Prohibited and Acceptable Questions

These guidelines show the kinds of questions that are prohibited and acceptable during a job interview and before a job offer has been made.

To ask about other specific interview questions, contact your unit's HR professional, the central Office of Human Resources, the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office, or the Office of the General Counsel.

Sample Questions

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Age

Acceptable

  • (If required) Are you 18 years or older?
  • What are your long-term career goals?

Prohibited

  • When did you graduate high school?
  • Do you plan to retire soon?

Disability

Acceptable

  • With or without accommodation, are you able to perform the essential functions of this job?
  • This position requires you to occasionally lift 25 pounds. Are you able to meet that?

Prohibited

  • Do you have a disability or health problem?
  • Do you need a work accommodation?
  • How many times were you sick last year?
  • Do you have a condition that affects your work?
  • Have you filed a work comp claim?
     

Marital Status

Acceptable

None. Spousal offers should be discussed at the time of the offer.

Prohibited

  • Are you married?
  • Is that/what is your maiden name?
  • Would you need a spousal offer?

Military/Veteran Status

Acceptable

  • If needed for employment history, you may ask about applicant’s military experience in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Prohibited

  • What type of discharge did you receive?
  • When will you be deployed?
  • Any inquiry about non-US military service.

Pregnancy/Familial Status

Acceptable

  • The hours for this position are X-X. Are you able to work those hours?
  • (If required of the role) This position at times requires evening or weekend work. With advanced notice, are you able to accommodate that?

Prohibited

  • How many children do you have?
  • When are you due?
  • Do you have childcare arrangements?
  • Who all lives with you?
  • Will these work hours get in the way of your kids’ schedules?

Public Assistance

Acceptable

  • The schedule of the position is X. Are you able to work these hours?

Prohibited

  • Do you rent or own your home?
  • Where do you live?
  • Do you own a car?

Race/Nationality

Acceptable

  • Are you legally eligible to work in the US?
  • Do you require sponsorship for a work visa to be eligible for employment in the US?

Prohibited

  • What language do you speak at home?
  • Your name sounds like it's from [country]?
  • How did you learn [foreign language]?

Religion

Acceptable

  • The schedule of the position is X-x. Are you able to work these hours?

Prohibited

  • What church do you attend?
    What religious holidays do you observe?
    What are you doing for [religious holiday, e. g. Christmas or Passover]?
  • Do you wear X because of your faith?

Sex Gender/Gender Identity

Acceptable

  • Because pronouns may reveal gender identity, do not ask for them. You may share your pronouns when introducing yourself, but do not solicit this information.

Prohibited

  • What gender do identify with?
  • What pronouns would you like us to use?

Sexual Orientation

Acceptable

None.

Prohibited

  • What is your sexual orientation?
  • Do you have a same-sex partner in need of benefits?