You may be one of the job seekers hoping to land a role this new year.
If you’ve successfully dodged “ghost jobs” and managed to get an interview for a legitimate remote role, congratulations!
Still, there are specific interview questions that you need to be wary about.
We’ve curated a list to help you out as well as how to respond.
“Are You Married?”
Potential employers who ask this question often try to gauge your plans.
They want to know the extent of your commitment to the company if you do decide to get married.
Still, this is quite a direct question that can catch you off guard.
How to answer this question: “I’m not quite ready to discuss this, but I’m very interested in career growth opportunities within the company. Could you please tell me more about this?”
As always, pivot the conversation towards the role and other aspects you’re curious about.
“Do You Have Any Children?”
This question might go hand in hand with the previous one.
It can be especially tricky for those who have just gotten married. (Watch out for the follow-up question, which is often “When do you plan on having kids?”)
While the hiring manager might have good intentions, this question can feel awkward and invasive.
How to answer: If you currently do not have kids but plan to have them in the future, you can say something like, “Yes, I plan on having kids, but I’d like to keep this conversation more about my professional skills.”
“Do You Believe in God?”
Interview questions about religion are another slippery slope.
After all, such queries can affect how the interviewer perceives you. It might even hurt your chances of getting the job.
How to answer: You can choose not to disclose your religious affiliation. However, should you choose to tell your employer, you can parry back with, “Are you perhaps asking about which religious holidays I observe?”
You can then follow up with, “I assure you that I’d be able to work on the schedule required for this position regardless.”
“What Was Your Salary At Your Last Job?”
Any potential employer would discuss your salary expectations upfront.
However, you might encounter some interview questions about your previous salary.
You can approach this question in different ways, but generally, tread carefully.
Make sure you didn’t sign any clause that states you can’t reveal your previous earnings (called a salary ban) should you choose to reveal a specific amount, however.
How to answer: “I’m unable to disclose my previous salary. However, my salary expectation for this position is (state the amount).”
You can also say, “My previous employer was pretty strict about giving out exact figures. As such, I’m unable to share my previous salary.”
“Do You Have Any Outstanding Debt?”
You don’t have to answer this question because your financial situation is nobody’s business but yours.
Only rarely can it affect your job performance. Plus, such questions can lead to you facing discrimination for getting the role.
How to answer: To respond, you can say, “I’m not quite comfortable with sharing details on this matter, but I’m more interested in the career advancement opportunities of the company. Could you please share more about that?”
“Do You Drink Often?”
As an adult, you have the right to drink, of course.
It is another form of socialization with your peers, after all.
When asked this question during a job interview, you can either be truthful (if you’re comfortable enough) or you can politely decline and pivot the conversation again towards the role.
How to answer: “I’m quite interested to know how this relates to the role. Could you please share more?”
“How Did You Get That Abnormality?”
Lastly, you might come across interview questions about physical disabilities.
Such queries are understandable to an extent because companies might be concerned about whether or not you can do the job despite such.
Further, if your company offers health insurance as a benefit, they might view your physical disabilities as a liability.
However, this question is not appropriate if your potential employer is trying to gauge how often you might take sick leave.
This is why remote work is advantageous to most PWD workers because it lets them join the workforce without leaving the house.
Further, most clients don’t care about your disabilities (if you choose to let them know) as long as you get the job done.
How to answer: “I believe that I’m capable of the job and that I have all the necessary skills.”
Final Word
If you get these interview questions during an important job interview, don’t panic.
Remember, you can always respectfully decline. However, never forget to steer the conversation back to the role and how you are the right fit for it.
On that note, if you’re looking to work online for the new year, head on to Remote Staff’s job listings. It’s regularly updated and has several roles in multiple industries.
Remote Staff has also been around for 16 years (and counting)! The company is currently expanding to the US. So, remote workers who prefer the night shift are most welcome to apply.
Want to kickstart your remote working journey? Register today!
