Alert! You should never be asked these job interview questions

Anyone who’s done even a handful of job interviews will have a story or two of an interview misstep, from an awkward sweaty handshake or a professionalism slip-up, no one’s perfect, and interviewers and interviewees alike are just human, after all.

And while it’s par for the course to excuse an accidental slip-up, there are certain questions you should never be asked in an interview setting, not just because they’re ridiculous but because it’s actually against the law to bring them up.

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Yep, there are hard and fast rules when it comes to what an interviewer can or can’t ask a prospective employee, thanks to the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2004. These outline nine clear grounds of discrimination: age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, family status, race, religion and membership of the Travelling community.

But recognising what questions are actually entirely against the law can be tricky, because no interviewer is going to ask if you have any disabilities, or how you identify in terms of gender or sexual orientation.

Pic: Getty

No – the questions you get asked will be a lot less obviously intrusive, but no less discriminatory. For example:

“Do you have a big family?”

“Have you any kids yourself, or would you like to?”

“I see you’re married – what does your partner do?”

“Are you from Ireland originally?”

In short, anything that pertains to what could arguably be construed as your personal life is going to be legally protected on the basis of the above discrimination grounds. But letting your interviewer know that can be tricky, to say the least.

Pic: Getty

Here’s where we can take our cues from those among us who are subjected to more interviews than could be considered humane: celebrities and politicians. There are multiple examples of actors and musicians being quizzed by journalists and deflecting or downright rejecting the questions, without causing a massive media firestorm.

When J Lo was grilled in 2021, about her rumoured second-chance romance with now husband Ben Affleck by Today host Hoda Kotb, who asked, “Every time I see a picture of you and Ben, I’m like, ‘She looks happier! She looks happier!’ Are you happier?”, she immediately deflected and brought things back to what she wanted to talk about. “The song [Love Makes the World Go Round] is out,“ she responded. “I believe that that message of loving one another and coming together and love is never more relevant than it is right now.”

Should a question come up that makes you uncomfortable – or even falls into the remit of being downright illegal – the only option you’ll have is to run with it, and try to redirect the spotlight back onto your experience, achievements and skills.

Pic: Getty

Depending on the question, it might work to deflect, saying, for example, “I’d rather focus on the work I did on…” or “I think what’s important is my experience in…” or to ask for clarification, “can you give me some examples from your own point of view?” or even a very straightforward “can you clarify that question please?”

A more personal question might need a response that points out the fact that the question is inappropriate, without tanking the interview entirely. For example, responding to a question about your marital status or plans to have children with, “I’ve always kept my personal life entirely separate from my work life, as I feel like it’s important to be able to focus 100% on my work while I’m in the office,” may be enough.

You should always remember, though, that it’s not just the company interviewing you; you’re also interviewing them to see if you’ll be a good fit, and you get to ask questions too. In fact, you may well find yourself asking some entirely inappropriate questions, entirely by accident.

Pic: Shutterstock

If you find yourself about to go down a dark path, quizzing your interviewer on the best lunch spots near the office; or asking whether you can take two weeks off as soon as you start, take a minute to gather your thoughts.

Do some deep breathing, slow down your speaking – nerves make everyone talk too fast – and focus your questions on the position, the company and its culture.

And if you’re on the lookout for a new job, and the opportunity to hone your interview skills, it’s always worth looking at the latest listings on the Evoke Job Board.

Stock Controller, United Drug, Ballina

United Drug has a vacancy for a full-time Stock Controller to manage stock control in carrying out day-to-day operations. You’ll ensure that stock accuracy is maintained throughout the warehouse, assisting in the preparation and carrying out of stock takes and cycle counts, and liaising with other members of staff, as required. You will need previous experience within operational stock control, and a minimum of three years’ experience working with MS Office. See all of the details of this job, along with further opportunities at United Drug.

Environmental Health and Safety Manager, PHX Ireland, Dublin

PHX Ireland is hiring an Environmental Health and Safety Manager to be accountable for the management of and advisory to management on all matters pertaining to the safety, health and welfare of persons and protection of the environment across the business. You will coordinate the EHS Management System and processes of the business to ensure a safe place of work. A qualification (diploma level or higher) in environmental/occupational health and safety, along with a strong working knowledge of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, General Application Regulations, Building Regulations, and the Fire Services Act is needed. Find out more on this job, or explore other roles at PHX Ireland.

Pharmacy Technician, LloydsPharmacy Ireland Ltd, Artane

LloydsPharmacy Ireland has an opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician in Artane Castle. You will prepare and dispense prescriptions; take responsibility for prescription control and paperwork; prepare Monitored Dosage Systems and monthly claims for submission to the HSE PCRS, among other tasks. Fluent written and spoken English, with excellent communication skills is required as is experience working with Touchstore and Arc Claim Management Function in a high-volume dispensing and customer service environment. Get your application in, or see other opportunities at LloydsPharmacy.

See a variety of current vacancies across Ireland on the Evoke Job Board