Essentials of Business Communication 8th Edition by Mary Ellen Guffey

Exercise 14

Although some questions are considered inappropriate and potentially illegal by the government, many interviewers ask them anyway-whether intentionally or unknowingly. Being prepared is important.
Your Task. Assume you are being interviewed at one of the top companies on your list of potential employers. The interviewing committee consists of a human resources manager and the supervising manager of the department where you would work. At various times during the interview, the supervising manager asks questions that make you feel uncomfortable. For example, he asks whether you are married. You know this question is inappropriate, but you see no harm in answering it. Then, however, he asks how old you are. Because you started college early and graduated in three and a half years, you are worried that you may not be considered mature enough for this position. However, you have most of the other qualifications required, and you are convinced you could succeed on the job. How should you answer this question?