Berks & Beyond Blog

You probably know that Facebook is a great tool for keeping in touch with friends.  But did you know it’s also a great business tool?  Used properly, this social networking sight can help you market your products, connect with current and potential customers, and enhance your business image.

 
If you want to use FB as part of your marketing/media strategy, but are unsure just how to get started, you’ll appreciate this quick article I found onWebWorkerDaily.com about using Facebook to enhance your business.
Already have a Facebook account?  Check out what Berks & Beyond is doing on Facebook - you can even become a fan.

10 Interview Questions to Avoid

Imagine this: a young female candidate comes in for an interview, wearing an engagement ring.

Imagine this: an obese gentleman arrives to interview for a physically demanding job.

What are the first thoughts that pop into your head?

When you’re interviewing, you can’t always control your thoughts. But you absolutely must control the words that come out of your mouth.

Interviewing is tricky. On the one hand, you want to ask probing questions that will uncover shortcomings in a prospective employee. On the other hand, if those questions cross the line, you can get yourself – and your company – into serious trouble.

So what should you avoid? Here are 10 questions you should never ask in an interview, and why:

1. Do you have any health conditions? Under the ADA, a bona fide medical examination can explore legitimate interests of the employer such as safety or job qualification, but only after a conditional offer of employment has been extended. You may ask if the applicant is able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, but only after you thoroughly describe the job requirements.
2. How much do you weigh? Besides being rude, issues of weight and height are irrelevant, unless minimum standards must be met to safely perform the job.
3. Can you work on Sunday? Religious discrimination is illegal, and questions that can be construed as related to a person’s religion must be avoided.
4. Is that your maiden name? (Translation: are you married?) Any and all questions related to marital status are illegal and set you up for a potential lawsuit for gender discrimination.
5. What are your plans for children? Do you have any kids? Again, questions such as these can be interpreted as a form of gender discrimination. If you have concerns about an individual’s ability to work long hours, travel, or relocate, try this instead: What percentage of the time are you willing to travel? Or, our work frequently requires starting very early. Are you able to comply with this requirement?
6. How old are you? According to the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, it is illegal to ask the age or age range of the applicant. It is also illegal to request a birth certificate prior to hire.
7. Have you ever sued anyone? A candidate’s legal history is not relevant in evaluating fitness for future employment.
8. May I have a copy of your military records? While it is okay to ask if an individual has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as his/her branch and rank, it is illegal to ask for copies of military records or discharge status.
9. How many times have you been arrested? This question is illegal. However, it is permissible to ask if the person has ever been convicted of (insert crime here) if the crime in question is reasonably related to the performance of the available job.
10. Can I take your picture? Due to the potential for race or gender discrimination, you may take a person’s picture for identification purposes or your corporate website only after that person is hired.

Want to further reduce your interviewing liability? Call the hiring experts at Berks and Beyond Staffing. We can handle all aspects of recruiting and interviewing for you – saving you time and money, while ensuring you stay compliant.