Illegal

Interviewer can ask questions regarding whether you are able to meet work schedules, or travel for the position. He can ask about how long you expect to stay at a particular job, or with the prospective firm. Whether you anticipate any extended absences can also be asked.

An interviewer can't ask your marital status, if you have children, what your child care situation is, or if you intend to have children (or more children). You cannot be asked about your spouse's occupation or salary. If you choose to answer a question of this kind, a graceful way to answer is to say that you are able to perform all the duties that the position entails.

Inform the interviewer that the question doesn't seem to be legal or relevant to the specific requirements of the job. Be forewarned, though, that such a direct response should really be saved for questions that are offensive or deeply troubling.

During an interview, an interviewer can ask if you are able to work during the normal hours of operation of the business.

An interviewer cannot ask your religious affiliation, or holidays that you observe. It is illegal to be asked your place of worship, or your beliefs. If you are asked questions of this kind, you may reply that your faith will not interfere with your ability to do the job.

In a face to face interview, it is unlikely that an interviewer will not know your gender, but important that your gender not be taken into account in her assessment of your ability to do the job. You can't be asked your gender during any kind of interview for a position, unless it directly relates to your qualifications for a job, such as an attendant in a rest room, or locker room.

► Are you married or do you have a permanent partner?

► With whom do you live?

► How many children do you have?

► Are you pregnant?

► Do you expect to become have a family? When?

► How many children will you have?

► What are your child care arrangements?

If you are asked an illegal interview question, you always have the option to end the interview, or refuse to answer the question(s). It may be uncomfortable to do, but you need to be comfortable working at the company, and if the questions you are being asked during the interview are indicative of the company's policies, you may be better off finding out now.

Sometimes an interviewer will ask inappropriate questions accidentally, and in that case, you may choose to answer them politely, avoiding the substance of the question, but addressing the intent.