Good and Bad

The interviewer may ask questions pertaining to your ability to perform specific tasks, such as "Are you able to safely lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds?", or "This position requires standing for the length of your shift, are you able to do that comfortably?" or "Are you able to sit comfortably for the duration of your shift? "Under no circumstances is a prospective employer allowed to ask your height, weight, or any details regarding any physical or mental limitations you may have, except as they directly relate to the job requirements. If you choose to reply, you can state "I am confident that I will be able to handle the requirements of this position."

There are instances where an employer may need to determine an applicant's age. The interviewer can ask a young interviewee if he has appropriate working papers. If the job requires that an applicant is of a legal minimum age for the position (i.e. bartender, etc.), the interviewer can ask as a pre-requisite to employment that proof of age be furnished. If the company has a regular retirement age, they are permitted to ask if the applicant is below that age.

It is legal to ask about whether candidates have been convicted of a crime, but not if they have been arrested. Cases may have been dismissed without a conviction, or the original charges may have been lowered to lesser charges.

There is nothing I have ever done that would give your company any concern that I would breach any trust that the job you have requires. (The interviewer may be concerned about employee dishonesty, hence the question. Your answer satisfies the concern without turning off the interviewer.)

An 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.

Yes, you should have questions, but not these:

☛ Will I need to pass a drug test before I get hired? How much notice will I have?

☛ Do you do background checks?

☛ Will you be checking my references?

☛ How often do people get raises here?

☛ Do you cover sick days? How many can I have each month?

☛ How much vacation will I get?

☛ How big is the employee discount? Is there a limit on how much I can buy? ☛ Is it OK to resell?

☛ Would you like to go out for a drink after this? (flirt after accepting a job offer)

Employers can not make judgments about a person's dedication to their work by whether they have kids or will have them in the future. "If the employer wants to find out how committed the candidate will be to the job offered, the interviewer should ask questions such as, 'What hours can you work?' or 'Do you have commitments aside from work that will interfere with specific job requirements such as traveling?