Interview Considerations

Questions that may or may not be addressed during interviews
Type Allowed Prohibited
Name Name Inquiry into any title which indicates protected class status.
Address

Inquiry into place and length at current address

 Inquiry into any foreign addresses which indicate national origin.
Age Faculty / Staff - None
  1. Requiring birth certificate or baptismal record before hiring
  2. Any inquiry which may reveal the date of high school graduation
  3. Any other inquiry which may reveal an applicant’s age
Birthplace, National Origin, or Ancestry None
  1. Any inquiry into place of birth
  2. Any inquiry into place of birth of parents, grandparents or spouse
  3. Any other inquiry into national origin or ancestry
Race or Color None Any inquiry which would indicate race or color.
Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or expression None
  1. Any inquiry which would indicate gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation
  2. Any inquiry made of members of one gender, but not the other
Height and Weight Inquiry as to ability to perform actual job requirements Being a certain height or weight will not be considered to be a job requirement unless the employer can show that no employee with the ineligible height or weight could do the work.
Citizenship

1. Are you authorized to work in the United States on a faultier and indefinite basis? (Persons authorized to work in the U.S. on an indefinite basis include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders), asylees and refugees. Persons not authorized to work in the U.S. on an indefinite basis include F-1, J-1/2, H-1B/4, L-1/2 nonimmigrants, among others.) 

2. If you are not authorized to work in the United States on a faultier and indefinite basis, please provide your current immigration status. 

3. Will you need to be sponsored for a (temporary or permanent) work visa by Miami University - either now or in the future - to work for Miami University in the United States?

May be asked only if asked of all applicants.
  1. Are you a U.S. Citizen? If not, are you authorized to work permanently in the U.S.?
  2. Do you have 'unlimited' work authorization?
  3. Are you one of the following: U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, temporary resident, asylee, refugee?
  4. What is your visa status for work authorization?
Disability Inquiries necessary to determine applicant’s ability to perform essential functions of job with or without reasonable accommodations.
  1. Any inquiry into past or current medical conditions
  2. Any inquiry into Worker’s Compensation or similar claims
  3. Any inquiry that would indicate an applicant’s specific or type of disability
Religion - Creed None
  1. Any inquiry which would indicate or identify religious denomination or custom
  2. Applicant may not be told any religious identity or preference of the employer
  3. Request pastor’s recommendation or reference
Photograph

May be required after hiring for identification

 Require photograph before hiring.
Personal None Inquiry or discussion about marital status, number and age of children, pregnancy, child care arrangements or maternity plans.
Arrests and Convictions

Inquires into convictions of specific felonies related to qualifications for the
job applied for.

 Any inquiry which would reveal arrests without convictions or convictions unrelated to job duties.
Education

A. Inquiry into nature and extent of academic, professional or vocational training.

B. Inquiry into language skills,
such as reading and writing of foreign languages, if job related.
  1. Any inquiry which would reveal the nationality or religious affiliation of a school
  2. Inquiry as to what native language is or how foreign language ability was acquired
Relatives

Inquiry into name, relationship and address of person to be notified in case of emergency.

 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 protected class status of its members.		 Inquiry into every club organization where membership is held.
Military Service Require military discharge certificate after being hired.
  1. Inquiry into military service in armed service.
  2. Request military service records.
  3. Inquiry into type of discharge.
Work Schedules Inquiry into willingness or ability to work required work schedule. Any inquiry into willingness or ability to work any particular religious holidays.
Miscellaneous Any questions required to reveal qualifications for the job applied for. Any non-job-related inquiry which may elicit or attempts to elicit any information concerning protected class status of an applicant for employment or membership.
References General personal and work references which do not reveal the race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, age or ancestry of the applicant. Request references specifically from clergy or any other persons who might reflect the protected class status of the applicant.

*Revised annually by the OEEO. Last revision date: April 2021

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the OEEO at OEEO@miamioh.edu or 513-529-7157

Source information:

 For more resources regarding interviews, please visit the Scheduling Interviews webpage through the Department of Human Resources.