Job interviews can make anyone feel a little vulnerable. You are putting yourself out there, answering questions designed to uncover your experience, personality, and potential weaknesses. It is normal to feel on the spot, but it is equally important to remember that some questions are simply off-limits.
Knowing your rights can help you spot interview red flags early and protect yourself from inappropriate or discriminatory questioning.
1. Outright Discrimination
Some questions have no place in an interview, ever. Anything related to your:
- Ethnicity or race
- Sexual orientation or gender identity
- Religion or political beliefs
- Physical appearance or disability
- Marital status or family situation
These are illegal interview questions in Australia and many other countries. They have nothing to do with your ability to perform a role and are protected under anti-discrimination laws.
If you are asked something that crosses the line, you are within your rights to refuse to answer or end the interview. You can simply say:
“I’m not sure that question relates to the role, so I’d prefer not to answer.”
If it feels uncomfortable or unsafe, you can end the interview altogether. You deserve respect and professionalism throughout the hiring process.
2. Seemingly innocuous (but still inappropriate) questions
There are some questions that may seem pretty innocent on the surface (and may well be asked with innocent intentions), however it’s still important to know that if you’re not comfortable answering something, you don’t have to. A question like “do you have kids?” could be perfectly innocuous and just the result of the interviewer’s curiosity. Or you might be being asked this for a more insidious reason.
Gut instinct comes into play here and context is important. For example, if the employer is telling a fun story about their own children because the topic comes up naturally in conversation and then they casually ask if you also have children, their motivations may well be totally innocent. Conversely, if you are discussing a specific element of the role or the work required of you and the interviewer suddenly asks about your children out of nowhere, they might harbor discriminatory views around the capacity of parents to meet career demands.
The important thing to remember is that you’re not obliged to answer this question either way, even if it is seemingly being asked with good intentions. It’s perfectly ok to say something like “thank you for asking, but I’d prefer to focus on the role today and how I might be of benefit to your organisation.”
You are never obligated to share personal details.
3. Tricky or Roundabout Questions
Sometimes inappropriate questions are hidden behind seemingly neutral phrasing. For example:
- “When did you graduate?” – a subtle way to guess your age
- “Where are you from?” – a veiled question about ethnicity or background
- “Do you live nearby?” – a potential way to assess your family situation or reliability
Even if they sound harmless, these are still interview red flags. You do not owe an answer, and you can respond by steering back to your skills or experience.
4. Remember: You Have Power Too
It is easy to feel like the interviewer holds all the cards, but that is not the full picture. You are interviewing them too.
An organisation’s behaviour during an interview says a lot about its culture and values. If something feels off, it probably is. Do not ignore your instincts.
If the questioning crosses into clear discrimination, you can:
- Seek legal advice, or
- Lodge a complaint with Fair Work or your state’s anti-discrimination board.
Key Takeaway
An interview should be a professional conversation, not a personal interrogation.
You have every right to protect your privacy and expect respect.
If you are ever unsure about what is appropriate, remember this simple rule:
If it does not relate directly to the job, it does not belong in the interview.