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Can You Be Asked Your Age In A Job Interview

Questions you can’t ask in an interview are those that pry into an applicant’s protected status or privacy rights. For example, workers over the age of 40 are protected by age discrimination law. So you can’t ask an applicant’s age, even if their appearance or the graduation date on their resume gives it away.

Updated April 28, 2019. In this day and age, it is rare for an interviewer to ask a direct question about the age of a candidate. Asking how old you are, even in a roundabout way, is just something an interviewer is expected to avoid when conducting a job interview, as it is discriminatory and indicates ulterior motives.

Further, some state laws prohibit questions about age. Therefore, while you might be asked your age on a job application, you should generally not be getting questions about your age during the job interview. 2 

Age is not the only subject that is illegal for an interviewer to address. Other topics include race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin, among others. If you are asked a question about one of these topics in an interview, there are multiple ways you can respond. You can simply refuse to answer, or even end the interview.

Should you tell an interviewer your age?

As long as your are of legal age to work that job per the areas laws then there is no reason to mention your age. You should be more precise than “is not a factor.” for instance, an employer may factor in when an employee will probably retire, or when a woman may be likely to go on maternity leave.

Why do interviewers ask your age?

“Some hiring managers discriminate outright against older workers and ask this question to figure out if they’re approaching retirement age,” she explains. “If you’re a younger job seeker, the interviewer may ask your age to figure out just how low of a salary they can get away with offering you.”

What do you say when an interviewer asks your age?

While interview questions like this get asked during phone screens across the globe, it is technically an illegal interview question because it can often infer age. The Age Discrimination Act prevents employment discrimination based on age.

Is it legal for an interviewer to ask your age?

There are many topics that should be off-limits during a job interview. Questions about age, ancestry, citizenship, credit rating, criminal record, disabilities, family status, gender, military discharge, or religion should not be asked directly by an interviewer.

Can you be asked your age at a job interview?

Companies Are Legally Allowed to Ask for a Job Applicant’s Date of Birth: However, they not allowed to discriminate against workers aged 40 and older based upon their age.

Why can’t you ask someone’s age in an interview?

Questions you can’t ask in an interview are those that pry into an applicant’s protected status or privacy rights. For example, workers over the age of 40 are protected by age discrimination law. So you can’t ask an applicant’s age, even if their appearance or the graduation date on their resume gives it away.

What are 4 things that are illegal to ask during a job interview?

In the United States, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, national origin, or disability. There are federal and state laws in place to prevent discriminatory employment practices.

What is illegal to ask in a job interview?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects individuals by prohibiting discrimination against those age 40 and older and asking applicants for their DOB may cast doubt as to how that information is used.

What are the 5 illegal questions to ask in an interview?

Marital or Family Status / Pregnancy. Questions about pregnancy, plans for family, children, and child care are illegal job interview questions.

What questions are interviewers not allowed to ask?

5 Illegal Interview Questions You Should Never Answer (and What to Do When Facing Them)”Where are you from originally?” … “Do you go to church?” … “When did you graduate from high school (or college)?” … “Are you married?” … “How would you handle managing a team of all men?”Jul 25, 2018

What would you do if an interviewer asked you an illegal question?

Use a neutral and professional tone. By pointing it out, you are putting the employer on alert that you’re aware the question is off-limits. If they continue to ask the illegal question, you do have the right not to answer the question.

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal question during an interview?

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview? Refuse to answer the question because it is your legal right to do so. If you find the question harmless and if you want the job, go ahead and answer it.

More Answers On Can you be asked your age in a job interview

Can You Ask Someone’S Age In An Interview | Bd Jobs Today

Jul 19, 2021There is no safe question that the supervisor can ask about age, except to inquire whether an apparently young person is of legal age to enter full-time employment under the circumstances required of the job in question (in most instances, at least 18 years of age).

What to Do if Your Age Is an Issue in a Job Interview

Asking how old you are, even in a roundabout way, is just something an interviewer is expected to avoid when conducting a job interview, as it is discriminatory and indicates ulterior motives. However, age discrimination remains a significant issue for many older job seekers. How to Respond if an Interviewer Seems Concerned About Your Age

Can You Ask Someone Their Age In A Job Interview

Jan 8, 2022It is illegal to ask your age or date of birth or why you are seeking employment at a particular age, but it is legal to ask if you are old enough to work, if you are between eighteen and sixty-five years of age, and, if not, to state your age. from Messages: The Communication Skills Book by Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, Patrick Fanning

Age related interview question: how old are you? – HRNasty

If you need to be 18 years old to do the job, this question is legal. The above being said, I would say that in most cases, this is an absolutely the wrong interview question and for the most part if you are being asked this question in an interview, the interviewer didn’t know any better.

Is it Legal to Ask for a Job Applicant’s Date of Birth?

Jan 6, 2021Therefore, while you might be asked your age on a job application, you should generally not be getting questions about your age during the job interview. 2  Learn more about when employers can ask for your date of birth, what to do if you think you are discriminated against, and how to respond to questions about your age and other subjects.

Can Employers Ask Your Age on Job Applications? – AARP

Jun 10, 2021But that law doesn’t actually prohibit employers from asking how old you are. While the question could be used as evidence of bias in a lawsuit if you don’t get hired, you would still need to go to court and prove that your age is why you didn’t get that job. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Are job interviewers allowed to ask a person’s age during the interview …

Originally Answered: Can someone ask your age in a job interview? In US, no. They can ask if you are old enough to work. That age varies by job and state and an employer can verify that you’re old enough for the job in question. They also can’t engage in questioning or testing that might tend to reveal your approximate age.

I was recently asked my age during a job interview. What are … – Quora

It is not illegal for an employer to ask about your age. It is illegal for them to discriminate against you because of your age. If they ask for your age, tell them and be proud about it. Your age is a fact, and you cannot hide from it, so you might as well be up front and confident about it.

10 Questions Employers Can’t Ask You In A Job Interview

If you’ve ever been asked your age in a job interview, that’s an immediate red flag. … It turns out that 20 percent of hiring managers have asked an off-limits question in a job interview, only to realize their mistake afterward, according to a survey by CareerBuilder. What’s more, a third of the 2,100 hiring and human resources managers …

What would you do if someone asked your age during a Manager interview …

It may be a way to see how you react in unexpected situations. However don’t take the bait! As with all “behavioral” interview questions it is more important you don’t lose your cool demeanor. Ways to spin the age question might be to turn it into a question: “..wow, unusual interview question! I can’t recall I’ve ever been asked that in an …

When an Interviewer Asks Your Age – Business Insider

interview question without coming off as combative and hurting your chances of securing the job: 1. “I’ve been in the workforce for a number of years, but I also plan to work for many more — and…

How to Combat Age Discrimination During the Interview

You could respond by sharing your age and leaving it at that. This approach isn’t going to get you very far in the interview process with employers, either. 3.) The third option is to respond with your age and immediately follow up with the benefits your age can bring to the job position. For example, “That’s an interesting question.

An interviewer asked for my age! : jobs – reddit

The standard response for any personal questions an interviewer may ask: “I don’t believe that my [age, religion,sex,etc] will affect my ability to perform the duties of this job.” This may come off as brash or standoffish, but IMHO is the correct response. If the interviewer is asking you in a very informal manner perhaps due to curiosity, in …

We Can’t Ask Your Age in This Job Interview, but Please Take This Quiz …

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 Photograph by Ngampol Thongsai / EyeEm / Getty Per the human-resources department and the federal government, it’s illegal to ask a job candidate their age because it may lead to…

Interview Questions that you are Not Allowed to Ask – Age

Interview Questions that you are Not Allowed to Ask – Age With recent age legislation coming into the workplace, you have to be careful about discrimination towards applicants nearing retirement or those more youthful candidates.

Answer an Age Question At a Job interview by Focusing on Experience

Even though using the answer may lead to illegal discrimination, an interviewer may ask your age when trying out for a job. Business Insider recommends redirectiong your answer to focus on experience.

Is it legal to ask age in a job application? – New York Post

Oct 21, 2018That in and of itself isn’t illegal. What is illegal is if an employment decision is based on age. It’s more likely that it is just routine information-gathering, but how that information is used…

Is it Legal to Ask a Person their Age in an Interview? – Lawpath

If the role you’re interviewing for has these requirements, it’s legal to ask a person their age in an interview. This is also covered by Section 18 of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth). In other words, age discrimination for this reason isn’t against the law if an interviewee can’t carry out the duties that a job requires.

How to Handle Age Issues on a Job Interview: 11 Steps – wikiHow

May 6, 2021In theory, age discrimination should not factor into a job interview: if a company is professional and law-abiding, the interview should be about your qualifications alone. Unfortunately, however, age discrimination does sometimes occur. Whether you are perceived as too old or too young, there are ways to overcome obstacles related to your age.

Interview: Tell age or not? – The Workplace Stack Exchange

5. Age is not a factor in a job unless you are too old to perform a job or too young by law to perform a job. Concentrate on your years of experience and your knowledge on the subject. As long as your are of legal age to work that job per the areas laws then there is no reason to mention your age. Share. Improve this answer.

What to do when a job interview question leaves you stumped

4 days agoAn after-the-interview thank you email should express gratitude for the person’s time, but it can also include follow-ups to a question you might want to provide or flesh out more. Ruggiero …

The interview questions employers shouldn’t ask you – SEEK

Employers use job interviews as a way to work out how suitable you are for a role – and the interview is an ideal opportunity to discuss your skills and expertise. But there are limits to what employers can or should ask you about. Here’s what you need to know. What is acceptable for employers to ask? A job interview is designed to help …

What would you do if someone asked your age during a … – Jobcase

I would either ask them why they need to know, or just tell them you are old enough to do the job you are applying for. But be forewarned, IF YOU tell them your age, then that opens the door (legally) for them to ask additional age -related questions and could potentially pave the way for them to get away with discriminating against you without …

What Do You Dislike About Your Job? (Examples) | Career Sidekick

Hold Up! Before you go on an interview… Get our free PDF with the top 30 interview questions and answers. Join 10,000+ job seekers in our email newsletter and we’ll send you the 30 must-know questions, plus our best insider tips for turning interviews into job offers.

Are job interviewers allowed to ask a person’s age during the interview …

Answer (1 of 9): This answer applies to the US only. It is not illegal per se. However – and this is a big “however” – it is illegal to make any hiring or other employment decisions based on age, with one exception (see below). If you are not hired, if the interviewer asked your age, and if you …

I was recently asked my age during a job interview. What are … – Quora

Answer (1 of 11): Well, if it was asked in the United States, then the answer should be, “Sir, you may not be aware of this, but it is illegally discriminatory to ask or elicit a candidate’s age. I’m happy to pretend you asked out of ignorance.”

We Can’t Ask Your Age in This Job Interview, but Please Take This Quiz …

After all, age is just a number! But, to help us get to know you better, please fill out this questionnaire that is not at all about your possible irrelevance in a modern office. 1.

Interview Questions that you are Not Allowed to Ask – Age

Whilst this seems like a simple question, it is loaded with discrimination troubles. However, to be safe, ensure that the candidate is legally old enough to work for your organisation. Conversely, you can ask, “Are you over the age of 18?” Especially if they look like a particularly young candidate.

An interviewer asked for my age! : jobs – reddit

The standard response for any personal questions an interviewer may ask: “I don’t believe that my [age, religion,sex,etc] will affect my ability to perform the duties of this job.” This may come off as brash or standoffish, but IMHO is the correct response. If the interviewer is asking you in a very informal manner perhaps due to curiosity, in …

Is it legal in Spain to be asked your age in a job interview?

“It is illegal to ask your age in a job interview. Usually unless I’m dealing with the public administration, I never use my real data, as you can see from my profile. In a job interview I give my real name because otherwise it’d be awkward after, if they decide to hire me, but all of the other data (age, neighborhood I live in, marital …

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