Interview Question

Boofle

Is is ok to ask someone in an interview if they own their own house or rent?

MrTsSnickers

Is it relevant to the post? Are you interviewer/ee? Either way I'm gonna say it's not okay.

Delancey

It begs the question as to why should anyone ask ? I fail to see any relevance.
There perhaps exists a risk that potentially it could be claimed such a question indicated a mindset of discrimination on the basis of Family Status ? Just throwing that one out there I guess...........

Mrs OBumble

It may be taken as an indicator of lots of things, that may count for or against you. For example, stability, ability to move to somewhere closer to the job, willingness to set a goal and save for it.

Apart from the possible link to family status (and it's pretty hard to be sure), then I cannot see any reason why someone should not ask.

Boofle

Thanks for the responses.

I was the interviewee - one of the interviewers asked me this question; almost the first thing I was asked! I don't think it has any relevance to the position; I live a ten minute walk from their premises. I responded that I rent my apartment and he then asked how long I was living there; felt slightly uncomfortable at this stage but I told him the length I was living there.

Also one of the other interviewers asked me had I any "constraints or commitments" - I kind of got the feeling they were trying to find out about my family situtation; whether I had children etc. Perhaps I'm being paranoid but I just felt slightly uncomfortable with the questions!

Graciefacey

Boofle wrote: »

Thanks for the responses.

I was the interviewee - one of the interviewers asked me this question; almost the first thing I was asked! I don't think it has any relevance to the position; I live a ten minute walk from their premises. I responded that I rent my apartment and he then asked how long I was living there; felt slightly uncomfortable at this stage but I told him the length I was living there.

Also one of the other interviewers asked me had I any "constraints or commitments" - I kind of got the feeling they were trying to find out about my family situtation; whether I had children etc. Perhaps I'm being paranoid but I just felt slightly uncomfortable with the questions!

In America, interview questions as to family status (which may reveal sexual orientation), home country, religion, etc are illegal but not the case here. Everybody I know that has had an interview lately including myself has been asked the 'flight risk' question as they are afraid of handing out contracts only for qualified people to up and leave a few months later. Perhaps they asked about renting versus owning to establish your commitment, ie if renting its easier to up and leave!

Sala

Boofle wrote: »

Thanks for the responses.

I was the interviewee - one of the interviewers asked me this question; almost the first thing I was asked! I don't think it has any relevance to the position; I live a ten minute walk from their premises. I responded that I rent my apartment and he then asked how long I was living there; felt slightly uncomfortable at this stage but I told him the length I was living there.

Also one of the other interviewers asked me had I any "constraints or commitments" - I kind of got the feeling they were trying to find out about my family situtation; whether I had children etc. Perhaps I'm being paranoid but I just felt slightly uncomfortable with the questions!

It could possibly be to determine if you are likely to emigrate or if you are here for the long haul, which would be positive if that means they want a long-term employee. However, the "constraints and commitments" question is very dodgy in my opinion. I would have just said no, as in in I have no constraints or commitments that would prevent me excelling at this position.
I know a couple of people, women aged mid- late 20s, who were actively discriminated against in job interviews recently (UK positions-asked about their relationship status, told they don't want anyone going on maternity leave - she was not even pregnant!)- I think when jobs are so scarce gender discrimination and discrimination on family status is becoming more apparent.

Was it a job that required travel? If so, while they won't ask about family status, it could be a way of saying are you able to and happy to travel.

Boofle

Sala wrote: »

It could possibly be to determine if you are likely to emigrate or if you are here for the long haul, which would be positive if that means they want a long-term employee. However, the "constraints and commitments" question is very dodgy in my opinion. I would have just said no, as in in I have no constraints or commitments that would prevent me excelling at this position.
I know a couple of people, women aged mid- late 20s, who were actively discriminated against in job interviews recently (UK positions-asked about their relationship status, told they don't want anyone going on maternity leave - she was not even pregnant!)- I think when jobs are so scarce gender discrimination and discrimination on family status is becoming more apparent.

Was it a job that required travel? If so, while they won't ask about family status, it could be a way of saying are you able to and happy to travel.

The job would not require travel. It's interesting what you said about women in their mid to late 20's being discriminated against as I am in that bracket myself! They certainly do not want seem to want the possiblity of maternity leave, childcare issues etc!

Right now I think it is such an employer's market and having done many interviews they seem to think they can ask you anything at all. Another interview I attended recently consisted of the interviewer basically sitting down with my CV, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head and saying "Right, there was 180 applications for this position; you made it to the final 8 . . .so sell yourself.' :eek:

Irish_Elect_Eng

Boofle wrote: »

Right now I think it is such an employer's market and having done many interviews they seem to think they can ask you anything at all. Another interview I attended recently consisted of the interviewer basically sitting down with my CV, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head and saying "Right, there was 180 applications for this position; you made it to the final 8 . . .so sell yourself.' :eek:

This is a pretty standard interview question tbh.

It is a great question to be asked as it is very open and a golden opportunity to differentiate yourself from the other candidates. It is particularly valuable if the interviewer has been asking a lot of closed questions at the interview.

On the OPs original question, this is also a common question, usually asked if the interview is going fairly well and an offer is being considered. Ability to relocate can be a concern, if the person is living far away or if the candidate is considered a flight risk in some cases.

Wishbone Ash

Boofle wrote: »

It's interesting what you said about women in their mid to late 20's being discriminated against as I am in that bracket myself!

We seem to be at the other extreme where some of our interview candidates are visibly pregnant but do a good interview and are successful. It drives some of the other managers nuts when we start someone and they make the declaration a few weeks later!

Mrs OBumble

Sala wrote: »

are you able to and happy to travel.

Ironically, an explicit question about that is totally legal.

Basically the employer is saying "The job requires X. I just want to make sure you able to make whatever arrangements you need to, in order to do the job". They don't care if it's childcare, petcare, eldercare, plant-watering ....