How to Handle Inappropriate Job Interview Questions: Tips for Baby Boomers and Seniors

Handling inappropriate job interview questions is never easy. As a person seeking employment, possibly a baby boomer or a senior, you have a job interview. Suddenly, you begin to realize that the person interviewing you appears to be asking you inappropriate questions.

How should you handle these kinds of questions?

Jobinterviewquestions.com offers words of advice about different kinds of job interview questions and responses.

Note that there may be other things happening in an interview, like the following:  

Misunderstanding of job interview questions:

Initial interviews can be confusing for employers and potential employees. There may be serious misunderstandings that need immediate clarification with your potential employee. Even though you may not be certain as to what to say or do, you can suggest to your interviewer that you are serious about the job. He or she may be having some fun at your expense and this may help to get your interview back on track.

Pre-screening or preliminary interview questions:

Discernment is important when going for a job interview, as it may actually be a pre-screening by your interviewer or a preliminary interview. These kinds of questions help to determine the more appropriate job candidates. Potential employees who pass this interview will return for a second job interview.

Be aware that with high unemployment rates and an increased number of potential job candidates, employers can be more selective and weed out applicants that are not suitable. How you respond to these kinds of questions is important. Be professional in your comportment and answers.

Job skill testing questions:

When an interviewer does an interview, there may be job skill sets or specific kinds of training that are required. If you do not understand what the interviewer is referring to in respect to certain terminology, it is advisable to ask questions. Make certain that your questions are always polite and well phrased. It may mean the difference between getting and not getting the job.

Suitability for employment questions:

Nowadays, employers may be seeking motivated, professional people, even for non-professional jobs. These may be entry-level jobs or a foot in the door for potential candidates seeking a job with a particular business, company or organization. The questions you are asked may not seem to be appropriate to you, but they may be the kinds of questions that are asked on that particular job. Your ability to handle them and to answer them appropriately, may get the job for you.

Sexual harassment questions:

Employers should not be asking anything that a potential employee might misinterpret as sexual harassment questions, but it does happen. Responding in a polite manner may disarm the employer who tends to embarrass potential employees on a regular basis. Note that the level of sexual harassment one receives on a job can vary and thus, sexual harassment questions may help the employer to learn whether you are able to deal with those kinds of questions. Letting him or her know that these kinds of questions are not appropriate is important and you may receive an apology.

Personal relationship questions:

Questions about your personal relationships are not appropriate for employers to ask potential employees, but sometimes, they are necessary depending upon the kind of employee he or she is seeking and the kind of job you are looking for. For example, perhaps an employer wants to hire only young, single mothers or fathers. He or she may be seeking older people with previous job training or only heterosexual employees. You may ask why the employer wants to know this kind of information and then accept or reject a job in accordance with your own personal preferences.

Trick job interview questions:

Job interview questions can be revealing and thus, a trick question asked by a potential employer, may catch a potential employee off guard. For example, “Why should I hire you?” may take you by surprise.

Before going for an interview, go online and learn the kinds of questions that employers ask prospective employees. Be prepared to answer them. Asking questions of your own may help you to gain the respect of your future employer.

Remember that employers may be interviewing many people. You might just be the right candidate, so stay optimistic.