Interviews With Applicants

What questions should I avoid?

Some topics and associated questions that are illegal include:

Race. "What race do you belong to?" "You look 'mixed' - was your mother of a different race than your father?"
Religion. "What church do you go to?" "Does this mean you won't work on weekends?" "Do you have to wear that head covering?"
National origin or ethnicity. "Were you born here?" "Sanchez, is that a Mexican name?" "Where are your parents from?"
Political affiliation or philosophy. "Which candidate do you like?" "What political parties do you belong to?" "Are you for or against the death penalty?"
Marital status. "Are you married?" "Are you planning to have [any/any more] kids?" "Does your husband work?"
Handicaps or illnesses. "Do you smoke?" "How often do you call in sick?" "How did you lose use of your legs?" "How much do you weigh?" "Are you HIV positive?"
Age. "How old are you?" "Don't you think you are too old to do this kind of work?"
Sexual orientation. "Are you gay?" "Do you live with someone of the same sex?" "Have you been tested for AIDS?"
Personal financial status. "Do you own your own home?" "Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?"