Interview Considerations and Best Practices
Wright State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information in employment, admission, treatment, or access to its programs or activities.
To assist with recruiting and retaining the best-qualified faculty and staff in a manner that supports Wright State’s mission and complies with federal and state non-discrimination laws and regulations, Human Resources EEO provides interview considerations. Please contact the HR EEO staff with any questions or concerns.
Please note the following:
- Interview questions should be job-related.
- These guidelines apply to anyone who has contact with candidates and any decision-making authority or input.
- If a candidate voluntarily discloses information that is not recommended to ask, individuals involved in the interview process should not ask any follow-up questions regarding that voluntarily disclosed information.
- If a candidate voluntarily discloses information that is not recommended to ask to some members of the search committee, but not others, those who received the information should not share it with anyone else involved in the process of making decisions regarding the search.
- Any information that a candidate voluntarily discloses, that is not recommended to ask, should not be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding the search.
- If a candidate informs anyone involved in the search process that they may need accommodation for a disability in order to participate in any part of the search process, please provide that candidate with the contact information for HR EEO. Additionally, if a candidate informs you or anyone else involved in the search/hiring process that they may need a reasonable accommodation for a disability upon being hired, please direct them to the HR EEO staff at 937-775-3207 or oei@wright.edu.
Printer-friendly version (PDF)
Topic |
Acceptable |
Not Recommended |
---|---|---|
Name |
Name |
Inquiry into any title which indicates race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of the applicant |
Address |
Inquiry into place of and length at current address |
Inquiry into any previous address(es) |
Age |
None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR) |
Any inquiry regarding age (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR), including the following:
|
Birthplace, National Origin or Ancestry |
None |
Any inquiry regarding birthplace, national origin and ancestry, including the following:
|
Race, Ethnicity or Color |
None |
Any inquiry which would indicate race, ethnicity and/or color |
Sex |
None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR) |
Any inquiry which would indicate sex (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR) |
Gender, Gender Expression and/or Gender Identity |
None |
Any inquiry which would indicate gender, gender expression and/or gender identity |
Sexual Orientation |
None |
Any inquiry which would indicate sexual orientation |
Height and/or Weight |
None (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR) |
Any inquiry which would indicate height or weight (unless a bona fide occupational requirement, which must be approved by HR) |
Religion and/or Creed |
None |
Any inquiry regarding religion and/or creed, including the following: Any inquiry which would indicate or identify religious denomination or custom or creed. |
Disability |
Inquiries necessary to determine individual’s ability to perform the essential functions of a position with or without a reasonable accommodation |
|
Citizenship |
“Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?” (This may only be asked if it is asked of all applicants.) |
|
Family Status |
None |
Inquiry or discussion about marital status, number and age of children, pregnancy, child care arrangements, or maternity plans. |
Arrest and Convictions |
None |
This is covered by university-required background checks. |
Education |
· Inquiry into nature and extent of academic, professional or vocational training · Inquiry into language skills, such as reading and writing of foreign languages, if job related |
|
Relatives |
None |
Any inquiry about a relative which would be unlawful if made about the applicant |
Organizations |
Inquiry into membership in professional organizations and offices held, excluding any organization, the name or character of which indicates the race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of its members |
Inquiry into every club or organization where membership is held |
Military Service |
Human Resources may require military discharge verification after being hired
|
|
Work Schedule |
Inquiry into willingness or ability to work required work schedule |
Any inquiry into willingness or ability to work any particular religious holidays |
Miscellaneous |
Questions required to reveal qualifications for the job applied for |
Non-job related inquiry which may elicit or attempts to elicit any information concerning race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of an applicant for employment |
References |
General personal and work references which do not reveal a protected class status including the race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, national origin, disability, age or ancestry of the applicant |
Request references specifically from clergy or any other persons who might reflect race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, military status, veteran status, or ancestry of the applicant |