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Interview Questions
What you may ask about. What you shouldn’t ask about.
Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on arbitrary considerations of such characteristics as age, color,
disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Avoid questions that would lead applicants to believe these characteristics are a factor in their employment.
May Ask
(questions are job related)
Shouldn’t Ask
(questions are not job related)
Name
Applicant’s full name.
Have you ever worked at IU under a different
name, including nickname?
Is there any additional information I need to
check your work record?
What is your maiden name?
Applicant’s original name if changed by court
order or otherwise.
Age
Are you 18 years or older?
Date of birth, date graduated from high
school/college, or date of degree earned. May
discuss date of degree if provided in
application.
You cannot ask to see a birth certificate,
passport, or a driver license until after the hire.
Avoid questions that allude to or assume an
applicant’s age including: How do you feel
about working for someone younger than you?
Are you getting close to retirement age?
Marital/
Family
Status
Can the applicant perform specific job
related requirements such as travel,
weekend/unusual hours, or extended work
days?
Are you single? married? divorced?
Is your spouse a student or employee at IU?
Do you have any children? What are your
childcare arrangements?
It is the
applicant’s responsibility to decide if
they can manage working in addition to their
marital/family issues, not the hiring department.
Pregnancy
A woman’s current or pending pregnancy status
cannot be used in her evaluation.
Are you pregnant?
Do you intend to become pregnant in the
future?
Military Service
You may inquire about job related
experience acquired while in military service.
How do you think your experience in the
military would benefit you in this position?
What type of discharge did you receive?
An applicant’s current status with either
the
reserves or National Guard cannot factor in his
or her evaluation. Therefore you should not ask
if they are currently in the reserves or National
Guard.
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