Ethical Issues

It is illegal for employers to ask questions of a personal nature prior to employment. Whether you are married or single, have children, or belong to a certain religious group should have no bearing on your ability to do the job. However, this does not mean that you won't be asked illegal questions. Many interviewers have had little training and don't realize that they are asking improper questions; other interviewers know and ask anyway to see how you handle uncomfortable situations.

Please refer to a separate handout in the Career Resource Center that lists the legal and illegal aspects of the following questions: name, age, national origin, race/color, citizenship, disability, and criminal record. Also, you need to be aware of the regulations for drug testing, as they vary from state to state. You need to decide ahead of time how you feel about this serious issue. In most cases, the decision not to be tested will eliminate you from consideration for the job.

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