TRAPS:
Much more frequent than the Illegal Question (see Question #55) is the secret
illegal question. It's secret because it's asked only in the
interviewer's mind. Since it's not even expressed to you, you have no way
to respond to it, and it can therefore be most damaging.
Example:
You're physically challenged or a single mother returning to your professional
career, or over 50, or a member of an ethnic minority, or fit any of a dozen
other categories that do not strictly conform to the majority in a given
company.
Your
interviewer wonders, "Is this person really able to handle the
job?"..."Is he or she a 'good fit' at a place like ours?"...Will
the chemistry ever be right with someone like this?" But the interviewer
never raises such questions because they're illegal. So what can you do?
BEST
ANSWER: Remember that just because the interviewer doesn't ask an illegal
question doesn't mean he doesn't have it. More than likely, he is going
to come up with his own answer. So you might as well help him out.
How?
Well, you obviously can't respond to an illegal question he hasn't even asked.
This may well offend him. And there's always the chance he wasn't
even concerned about the issue until you brought it up, and only then begins to
wonder.
So
you can't address "secret" illegal question...But what you can do is
make sure there's enough counterbalancing information to more than reassure him
that there's no problem in the area he may be doubtful about. For example,
let's say you're a sales rep who had polio as a child and you need a cane to
walk. You know your condition has never impeded your performance, yet
you're concerned that your interviewer may secretly be wondering about your
stamina or ability to travel. Well, make sure that you hit these
abilities very hard, leaving no doubt about your capacity to handle them well.
So,
too, if you're in any way different from what passes for "normal." Make
sure, without in any way seeming defensive about yourself that you mention
strengths, accomplishments, preferences and affiliations that strongly
counterbalance any unspoken concern your interviewer may have.
