8 job interview questions you shouldn't answer

8 job interview questions you should never answer

Job interviews often come with interesting questions that you’re not always comfortable answering. This may be due to personal preference, ethical considerations, or it may simply be beyond the scope of the information entrusted to you. However, there are some questions that are better not to answer at all in an interview, so as not to create unnecessary problems and risk your future career.

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**1. How much do you earn?

This question is one of the most unpleasant and uncomfortable at a job interview. Contrary to popular belief, your current salary is not necessarily an indicator of your professional worth. Sharing salary information can lead to a situation where a potential employer will try to cut your salary or offer less than you are really worth.

*Want to know how to answer the other 7 questions? Read the article on TechNews.ru!

Interview Questions You Shouldn’t Answer

There may be questions asked during a job interview that you should not answer. These may be related to private information, unacceptable topics, or questions that may cause discrimination. The following are some of these questions:

Privacy Questions

These may be questions about marital status, pregnancy planning, orientation or faith. Such questions are unacceptable because they violate the applicant’s privacy and may cause discrimination. 2. Age Questions

Questions about age are also unacceptable because they can be used to discriminate against older or younger applicants. An employer should not focus on an applicant’s age when making a hiring decision. 3. Questions about nationality or ancestry

Questions about nationality, origin or migration status are prohibited. They should not be used to make hiring or further employment decisions. 4. Health and disability questions

The selection of an employee to be hired should be based on his or her skills, not on health or disability. Therefore, questions about health, illness or disability are impermissible. 5. Questions about financial status

Questions about salary, financial status or personal financial obligations are also inappropriate. Such questions do not relate to the applicant’s professional qualifications and should not influence the hiring decision. 6. Questions about political beliefs or party preferences

Questions about political beliefs or party preferences can also be discriminatory and are not relevant to the job. The employee being hired should be evaluated on his or her professional qualifications, not his or her political views. 7. Questions about former employers

Questions about previous employers may violate an applicant’s confidentiality and rights. These questions may also evoke negative emotions and may be difficult to answer positively. 8. Questions about past difficulties and mistakes

Asking about a job seeker’s past difficulties and mistakes can create a negative impression and break trust. It is better to focus on the positive aspects and accomplishments of the job seeker.

It is important to remember that the selection of the right candidate should be based on their professional qualities and work experience, not on personal characteristics or aspects that are related to discrimination or privacy. If you are asked such questions in an interview, you can politely decline to answer or draw the interviewer’s attention to the inappropriateness of the question in the employment context.

Your age and marital status

When asked about your age and marital status, you should be careful how you answer during an interview. The employer should be evaluating your skills, experience and professional credentials, not personal information.

It is forbidden to ask questions about your age in an interview as this may be a sign of age discrimination. Legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment.

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Marital status is personal information that is not relevant to your professional life. Asking about marital status may show that an employer may be evaluating you based on your personal life rather than your professional skills and experience. In addition, asking about marital status can open the door to discrimination based on categories such as pregnancy, marital status, or sexual orientation.

If an employer asks about your age or marital status, you are encouraged to answer without specifics and focus on your professional credentials and experience in the field.

Your political beliefs

In job interviews, it is generally advisable to avoid discussing political beliefs. Politics is a sensitive topic that can be divisive or disliked by others. However, if an employer specifically asks this question, you should respond intelligently.

If you are asked about your political beliefs, it is best not to get into details or get into controversial topics. Answer with basic facts about your attitude toward politics, showing moderation and respect for other points of view.

For example, you might say:

My attitude toward politics is based on principles of fairness, equality, and civil liberties.
I strive to be informed about political events and to participate in the civic life of my country.
I do not have a particular political party that I always vote for. I evaluate candidates and their programs to make my decision in every election.
I believe that political discussions and debates are important for the progress of society, but I always try to remain respectful of other people’s opinions.

It is important to remember that your response should not cause controversy or conflict. Respect the opinions of others and focus on how your political beliefs can be useful or aligned with the goals of the company you want to work for.

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To back up what you say, you can give examples of your involvement in the political process, participation in community organizations, or volunteering in civic engagement.

So, if you are asked about your political beliefs in a job interview, you can respond by stating your values and principles in politics, but try not to provoke controversy or conflict and at

Your religious beliefs

Religion is a very personal and intimate aspect of each person’s life. Questions about religion can be sensitive and can provoke discussion or conflict. Therefore, you should be careful and deliberate when talking about your faith in a job interview.

An employer may not ask about your religious affiliation or beliefs, as this is a violation of the law in many countries, including Russia.

You are not obliged to answer questions about your religion if they are started in an interview. If you are asked a question, you can gently talk about your respect for diversity and tolerance. You should not go into detail about your beliefs, and it is best to answer briefly and neutrally.

Professional competence and quality of work is of utmost importance. Employers should single out candidates based on their skills, experience and knowledge, not on their religious beliefs.

If you are asked about your religion in an interview, you should politely clarify how this information relates to your skills and experience and why it is important to the employer.

Your salary level at your previous job

Interviews often ask questions about your salary level at a previous job. This can be a trap, as answering this question can negatively affect your salary negotiation position in your new job.

Why you should not answer this question:

Prefer to talk about your expectations: When an employer asks about your previous salary, it can limit your range in salary negotiations. Instead, it is better to talk about what salary you expect at your new job.
Determine your market value: Do your research and determine the market value of your position based on your experience and skills. This way, you will be able to offer your salary requirements more confidently.
Direct the question: If you are still urged to name your previous salaries, you can ask the employer to name the range in which they expect to pay employees in the position or say that you are willing to consider their salary offer based on your skills and experience.

Answering a question about your previous salary can provide the employer with information that can be used against you in salary negotiations. It is better to focus on your skills, experience, and salary expectations to get a fair and favorable offer.

FAQ:

What are the best questions to skip in a job interview?

It is best to skip questions about personal life, religion, politics or other personal beliefs in an interview. You should also avoid questions about your age, marital status, or financial situation.

Why should I not answer questions about my weaknesses in a job interview?

By answering questions about your weaknesses, you risk creating a negative impression and reducing your chances of getting the job. It is better to focus on your strengths and the abilities you can bring to the workplace.

Questions about previous employers and coworkers are also not worth answering?

Yes, it is better to avoid answering questions about previous employers and colleagues. Negative feedback or comments can give the impression that you are not good at teamwork or have problems with work organization.

Why is it best not to answer questions about salary expectations?

Answering questions about salary expectations can be an excuse for an employer to offer you a lower level salary. It’s better to focus on discussing your skills and work experience, and leave the salary discussion for later.

What questions about job challenges should you skip?

In an interview, you should skip questions about difficulties in past jobs if they ended in a layoff or other negative circumstances. It is better to focus on how you handled the difficulties and what you learned from them.