Interview Failure

[rebeccajo 14]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

I can't believe they asked you that.

I believe that IS probably the reason you didn't get it. And I don't think your answer would have mattered one bit. They have a problem.

Therefore you just had the luckiest career day of your life.

[kc456 0]

What size employer were they? I'd be surprised if any large or medium size company would ask those kind of questions.

[Fandango 1,439]

Seriously, they have the right to ask you about your familial status? Somethin about that stinks to me....

[silvanski 1]

Better luck next time. Will keep my fingers crossed for ya

[Fandango 1,439]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Don't answer that kind of stuff. If asked such nonsense again, tell an interviewer politely: "I will pretend that you didn't ask this question. However, if there is a concern about my ability to meet the company's attendance requirements, let me assure you that I will report to work as scheduled as I have done in previous positions. There has never been an attendance problem with any previous employer and I intent to keep it that way.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

Yeah, but here's the rub...a man does that, he's considered 'confident, assertive, leadership material, etc'...a woman does that, she's a 'ballbreaker'

Edited March 2, 2006 by LisaD

[snz1802 0]

It is illegal to ask that question in an interview, I am sorry you had to go through that...next time you have an interview and they ask you that question, politely ask what does having children have to do with your capabilities of performing the requirements of the job. That really burns me up when Interviewers go over the line like that!!!!

[ChristinaM 0]

While laws vary from state to state, there are some definite taboo areas with regard to interview questions that employers should be avoiding. Following are some of the basic subject areas and questions that if asked during the course of the interview, might be viewed as illegal questions being asked with the intention to discriminate:

* Questions related to location of birthplace, nationality, ancestry, or descent of applicant, applicant's spouse, or parents.

(Example: Pasquale--Is that a Spanish name?)

* Questions related to your sex or marital status.

(Example: Is that your maiden name?)

* Questions related to race or color.

(Example: Are you considered to be part of a minority group?)

* Questions related to religion or religious days observed.

(Example: Does your religion prevent you from working weekends or holidays?)

* Questions related to physical disabilities or handicaps.

(Example: Do you have any use of your legs at all?)

* Questions related to health or medical history.

(Example: Do you have any pre-existing health conditions?)

* Questions related to pregnancy, birth control, and child care.

(Example: Are you planning on having children?)

It should be noted that just because an illegal question has been asked does not necessarily mean a crime has been committed. Just because the question has asked does not establish intent. It is up to a court of law to determine whether the question or any resulting information was used in a discriminatory manner.

http://www.collegegrad.com/ezine/23illega.shtml

One should not ever be asked that (man or woman), Welshie, and I think you handled it very well.

However, women are often singled out because of their gender, and it is a violation of Title VII for employers to require information about child care arrangements from female applicants only.

http://employment.findlaw.com/employment/e...interviews.html

Found that one too.

[Welshcookie 17]

Ah well.....at least I got some interview practice in

It is surprizing actually cos this was a large medical practice with mainly female employees...although saying that the last time I was asked that question was 6 years ago at a university interview....at an all female college..

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It is surprizing actually cos this was a large medical practice...

Well, in that case, sue them. It's a medical practice, they expect that...

[Mand 1]

What a shower of wankers!!! Seriously, I think you probably had a lucky escape and are a million times better off not having to be a part of their closed minded ways.

[TracyTN 237]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Don't answer that kind of stuff. If asked such nonsense again, tell an interviewer politely: "I will pretend that you didn't ask this question. However, if there is a concern about my ability to meet the company's attendance requirements, let me assure you that I will report to work as scheduled as I have done in previous positions. There has never been an attendance problem with any previous employer and I intent to keep it that way.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

Quite honestly, I'm not even sure if they can legally ask you that, at least not in the US (or so I thought). It has no bearing on your abilities for the job.

[Fandango 1,439]

Thinking about this more and more is doing nothing but completely pissing me off!

Cookie, I'm a little confused as to where you are...you and your man are in England, right? Is this allowed there?

[m_and_m20 0]

It is surprizing actually cos this was a large medical practice...

Well, in that case, sue them. It's a medical practice, they expect that...

Yeah....sue sue sue!!!!!

I'm sorry you didn't get the job, but after all of that, would you even want to work there if they are going to give you grief about your kids????

[faith 0]

....the only gripe I had with the whole interview, and I don't think this was the reason I didn't get offered the job, was they asked me directly if I had children and what my 'childcare provisions' were if I was offered the position.

That's a question I wouldn't dare ask in an interview. It doesn't in any way, shape or form pertain to the job in question. All the interviewer is entitled to quiz you on is your ability to meet the attendance requirements. Period.

Don't answer that kind of stuff. If asked such nonsense again, tell an interviewer politely: "I will pretend that you didn't ask this question. However, if there is a concern about my ability to meet the company's attendance requirements, let me assure you that I will report to work as scheduled as I have done in previous positions. There has never been an attendance problem with any previous employer and I intent to keep it that way.

Truth be told, the fact that you even have kids has no place in the interview either.

Quite honestly, I'm not even sure if they can legally ask you that, at least not in the US (or so I thought). It has no bearing on your abilities for the job.

The thing is they can ask it, but they can't hold it against you when considering you for the job. It's a really fine line there.

[munchkins 0]

Welsh, sorry to hear that and they were so wrong to be asking those questions. when I had my own business I was not allowed to ask any potential employee what their plans for children were. So I went off how old they were!! not completely ethical but I was only a one man band and could not have afforded maternity cover etc.

Anyway it is their loss and something will turn up for you probably a better company than this one, just keep your spirits up Good luck for your next interview