Non-Permissible Interview Questions

Questions that relate to gender, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age (40+) or disabilities are illegal, unless the employer can demonstrate that they relate to a bona fide requirement for the job.

Generally, questions about family planning and home responsibilities are also illegal. William & Mary does not consider current salary in the selection process.

The following are examples of non-permissible/illegal interview questions:

What is your nationality?
What country were you born in?
Where are your parents from?
Are you a member of a minority group?
Are you a United States citizen?
- Employers can ask - Are you able to provide proof of employment eligibility?
- Employers can ask - Do you require assistance, now or in the future, with securing work eligibility/ VISA documents?
How old are you?
What year did you graduate from high school or college?
Do you regularly attend church?
What faith are you?
As a woman/ man how would you handle working with a team comprised of mostly men/women?
Do you plan on getting married?
Do you have any children?
Do you have any disabilities? How does your condition affect your abilities?
- Employers can ask - Can you perform the tasks/duties of the job?
Have you ever been arrested?
- Employers can ask - Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
What is your current salary?
- Employers can ask – Does the following hiring range meet your expectations?

This resource includes material from the following sources:

UVA Career Center. (2023) Illegal Questions. https://career.virginia.edu/Students/Launch/Interviews/Mock%20Interviews%20%26%20Questions

SHRM (June 14, 2021). Guidelines on Interview and Employment Application Questions. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/toolkits/pages/interview-employment-application-questions.aspx