Lawrence University Career Center To Go

Through the Career Center's partnership with Honor Roll Online you have access to InterviewStream.com, a web-based practice interviewing service that allows you to see and hear yourself online through an interview system managed by the Career Center. Registration is free with your Honor Roll Online account. (Contact the Career Center at x6561 for registration assistance.) Once registered, you can use the Career Center's webcam, or your own, to begin preparing for your interviews.

Related Videos:
InterviewStream.com Demonstration Video

Related Career Center Links:
Interviewing Techniques

What are unethical interview questions?
Interviews are stressful enough already without worrying about whether or not the interviewer is doing something he or she is not supposed to be doing. However, there are certain interview questions that are considered unethical, because they are designed to gain information about an applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, birthplace, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. Any question asked for the purpose of discriminating against an applicant is considered unethical.

How can I recognize if a question is unethical?
The best way to recognize an unethical interview question is to ask yourself, "Is this information relevant to the job or position?" If it is not, then be careful. It may help to make a list, ahead of time, of the possible unethical questions that might come up, so you will be prepared to recognize them and deal with them in the way you best see fit.

What are some examples of unethical interview questions?
1. How old are you?
2. What is your maiden name?
3. Are you a U.S. citizen?
4. Do you have any children? Do you plan to have children?
5. Do you have any physical disabilities or handicaps?
6. Does your religion prevent you from working during certain times of the year?

How do I handle an unethical interview question?
When confronted with an unethical interview questions, you have some options:
1. You can refuse to answer the question. This may or may not affect the interviewer's hiring decision, but you will have stood up for your rights
2. You can swallow your pride (and privacy) and answer the question. You might feel like your privacy has been violated, but at least you are still in the running
3. You could ask a response question. You might, if asked about your marital status, say, "I am not quite sure of the reason for that question. Is it because you are afraid that I might not be able to carry out all my duties?" This puts the responsibility back on the interviewer, at the same time informing him or her that you are aware of the unethical nature of the question.
4. You can address the real concern of the interviewer. Most of the time, unethical interview questions are a result of a genuine concern on the part of the interviewer (e.g., how long you plan to continue working at the company). It is possible to address this legitimate concern while ignoring the exact, unethically phrased, question. For example, when asked about whether you plan to have children, you might say, "I plan to pursue a career, regardless of whether I decide to raise a family."

How can I prepare for unethical interview questions?
Deciding on what questions are unethical and how you should go about dealing with them can be tough, especially when you are in the middle of an interview. It helps to be aware of these issues beforehand and sort out for yourself exactly how you want to approach them. Here are some tips you can use in preparing for an interview:
1. Make a list of sensitive questions you may be asked
2. Decide how much information you are comfortable releasing and where your boundaries are
3. Determine which of the approaches listed above you feel most comfortable using
4. Practice, practice, practice! Remember, the Career Center is here to help with "practice" or "mock" interviews, which will help you become more comfortable with this sometimes stressful process. The Career Center, through our partnership with Honor Roll Online, is now using Interview Stream to help students with practice interviewing. Additionally, we have several books on interviewing available at the Career Center, most of which have chapters on illegal or unethical interview questions.

Sources
Career Center page on unethical interviewing
Landy, Sylvia. Ditch the Flip Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College. Winnettka, IL: Keystone Three LLC, 2007.

Related Career Center links and resources
Career Center page on unethical interviewing
Landy, Sylvia. Ditch the Flip Flops: Ace Your Job Interview Fresh Out of College. Winnettka, IL: Keystone Three LLC, 2007.
Medley, Anthony H. Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed. New York: Warner Business Books, 2005.
Yate, Martin. Knock 'Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Seekers' Handbook. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1998.

My name is Jessica Bonsall, and I work in the Career Center as a Career Assistant. One of the most interesting parts of my job is the practice interview. After seeing first hand what works, and what doesn't, I have compiled some tips on how to impress an interviewer:

1. When researching a company before an interview, go beyond the typical internet search. It is important to look at all the information you can find online, but also try to seek out other places you can find information, such as in business journals or employer files at the Career Center. It is more likely that you will know information that other candidates do not if you venture away from the internet.

2. Prepare good questions to ask during the question and answer session at the end of the interview. Good questions reveal your interest in the organization. They let the employer know that you want to make sure you will fit with the company before making any commitments. Good questions are often specific to the company and may ask about employee training procedures, the existing employee dynamics within the company, policies they have for dealing with clients, how much input beginning employees have, or if the company provides any opportunities for furthering your education. Questions to avoid would be those dealing with salary or promotions.

3. Watch your body language. Avoiding eye contact, weak handshakes, and nervous gestures are easy to spot and make you look insecure. Presenting yourself as confident and prepared is especially important when you are interviewing for a job where you will need communication and interpersonal skills. Coming to the Career Center for a taped practice interview is a good way to spot problematic body language. It is also helpful to practice in front of a mirror before an interview so that you can see what you will look like to the employer.

Many people worry about job interviews, feeling anxious about saying "the right thing" and impressing the employer. One of the best ways to overcome these feelings is to practice! Did you know that you can schedule a practice interview with a Career Center staff member? Practice interviews allow you to "test" answers to common interview questions. By rehearsing what you want to say during an interview and reviewing the main points you hope to get across, you will feel more calm and in control of your interview with a potential employer. Practice interviews at the Career Center can be videotaped, so you can see yourself the same way you will be viewed by an interviewer(s). You and a Career Center staff member will review your videotaped interview together, and you will receive feedback and suggstions on how to improve. Whether you are applying for a full-time position, an internship or part-time work, a videotaped practice interview can help you best present your skills and accomplishments. To schedule a practice interview, call the Career Center at x6561 (920-832-6561).

For more information on interviewing, check out the Career Center's interview information online!

Many would argue that body modification (tattoos, piercings and the like), has become part of mainstream western society. But how acceptable is body modification within the world of work?

In 2004, Costco Wholesalers fired an employee for refusing to remove her eyebrow piercing. Costco maintains through their dress policy, "our goal is to be dressed professionally at all times...No visible facial or tongue jewelry (earrings permitted)." Upon dismissal, the employee, a member of the Church of Body Modification, sued Costco for religious discrimination. Later that year, the 1st Circuit upheld Costco's dress policy and found that Costco had made reasonable accommodation by allowing the employee to cover her piercing with a band aid or wear a clear plastic retainer, (which Cloutier refused). See: Cloutier v. Costco.

On the flip side, a recent entry to CollegeRecruiter.com's Blog referenced a presentation by Camille Sautner of Universum Communications that showed how many Millenial students and entry level job seekers consider themselves to be diverse, (and therefore more desireable), candidates because of their body modification.

Our advice? Generally, we encourage students to cover up tattoos and remove piercings for interviews. Often, body modifications are not, in and of themselves, the problem. In fact, anything that might detract from your qualifications should be avoided - including perfume or cologne, wrinkled or stained clothing, or even over-zealous gesturing. You want to be noticed and recognized for your abilities and strengths, therefore anything that might distract an employer from these should be set aside. If you feel strongly about displaying your tattoos or piercings, be aware that you may be overlooked for positions. As you research potential employers, it may be useful to ask questions about the organization's dress code, and specifically their views on tattoos or piercings; answers to these questions may also help you make some decisions about whether or not you want to work for the organization.

Some industries, such as banking and finance, may be more strict about hiding visible body modifications. However, professional positions in which you would have little to no external client interaction may be more flexible. For example, dress policies may be more relaxed for some IT positions.

You can still be true to yourself by letting your hard-earned qualifications, skills and experiences do most of the talking.

(More About Koi Fish Tattoos)

The Career Center is hosting an interviewing workshop on Tuesday, April 3 at 4:30p.m. in the Career Center.

This program can help you prepare for those upcoming interviews for full time jobs, part time jobs , summer jobs, grad school and internships.