6 Ways How To Handle ‘Rude’ Questions In A Job Interview

By Elizabeth Benu
Our expectations at an interview are that we will find an interviewer who is nice and welcoming. This happens and your interview goes well but then a rude question is thrown at you.

What do I mean by a rude question?

Rude questions are those impolite inquiries about something you find personal. This may include questions such as ‘Where do you go to church? Are you planning to get pregnant any time soon? What religion do you practice? Where do you come from? Are you from this tribe? and many more.

These are basically questions that have nothing to do with the job or performance in the job you had applied for.

How do you handle such questions? Do you get mad or remain calm?

Ms Yvonne Abade, a Human Resource Officer at Lutheran World Federation, advices that one should handle impolite inquiries in a polite way and not get angry

“An employer may be looking for whether you can handle any impolite inquiries during your job. They may also want to see how you react to such issues or how you react when you are annoyed. There is really nothing personal about such questions,” Ms Abade explains.

Ms. Abade also says that it is a hiring manager’s way of getting you prepared for anything you may encounter in your job.

“Perhaps the work environment is harsh; such questions may be asked to observe how you can handle yourself in the workplace,” she adds

Is it advisable to laugh at such questions or ignore them?

“No, it isn’t,” Ms Abade states, “if you ignore it portrays a negative picture of you so it is better to answer them.”
It is advisable to answer these questions in a calm and polite manner regardless of what has been posed to you? I question

She opines that, “Tribe and religion may have nothing to do with the job but how you answer such a question will determine whether you get into the organization or not get the job at all.”

Since such questions will inevitably come up in job interviews, Ms Abade confirms that it is important to be prepared before hand and know how to handle such questions.

And what advise does she have for potential job candidates?

“Relax and just answer the question asked. It may be the determinant of whoever is to be chosen for the job. Be keen; as much as you say think it is not job related it may be that one question to get you in. Maybe there are so many people and the employer wants to single out the best fit for the position.”

You may think that interviews do not cross personal lines but they do. Keep your cool and ace the interview.

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