Have you ever had that awkward experience during an interview wherein you were caught off guard with the questions of the interviewer?
If you had, sorry that this article has been a little late. But if you never had, read on to help you with future encounters.
What seems to be offensive questions in a job interview will slip through no matter how careful the interviewer is. The interviewer will look at you straight in the eye and squeeze out an intriguing question and even those totally cross the line.
In a way, he or she will overlook at that impressive resume and your excellent interview responses and judge you through questions with regard to sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or disabilities. Those issues may hinder you to get the job if you do not respond appropriately.
Questions like, “In what country were you born?” “Are you gay?” “What is your religion?” “Do you have a neurological disease?” “How many years will it be before you qualify for social security?” may turn up and here’s how you should respond.
Respond with a question of your own.
While challenging the interviewer may win you the point, you will most likely lose the job opportunity. Instead, respond with another question to clarify the interviewer’s purpose in asking.
Ask if how it relates to your job or why did the interviewer ask. The interviewer may give you an answer or cave in to his or her intent. Either way, you need to speak in a friendly gesture that will get you out of that question.
Photo via Job Diagnosis
Answer the concern behind the question.
You need to guarantee the interviewer that despite that sexual orientation, religion, nationality or disabilities issue, it will not get in the way of doing the job.
You need to take control of the situation by focusing on what you can do as an engineer to the company and not with the discrimination. Present your accomplishments and how you represent a strong fit.
Evaluate the situation.
Think about the intent of the question really was: it may be a product of real bias on the part of the interviewer or just a slip of the tongue.
If you think of the former, the company might not be the best for you as that bias will just surface once you work for them. It’s time to move on and find a company that will appreciate you despite of your sexual orientation, religion, nationality or disabilities.
There are existing laws in several parts of the world when it comes to employment discrimination based on age, disability, genetic information, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, race, and religion.
Check whether you country has one, educate yourself with it and use it to your advantage. That is a part of your responsibility as a job hunter.
