]

Most of you are so diplomatic.........

If you are trying to get a job then being a little bit
diplomatic is usually a good idea.

[acctBill]

There are no illegal questions. However one has the right not to answer questions that go outside the job.
It is hard to find the correct way to answering. My view would be to add some humor by answering that he asked his mother and she was ok with it...

Shadow what do you mean there are no illegal questions?  You're European I believe,  as am I, we both know there are illegal questions that can not be asked at job interviews in Europe.   

[Goombah]

... as there absolutely are in the USA as well:  see the links I posted above.

[tfcrew]

From the link..

Federal and state laws prohibit prospective employers from asking certain questions that are not related to the job they are hiring for.

Open, is how enforceable all that really is.

In a nutshell, employers should not be asking about your race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age.

Now country of origin?...Many employers would prefer Russians based on their reputation as hard workers.
Race?...Isn't that visually obvious anyway?
Disabilities?...Some people are idiots and many call that a disability now-a-days.
Everybody is asked 'are they married'...in some cases it is expressed as a 'significant other' [whatever that might mean  ]

Here is a more 'official'? looking link ref to Idaho... 
 
http://labor.idaho.gov/lawintvw3.htm