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Becca Carnahan is an experienced career coach located outside of Boston, MA. She is dedicated to helping early and mid-career professionals find fulfillment and joy in their work.

Carnahan told Bored Panda that every job interview is different and the same. "The skills and competencies interviewers screen for will differ significantly based on the role and the company," she said. "However, you will almost always be asked a variation of 'tell me about yourself.'"

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) All kinds of questions regarding my marriage status, if/when I plan to marry, if/when I plan to have children and how I would organize childcare for the hypothetical children.

All of those questions are illegal where I live, by the way, and I refused to answer them. I didn't get those jobs, in case that wasn't obvious.

I have also heard multiple people openly admit (outside of job interviews) that they don't like to hire women of a certain age (because ALL of them get pregnant and who has the money for that kind of hassle - we have a right to paid parental leave and a return to your previous position here) or mothers because they are unreliable and won't do overtime. Hiring men of the same age or fathers came with none of those concerns. But "I have to understand them. They need to make money. They don't have anything against women!".

The fun fact: I don't have or want children. I still get "punished" just for having the biological setup to do so.

Meretneith , Alexander Suhorucov Report

Final score:

189points

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Nadine Bamberger 3 years ago

They don't have anything against women except for all of the above mentioned.

67points

dkrips , LinkedIn Sales Solutions Report

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I was asked if I was married, and then asked if I would be open to the idea of cheating on my husband.

Final score:

184points

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La Petite Morte 3 years ago

Walt, what? Wow, they confirmed a future sexual harassment lawsuit right there!!

120points

"There are subjects that are not just off-limits, but also illegal for interviewers to ask," Carnahan highlighted. "Questions around marital status, children, ethnicity, religion, race, and age should not be asked in an interview. Keep in mind, the laws in your state as well. For example, in some states, employers cannot ask about your salary history."

According to the career coach, while some inappropriate or illegal interview questions may be asked off-hand or with innocent 'get to know you' intentions, it is fully within your rights to not answer the question. "You can state that you would prefer not to answer, you can redirect the conversation, or directly ask 'Is that relevant to this position I am applying for?' or 'Can you help me understand how this question is relevant to the job I am being considered for?'" Carnahan said it can be intimidating to respond in this way but it's also important to protect yourself and your boundaries.

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I've definitely had the pregnancy/marriage, etc. questions, but I remember an interview I had with a random company while I was just searching for any job I could get because I needed a job, and the people who interviewed me were the owner of the company and the two women I would be working with. After getting through my skills, they asked me if I was okay with swearing, I said sure, then they asked me if I was a "snowflake, because a lot of young people are nowadays." They also basically told me that, since I would be working with a lot of middle-aged and older men, I would just need to deal with some light sexual harassment and that they wouldn't be doing anything about it because "that's how it's always been."

cookiescoop , Anna Shvets Report

Final score:

169points

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Iso 3 years ago

yeah, don't think about it too much, it's just tradition

50points

TammyUlyssesSwanson , Charles Deluvio Report

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) This was during an exit interview where I was leaving a traditional job to pursue something less traditional. My manager (M45) asked me what my parents thought about my decision, making sure that I had their permission to quit.

For the record, I am in my mid-thirties, well established in my field, and do not have any sort of financial dependence on my parents.

Completely surreal and condescending.

Final score:

160points

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LesAnimaux 3 years ago

This says more about your boss than about you

61points

Sadly, we might see a spike in such interviews. Recent projections based on economic scenarios modeled by McKinsey and Oxford Economics estimate that employment for women may not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2024—two full years after the recovery for men. Without significant action, such as additional employer support and training programs, there is a real danger that female labor force participation could face its steepest sustained decline since World War II.

FORTUNE reported that without significant action, such as additional employer support and training programs, there is a real danger that female labor force participation could face its steepest sustained decline since World War II.

Female workforce participation has already dropped to 57%—the lowest level since 1988, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) If my period was regular. My supposed to be boss was a 40-year-old guy. Awkward af. I was 19.

thelostpinay , Edmond Dantès Report

Final score:

134points

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Flopsy 3 years ago

Wtf!? What kind of a question is this?

83points

“Did you grow up in a nuclear family?”

Huh? Lol what does that have to do with my ability to work at a coffee shop?

I didn’t, but I lied and said I did! I ended up getting the job but quit 5 minute after accepting the position because this a-hole turned around and said “oh yea, by the way we only pay $7/hour for the first two weeks THEN you’ll get the $10/hour we agreed upon”. Minimum wage at the time was over $8.

So not only is he a jerk, he’s also a wage thief.

That was a few years ago and I’ve heard a few similar stories from other prospective/ex employees about that place. Apparently he’s some big Trump supporter and borderline fundie, doesn’t surprise me at all.

I still have the email saved in which he blatantly admitted to paying below minimum wage. Maybe I’ll leak it one day or something lol

dream_bean_94 Report

Final score:

126points

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Dave P 3 years ago

or just report to your local labor board and get him shut down so he doesn't do this to others. By keeping this email secret you are enabling him.

35points

"The interview is not one-way, you are assessing if this company is the right fit for you as well. If there are red flags around culture and how the company treats its employees, then you do not have to accept an offer or even continue with an interview process," Carnahan said. Don't worry too much if it doesn't work out. Walking away from a hellhole will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.

However, there are plenty of reasonable job interviews too. Carnahan said a good way to start preparing for them is "reading the job description closely and reflecting on any earlier conversations you had with people at the company. What are those skills and competencies that are most relevant to the role, and how can you make sure to highlight that you have what the company is looking for, not just in the behavioral interview questions you'll be asked later on, but right away as you offer your introduction."

I had a “medical exam” I had to pass. It’s basically a medical history report and they have a section just for women: number of pregnancies, C sections, abortions, last menstruation, last pap smear date and its result. It was invasive and uncomfortable, felt violated by the end of it.

MissAsleep Report

Final score:

123points

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Gin. No tonic 3 years ago

No. of pregnancies: As many as I wanted. C sections: see previous. Abortions: see previous. Last menstruation: last month. Last pap smear: last test date; result: known.

69points

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) “I see an engagement ring, do you want children soon because I advise you to wait at least a year if you get the job. I don’t think it is good to train you only for you to go on maternity leave”. Words spoken by a recruiter, highly illegal. Nothing I could do against him with zero proof.

Laurylizzle , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

122points

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Iso 3 years ago

engagement ring = baby? since when?

39points

#10

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I had someone ask me how much money my husband makes

girl222222 , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:

122points

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Vicky Z 3 years ago

"Not enough so i need more! Other questions?"

61points

#11

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) Why I was married to an Arab/ why did I divorce him/ will he have problem with me working/ will he come bomb the office / ending with I don’t want a single mom with an Arab as ex husband to work for me

I was overqualified, my ex was truly non-violent person, and from well off family. It was all around awfully prejudiced.

It left me enraged. For better tho. I wouldn’t like working there anyways.

AldinaEH , Alex Green Report

Final score:

117points

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Michelle Rutherford 3 years ago

I'm cringing, reading this! 🙈

50points

RosalindFranklinDNA , Anna Shvets Report

#12

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) "Do you have a boyfriend?", "Are you planing on getting pregnant?". In the same interview. It is illegal there to ask but its my word against them.

"As a woman do you think that you will be capable of doing the job?" "Will you be confortable in an all male team?" Another interview.

Final score:

112points

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Nadine Bamberger 3 years ago

Does the job require to work heavy machinery with a penis? Otherwise I think I'll be able to do it as a woman.

83points

#13

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) At 21, interviewing for medical school, this like 80 year old man asks me why I have two addresses listed. When I explained that one was my legal address but I was living with the other parent at the moment (mailing address) because I was working closer to their house. He asked me so many questions about my parents divorce despite me changing the subject several times, like that had anything to do with my ability to be a doctor. Then he asked me ethical questions and was an ass about every answer, telling me get aggressively how wrong my opinions were. I talked to one of the guys that interviewed with him the same day and they had a totally normal conversation based about his resume & application.

If you're wondering if the problem was in fact my application and not my gender, I'm now a physician and through training have been the team member voted to have difficult conversations with families.

MintyFreshHippo , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

110points

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Hugh Cookson 3 years ago

Good for you.

23points

FirstFarmOnTheLeft Report

#14

I was interviewing for a senior role in which I'd be the only woman on the management team. It was an important hire for them, they were investing a lot in it (flying me across the country for multiple interviews, etc.), so I guess they hoped I'd be with them a long time if hired. At the time I was single, no kids, early 30s. So in an effort to avoid hiring me only to have me get married, get knocked up and leave basically they asked things like whether I wanted kids (they already knew I didn't have any) and seemed skeptical when I said no, I don't. Then they asked 'What if you move here and meet a nice farmer who sweeps you off your feet, you get married, want to settle down, stay at home, etc.?' They said 'farmer' jokingly b/c I was moving from a major city to a very rural area.

I actually did take the job, but I was there less than 2 years b/c - surprise, surprise - it wasn't a good fit for me, culturally. On one of my first days the same person who asked me those questions sort of gently advised that all of these traditional older men would probably not appreciate it if I speak up much in meetings lol. I went ahead and spoke up a whole bunch in meetings.

Final score:

110points

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Nadine Bamberger 3 years ago

I hope you shook things up bit there and have a job you're happy with now.

34points

#15

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) How I would feel working in a manufacturing environment that was not temperature controlled. I had just gotten out of the army. An organization that specializes in working in stupid conditions.

fgn15 , RODNAE Productions Report

Final score:

109points

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Anne 3 years ago

Re the pic: it is extremely impolite to stay sat down when you shake hands. Unless you are physically unable to do so.

12points

aduffduff0207 , The Creative Exchange Report

#16

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) "Where else do you have piercings and tattoos? Maybe some that'll go 'sticky outty'?" Motioning to his nipples.

Final score:

97points

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Iso 3 years ago

the word choice... why?

46points

#17

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) Can you cook? Tell me how you’d make this sauce. Tell me the recipe of xyz....

I was interviewing for a software engineer role.

Thankfully I do cook and could tell him but wtf?

rxr92 , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

95points

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Nat Hedley 3 years ago (edited)

This one's fair. It's a common question type in interviews for roles like developer - they want to hear how your brain works through how you structure the instructions, are you mentally organised, do you forget anything etc. If you'd said 'I don't know that recipe' it wouldn't have counted against you. Cooking is probably what they use for all candidates, not just the female ones, because it's common and it's procedural.

52points

Remi Flynne 3 years ago

Why can't they ask this kind of question based on something that relates to the industry they'd be working in though? I'm so used to the questions being based on the job description, person spec and my own experience that this seems very odd to me. I was a database developer. My partner worked in developing international IT Helpdesk support systems and neither of us have had questions that didn't probe using examples appropriate to the sector. Using examples of protocols we'd developed, systems we'd put in place and so forth.

17points

Shelli Aderman 3 years ago

No.

7points

Marnie 3 years ago

It might be common and thus not sexist, but it's absolutely ridiculous. I'm a software developer, and there are far, far better ways to get at what you are saying, with asking development-related questions.

6points

Scott 3 years ago

I've interviewed for very procedural and technical roles and had the exact same question asked. I don't think it's an uncommon question and, in the situation, it made perfect sense. I can, however, see how it may be misconstrued.

4points

Vicky Z 3 years ago

Are we sure it's not a question addressed only to females? Are you telling me they reject male engineers if they don't know how to cook?

4points

Michaelann Dahlman 3 years ago

Thanks for explaining that, it makes a bit of sense now.

0points

Bettie-Jean Neal 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Shelli Aderman 3 years ago

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t applying to work in the staff kitchen.” Is how I’d answer! 🤦🏽‍♀️

11points

Wanda Sochacki-Suridge 2 years ago

Have used this an “Recipe” interview question many times when interviewing applicants for trainee markup language taggers. Explores their ability to dissect a document into parts.

0points

DKS 001 3 years ago

yeah, this one is like being asked how you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They want to know how you go through process and how much detail you include.

0points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

If you answer "no" to cooking, they'll try other things ---- it's about your memory skills and evaluating your confidence at tasks.

-2points

Joey Marlin 3 years ago

I haven't downvoted you but as I explained further up I do think there are better ways of demonstrating this which utilises memory, confidence and process explanation. Getting people to provide their own examples where they can demonstrate these aspects. Putting the onus on the individual gives them a chance to show that they can think on the spot as well. Admittedly my interview training is specifically in Equal Opportunities interviewing where abstract questions wouldn't be allowed. You have to focus on job description, person specification, the application and CV which should cover all of the persons career. Though examples don't have to be work focussed. If someone has developed skill sets from other areas of life that's perfectly valid, but they come up with the examples. Also some people can be bad at explaining but great at doing and anyone skilled in interviewing should be able to draw more information out of these people but abstract questions won't do it.

6points

#18

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) Lots of sneaky questions about when/if I want to start a family, how I plan to dress for the job (including if I planned to wear makeup?), what I would do if a male client hit on me, and my fave: whether or not I identified as a feminist and how I reconcile that with my career choice.

So frustrating.

AquaFajita , Edmond Dantès Report

Final score:

91points

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Donkey boi 3 years ago

How you dress is borderline, I appreciate that a company has an image to project, but I think that in those circumstances the company should contribute of have a uniform.

17points

#19

"Do you have any kids?"

"Your hair is so nice..."- then he reached out to feel my hair

"You speak really good for a Mexican girl"- (I was born in the US)

SMH. This was for a position at a long term care facility. I got offered the job a few days later, but I refused the position.

NOTTHEILLUSION Report

Final score:

83points

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Stephanie Did It 3 years ago

Right off the bat, putting your hands on a job candidate or even an employee screams Get Out NOW.

40points

#20

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I was 23 at the time, the guy asked if my two kids were planned, and if they shared the same father. When I answered yes to the last question he said 'are you sure?' I was so uncomfortable. And other people would justify it when I told them what happened. 'He wants to know what kind of person you are so it's normal for him to ask personal questions.'

lavieestbelleami , Anna Shvets Report

Final score:

83points

POST

Donkey boi 3 years ago

I'm beginning to think that these sorts of questions should be responded to with personal questions. 'Were you 2 kids planned?', 'Before I answer I have a few questions of my own. Were you breast fed as a child? At what age did you start growing body hair? Have you ever inserted a foreign object inside your a**s?'

34points

#21

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) Just interviewed this week at a small town library and was asked if I was actually married because I'm not wearing a wedding band (I had mentioned earlier in the interview that I relocated to the area because my spouse recently started a new job there). I just stared at the woman who asked the question until someone else said "This is an interview. You can't ask that." The same woman asked for my social media handles because she wanted to look me up.

widdershinny , Christina Morillo Report

Final score:

80points

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Vicky Z 3 years ago

Cause everyone has social media?

15points

#22

When I was getting my master's in forensic psych, I went to an interview for an internship with a forensic psychologist who does clinical evaluations for the courts. I was so excited, thought this would be a great fit, did all the paperwork, went in for interview.

He asks me maybe five questions in total, of course starting off with where I go to school, what track I'm in, what other research/clinical experience I have, but then he asks, "If I asked your dad or your boyfriend about you, what would they say? Are you responsible, are you naggy, are you b****y?" and I just completely froze since it was so out of the blue and just said something like, "Uh....well, I hope they wouldn't say any of that??? But also why would you be asking about them?" and he kinda backtracked a little to play it off as a joke. He even had one of his current interns (a guy who I had a few classes with actually and knew tangentially) in the interview and it was just awkward as hell.

I ended up getting an interview with a different internship and they were MUCH more responsive and better fit, so I went with them and got hired by them quick and am still working for them in a senior position! So [screw] that other guy, though I sometimes see his reports come across my desk lol.

kendall_black Report

Final score:

76points

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Nadine Bamberger 3 years ago

Men will never ever be asked if they're bitchy or what their mommy would say about them, it would be considered humiliating.

16points

#23

"Are you married? No? There's a great bar downstairs, do you want to go and finish this interview there?"

exfamilia Report

Final score:

75points

POST

DKS 001 3 years ago

39points

Bakemydaybaby , Karolina Grabowska Report

#24

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) Sitting there with the interviewer and he says " That's a really expensive watch, how did you get it?" I was stunned but answered that it was a gift. Still have the watch, didn't want the job. Another one asked if i really needed my glasses, or was I just wearing them to look smart.

Final score:

73points

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Iso 3 years ago

yeah it's got nothing to do with the fact that i bump into multiple walls when i don't have my glasses

41points

#25

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) “Did your dad pick your major?”

whatrpeople , Sora Shimazaki Report

Final score:

69points

POST

Iso 3 years ago

no, i don't have a dad. any other dumbass questions that i need to answer?

40points

#26

Interviewed for a position at a hospital and when they asked me to tell them about myself I mentioned how I want to become a doctor. The response: “have you ever considered nursing?” Smh

justavirgo Report

Final score:

66points

POST

Stephanie Did It 3 years ago

"No, have you?"

52points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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#27

Not as problematic as most of the others answers on this thread, but still.

I did a bunch of interviews to work as a programmer in the video game industry. This is a very male-dominated field.

Everytime they ended up asking if I played video games, and if I liked it. Some of my males friends were doing interviews at the same time, and they were never asked this question. I had to prove that I was "one of them", and it was somewhat infuriating.

Elystrya Report

Final score:

61points

POST

Laura Würker 3 years ago

One factor could be that some men need an excuse for themselves why women don't like them. They tell themselves that women don't like them because they're nerds, but some are, to put it politely, just not nice. There was also a good movie quote.

12points

Terrible-Bobcat-6766 , Andreea Avramescu Report

#28

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) A lot of sneaky attempts of them trying to find out if I have children and or want them.

Grinds my gears. Its illegal to ask those questions during an interview and I hate how they try to coax it out of you anyway.

One asked me what my husband was thinking about me working. Whole thing was so surreal, it was more funny than upsetting. Did not take their offer tho.

Final score:

57points

POST

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

What my hubby thinks about me working: It's my right.

14points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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#29

In this case, I was actually the interviewer, and I was running my organization's information table at a job fair. I was talking with three students--2 women, 1 man--they were law students in their early/mid 20s, I was a lawyer in my early 30s, so it was a pretty casual conversation. I asked the group "any other questions for me, about the organization or about being a lawyer in general?" and the guys asks "Are you single? Haha, just kidding."

I was honestly so thrown off, I just half-laughed and said "Nope, married and pregnant with my first child." This was a few years ago, but I wish I had had the presence of mind in the moment to say "That's completely inappropriate. You need to leave." If I had, I think he would have learned an important lesson, and I would have set a positive example for the 2 women there. Later in the day, once things slowed down and I had a minute to think, I just threw his resume away...and the next day wished I hadn't because I could also have emailed him that feedback.

Ginger_ish Report

Final score:

57points

POST

Beeps 3 years ago

Maybe karma will make him see this post.

25points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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#30

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) “Can you take a dirty joke?”

flymysi , cottonbro Report

Final score:

52points

POST

Erik Granqvist 3 years ago

The automated response: how do you recognize a CEO/Boss in the shower? By his tiny genitals!

56points

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#31

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I’ve had an interview for the Bundeswehr (German army) and three male generals were sitting in front of me asking me questions. At first they were normal, but then one of them asked me, how I’d handle going oversees. Something like: “who will take care of your children? It’s too much responsibility for your husband!”. I was 17, not married, no children, never want children. To this day I don’t know what the answer was he wanted to hear. A few sentences later one of the other men asks me “if you’d work together with another men who is much older than you and more experienced, but wouldn’t listen to what you’re saying and only cares about his opinion, what would you do to get your will through?”. I remember answering something along the lines of “having a serious one on one conversation with said men, if that didn’t work I’d talk to my supervisor about it”, but none of them were impressed, I also have no idea what else I should’ve said in that moment for them to be the “right” answer.

All in all it was a [bad] interview. Here in Germany soccer is a really male dominant sport and when one of these men read that I play it, they told me to quit so I can focus more on my grades.

0 out of 5 stars, wouldn’t recommend any woman to join the German military.

Jamiem1420 , Jessica Radanavong Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Gin. No tonic 3 years ago

I bet the right answer should've been "My will doesn't matter. Those men are older and more experienced and I would listen to them."

12points

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#32

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) The weirdest:

Would you wear your hair straight? (let me note that I am white so this is not necessarily a racist comment towards me in that regard).

Questions about how I would dress coming to work (sort of relevant given the industry, but it wasn't a client/public-facing role, and there was heavy implication about needing to look "sexy")

Irrelevant and nonsensical questions that have nothing to do with a job (if you were an animal/color which what you be, who would you want to play you in a movie). I suspect the male applicants weren't asked because of the way the questions were asked, and for the roles for which they were asked.

This is in addition to the often mentioned kids/relationship status ones (which by the way are illegal in every country I've ever lived)

phoenixchimera , Kindel Media Report

Final score:

24points

POST

Iso 3 years ago

i'll go to work in a hazmat suit, how's that for "sexy" mfs

9points

#33

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I was asked if I was on any medications. That’s illegal... it was for a nanny job where there were no make applicants. It shocked me. Who the hell asks a possible employee that.

kstev731 , cottonbro Report

Final score:

24points

POST

lenka 3 years ago

Actually it's not illegal in most places as long as it directly relevant to the job. Medications can have an affect on your ability to supervise chidren and drive a vehicle. Both highly relevant to the position. The question should however have been more specific.... "do you take any medications that would affect your ability to [insert job or task description here].

13points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#34

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) “Are you a Christian”

“Yes”

“Oh good! That’s a relief because all of us around here are Christians”.

(This was no Church or Christian company. We were just selling life insurance.)

IDGAF what religion or race or color or spectrum of gender you are. Aren’t we here to do good work regardless of personal beliefs and backgrounds? OMG I was so appalled. I can only imagine if I had said “No” what he would have done! Probably try to convert me...

curiousitykath , Tim Gouw Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Stephanie Did It 3 years ago (edited)

I knew a woman who was hired at a similar 'Christian' business. An engineering firm. The day after she was hired she mentioned that she didn't celebrate Christmas. She was terminated the same day. When she asked why, the HR guy said, "Don't you know?" but refused to answer. Religion was never mentioned so she had no proof. Edit: She worked there as a temp for 3 months and they were so pleased they had offered the job, so no way it was a performance issue.

7points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

#35

8-9 years ago, I was interviewing for positions at 6 different tech startups, all but 1 asked me if I planned to get married or have children in the next 5 years. I eventually went with the only one that didn’t ask, but I have friends who worked for the others, all male. I asked and not a single one of them was asked about their future plans for marriage and children when they interviewed.

Gejduelkekeodjd Report

Final score:

23points

POST

See Also on Bored Panda

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#36

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) What were your high school marks? Noting I had a bachelors degree and it was an entry level role ....

psld19 , Alexander Suhorucov Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Flopsy 3 years ago

My mom was asked this once and she had a PhD and 15 years of experience

11points

suffragette_citizen Report

#37

I'm a small-ish, conventionally attractive woman who works in forestry and farming, and have often been the only woman in my department or facility working with a bunch of blue collar guys.

In pretty much every interview I've had, me being a young woman who isn't ugly has come up. Sometimes in a good way that makes it clear they understand challenges I may face. Learning to work around almost exclusively men can be very difficult, and in some situations your supervisor will need to be prepared to enforce your right to be there. A good supervisor for a woman in that situation understands this, talks about it with her as necessary, and lays down the law.

I've also had it put to me in a very degrading way. Jokes about "what's a pretty girl like you doing applying for work like this." Statements that make it clear that if there are culture problems, they will be my problem. Even just being hit on enough that I had to leave the interview.

Final score:

22points

POST

Mimi M 3 years ago

Meh -I worked in male-dominated industries (painting and construction, and the military) and as a petite and not ugly female, I never had a problem. And I never needed a supervisor to 'enforce my right to be there'.

-3points

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

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College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#38

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) What was my parents' occupation, what was my sisters' occupation, which got super complicated since I come from a broken family and don't have a relationship with my dad. Like wth does it matter what my family does? And this came from a woman so it was really upsetting. And I was already graduated from university at that point so I wasn't even a teenager or anything anymore.

becauseindeed , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:

22points

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Beeps 3 years ago

It depends on the security clearing needed for the position, and there are a lot of companies where these questions are not only completely normal, but in fact mandatory. And yes, I even know someone who didn’t get a certain job because his brother had a criminal record.

10points

#39

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) At an interview for a teaching position at a private organisation I was asked if I thought my tattoos made me a rebel and what my parents and grandparents thought about them. I was 27.

gnarly-nerd , Anthony Shkraba Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Stephanie Did It 3 years ago

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#40

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) “If you had a child, would you let them use cannabis once it is legal in [state I was in]?”

100% guarantee no man who interviewed was asked about his hypothetical children...

Plusqueca , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago

We would smoke together dude

9points

#41

I got a prescreening call and the interviewer said, the interview was in a warehouse ( where shipping containers are kept) to this day, i wonder what would have happened had I just gone for the interview. In my country, that’s a big Red Flag.

chirpychick Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Stephanie IV 3 years ago

Please, explain.

1point

#42

"What does your father do for work?"

divinefavours Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Not A Panda 3 years ago

I had that, I replied that he was most likely currently spinning in his grave generating enough electricity to fire this whole plant and walked out.

5points

Overall_Writer_6648 Report

#43

They were hiring a "graphic designer". The manager (he could be my grandfather) asked if my bf was jealous.

Final score:

20points

POST

Iso 3 years ago

of my job?

7points

CrystalShipSarcasm Report

#44

He asked if I was a freaky masochist because of my tattoos. Obviously meaning got off to pain. BDSM and all that too.

Final score:

20points

POST

Iso 3 years ago

... how-

5points

#45

"how are you affected by sexism in this industry?" and "why arent you working for google since you're a woman?"

Like while i get the sentiment of the first question is to be like relatable or something, it just comes of [freaking] weird. Especially since im applying for entry level positions. They said things like "we arent like most companies, we hire women." The second one was just weird af imo they thought that since google hires a lot of women that id get hired there...

crazyfrecs Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Vicky Z 3 years ago (edited)

So they clearly ask you with the first question: we are sexists do you mind? Personally when i hear "we are not like the others" i want to run!

1point

#46

Women Are Sharing The Strangest Personal Questions They've Been Asked In Job Interviews (30 Comments) I was shown a handgun stored in the open near the cash register and asked if I would be willing to use it. (For what??? To defend the $200 in the till?)

anberia , Brock Wegner Report

Final score:

19points

POST

Uber Mensch 3 years ago

"Only on any (jerk) that grabs my ass!"

13points

#47

At a job that was manual labor:

"What does your husband think about you working in such a rough job?"

At the time I was young, and unmarried, so I just kind of blushed and said that I wasn't married. The interviewer gave me a knowing smile and said "well, i'm sure your career goals will change when you do get married." I didn't get hired there.

Belfette Report

Final score:

19points

POST

Nadine Bamberger 3 years ago

Did he moonlight as a fortune teller? Condescending b******e.

3points

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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Austėja is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Photography.

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What do you think ?

POST

Anna Banana 3 years ago

I had to stop reading after about 10, my blood pressure can't handle this.

26points

J Charbonneau 3 years ago

Same...

4points

Vicky Z 3 years ago

I should have done the same! Many regrets

3points

MimSorensson 2 years ago

Yeah, read with caution. I just realized that myself.

0points

Deborah B 3 years ago

I sort of regard these questions as being useful signals that you don't want to work there. The interview process isn't just for getting hired, it's also "do I want to work with these people five days a week?"

17points

Hans 3 years ago

I believe that all of this will backfire in the end. If you artificially decrease your recruiting pool (which you do with such questions), you in average get less qualified, less motivated staff. Moreover, plenty of studies have shown that diversity increases productivity both directly and indirectly (for example through a better working atmosphere).

9points

Jill Bussey 3 years ago

Although I won't be going for work interviews, I wish I had the kind of money years ago that I didn't need to work. I would have gone for interviews and just straight up told them how bad their attitudes were. I would have enjoyed that!

6points

Moosy Girl 3 years ago

As an ugly woman in IT I’ve never had the “are you married” or “are you planning to have children” questions, but all kinds of variations on the “do you think you could work in a team of all men” or “could you hold your own in a predominantly male environment” type questions... go figure. Come to think of it I’ve never landed any job that had only male interviewers, but did land every single job that had a female interviewer so far.

5points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

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Nikki Sevven 3 years ago

All these same companies: "We can't find anyone to hire!"

4points

bxx 3 years ago

When I was pregnant, early stage but showing, I had just finished university and was desperate for a job. I was told by someone I knew, who was aware I was pregnant, that there was a job opening at the company she worked for and said I should apply. It was a simple desk job which was perfect so I was thrilled. She forwarded me the details of her regional manager who then set me up with an interview with a manager at one of his branches. I really wish I didn't waste my time because as soon as I walked up to the interviewer and shook his hand he looked at me a said "this is going to be a problem" and refused to even start the interview. I left feeling humiliated and burst into tears outside. If a man was expecting a baby he wouldn't have been treated like that. Luckily my lawyer was very happy to deal with pregnancy discrimination cases.

4points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

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Curry on... 3 years ago

A four person panel interviewed me for a community non-profit. Everything seemed to be going well until one asked if I could be counted on to work when scheduled. I said, 'absolutely, barring any serious emergency." Their facial expressions went from sunny to overcast.

3points

My O My 3 years ago

I was asked about wanting kids at 26years old. I lied and said no because I wanted the job (9hours a week as a vet assistant). Was pregnant 3 months later. My boss (a woman with kids and grandkids) was furious, wanted to fire me. In germany you can't do that just like that, mothers to be have lots of rights here. It was dirty. I had to go to the regulatory agency all. Then she wanted me to go back to work just one week after giving birth. Needles to say I didn't

3points

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

That was a nice Mittelfinger to your boss

0points

Iggy 3 years ago

It is illegal here to ask about marital status, pregnancies etc. It should be illegal everywhere.

3points

Debbie Key 3 years ago

Its illegal here, too. Some place still ask.

0points

Sandra Charlot 3 years ago

I was living in France and applying for a job in diffent country ...the boss asked me if I was supervising someone, I told yes 4 person. He asked - 4 real french or just some immigrants? as there are many of them in France ... i was speechless and refused the job.

2points

Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago (edited)

Once in a while I think of the loss of human capital (especially creatively) over the centuries because of girls and women not being given fair opportunities in education and work... It's galling that we're now in the twenty-first century still dealing with issue this all over the world.

2points

.gas. 3 years ago

Here in the USA, it's actually illegal to ask some of these questions. Employers will still try to get around it, by carefully crafting the questions. But you never have to answer. You might not get the job, but if the employer IS dumb enough to actually ask about personal stuff and you happen to record it, you can sue them.

2points

Gin 3 years ago

Illegal in many countries but I suppose some are more strict than others. Thankfully in the interviews I have had no-one ever tried asking anything like the examples in this post but then I only work for companies that have stated they are Equal Opportunities Employers (UK - I work in the third sector aka charity sector). This is a policy designed to ensure that an organisation complies with its equality obligations under anti-discrimination law. They all are supposed to but having a clearly written policy and abiding by it gives them the right to call themselves Equal Opps Employers.

3points

Craig Reynolds 2 years ago

Know your state's laws regarding one-party conversation recording. If your state allows recording of a conversation without the consent of the other party, then do so discreetly using your phone so you have evidence. If consent is required, ask the interviewer if you can record the interview so you can self-evaluate yourself later. If they refuse. you probably don't want that job anyway. If they agree, they might be more cautious and not subject you to inappropriate or illegal questions.

1point

P-Rex Mama 3 years ago

I once had a boss that was obsessed with my husband being a medically retired Marine once he found out about it in my interview (explaining the gap in my resume). The rest of the interview was him asking about our military experience. I really wanted the job and we needed the money so I just put up with it. He also would ask me randomly every month or so if my husband was okay with me working there. I always would tell him that I stopped working to support my family while my husband was a Marine so, it was his turn to support me. He never really could wrap his head around the fact that I was not in fact owned by my husband or that we were not some military obsessed family. Thankfully he sold his company 2 years later to a female who didn't give a sh*t about what my husband thought or did.

1point

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

Things like this make it depressing to know that it will take an excruciatingly long time for this crap to change. It should have been overthrown years ago, but too many people are complete shitheads.

1point

Phil Rubin 3 years ago

I worked for a staffing firm for ten years becoming a expert in labor law. Most of these questions are illegal in the US but employers ask them anyway because there is no enforcement. Even if you record them, you would have to sue them and the cost would not be worth it.

1point

Jigsaw's Puzzle 3 years ago

Now I don't want to get a job when I turn 18.

1point

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

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bonnyatlast 3 years ago

Early 30s interview at a school and passed it, was sent on to be interviewed by the Super who wanted to meet all the new hires. He reminded of the sheriff in Little Whore House in Texas. He actually asked me to stand up and turn around. Then said ol' (principals name) was always hired the pretty ones. Never looked at the top of my class credentials that I had worked so hard on. Later he was caught in an affair with another principal. At another school I was hired at the principal was a bit hands on. He introduced me to the staff by putting his arm around my neck while standing behind me. So his elbow was across my upper chest. Completely unnerved me. They had a wedding shower for him at school and the other teachers gave him sex toys. Not kidding. I would see teachers go into his office and give him back rubs. Door open. Everyone could see walking by. So very weird and inappropriate. I talked to my supervisor at the admin building about it. He was moved up to the admin building.

1point

Tanya MacLeod 3 years ago

Seriously, if you’re in a place that allows one party recording, record your interview. Not only will it help prove ass hats like this to the labor board if this crap happens, but you can use it as a tool yourself to practice how to answer interview questions in the future.

0points

Robin DJW 3 years ago

Before I retired, I was in a position that required me to participate in interviews. We were heavily coached by our HR about what we could not ask, should not ask, and what questions from the candidate might be red flags. And we had to send our interview notes from all candidates to HR, once the position was filled. This should be SOP in every firm.

0points

Virgil Sanders 3 years ago

trying to read this made me tired. it's been a long day... and this did not help. my fault for clicking on the article, i suppose

0points

Mark and Elmo 3 years ago

I hate this... I can never find an article without someone f****** it up for everyone else. Be normal!

0points

Chillace 3 years ago

reminds me of that inst-twitter stuff about that elephant question

0points

POST

Anna Banana 3 years ago

I had to stop reading after about 10, my blood pressure can't handle this.

26points

J Charbonneau 3 years ago

Same...

4points

Vicky Z 3 years ago

I should have done the same! Many regrets

3points

MimSorensson 2 years ago

Yeah, read with caution. I just realized that myself.

0points

Deborah B 3 years ago

17points

Hans 3 years ago

9points

Jill Bussey 3 years ago

6points

Moosy Girl 3 years ago

5points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Nikki Sevven 3 years ago

All these same companies: "We can't find anyone to hire!"

4points

bxx 3 years ago

4points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Curry on... 3 years ago

3points

My O My 3 years ago

3points

ivan bolitekurac 3 years ago

That was a nice Mittelfinger to your boss

0points

Iggy 3 years ago

It is illegal here to ask about marital status, pregnancies etc. It should be illegal everywhere.

3points

Debbie Key 3 years ago

Its illegal here, too. Some place still ask.

0points

Sandra Charlot 3 years ago

2points

Oskar vanZandt 3 years ago (edited)

2points

.gas. 3 years ago

2points

Gin 3 years ago

3points

Craig Reynolds 2 years ago

1point

P-Rex Mama 3 years ago

1point

$copper-fractions avatar$

Tiny Dynamine 3 years ago

1point

Phil Rubin 3 years ago

1point

Jigsaw's Puzzle 3 years ago

Now I don't want to get a job when I turn 18.

1point

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

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