My friend Chris Russell over at Secrets of the Job Hunt reported on a recent study by global HR consulting firm Development Dimensions International and Monster that examined the most inappropriate questions job seekers have been asked during an interview.  The study coordinators divided the most popular responses into several categories, including:

Illegal and Inappropriate

• "Would you join a church to get a job?"
• "Are you single? Why not?"
• "Why are you not yet married?"

Offensive and Outrageous

• "Would you be available from time to time to watch my children?"
• "Are you willing to further this interview over dinner and do you mind me bringing my daughter along?"
• "Would you be willing to stay overnight with a client if they request it?"

Overly Personal

• “Do you intend to have children?"
• "Are you happy in your relationship?"
• "Is that your natural hair color?"

Bizarre and Irrelevant

• "Who is your favorite Beatle?"
• "What would you do if I gave you an elephant?"
• "What is your perception of the painting in our lobby?"
  

“This should be a wake-up call for companies who think that their interviewers are always behaving appropriately with candidates,” says Scott Erker, DDI's Senior Vice President of Selection Solutions. “The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides professional guidelines regarding specific questions that hiring managers shouldn't ask, including questions about race, religion, marital status, and age.”

So considering the potential legal landmines, what’s the best way to conduct an interview?  "Focus on their previous experiences and how they relate to the job at hand. You can find out how they deal with customers, how they work in a team and their management or work style by asking for specific examples from previous jobs," Erker says. "You'll learn a lot about them from their past behavior and experiences."