Navigating Personal Life Questions in Interviews: How to Respond Professionally and Honestly

Why are personal life questions asked during interviews?

During a job interview, it is common for interviewers to ask personal life questions to get to know the candidate better. These questions are not meant to invade privacy but are asked to assess the candidate's personality, values, and how they may fit within the company culture. Understanding a candidate's personal life can also provide insights into their work-life balance, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. It is essential for candidates to answer these questions honestly and professionally to present a well-rounded view of themselves to the potential employer.

Hi, Personal life questions are asked to learn about your personal background, family commitments, personal priorities, etc. These questions help the interviewer evaluate you as an individual, apart from assessing your technical skill sets.

Dear Banku Bond,

Job interviews are conducted to assess the candidate's personality, their approach towards their career, their suitability for the position, whether they possess the requisite skills and knowledge, and so on. Time is limited, posing a challenge for the interviewer on how to extract maximum information.

Against this backdrop, spending time on personal questions should be minimized. However, much depends on national culture as well. In Western countries and the US, asking personal questions is legally prohibited. Interviewers focus solely on job-related questions. In contrast, the culture in Asian countries differs slightly. While asking personal questions is not prohibited, they should be asked to a point where the candidate does not feel uncomfortable. Questions may revolve around residence, mode of transport, estimated commute time to the office, etc. However, the interviewer should not appear nosy or pry into the candidate's family life.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar