Can I Ask in a Job Interview If Someone Will Relocate?
Hiring a new employee is an expensive endeavor. After devoting hours to finding the right candidate, you could squander that time by asking illegal or impermissible questions, which could expose you or your company to legal liability. In general, a candidate's willingness to relocate is a permissible question, but you exercise care in framing the inquiry.
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Illegal Interview Questions
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All interview questions must relate to the job at hand; they cannot be asked for an illegal purpose, such as to discriminate against a candidate because of race, age, ethnicity or other personal characteristic. Certain questions relating to family may have a bearing on the applicant's willingness to relocate. However, not all questions are permissible. For example, you cannot ask if an applicant is married, has children, is pregnant or is expecting to be pregnant.
Willingness to Relocate
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If the job involves travel or if there is a prospect of relocation, be direct and ask the candidate whether she is willing to relocate if necessary. A direct question does not directly involve any illegal or impermissible topics. For example, a person may not be willing to relocate if his wife has a steady job in the area. You cannot ask him if he is married to discern his ties to the community. You can, however, ask if he would be willing to relocate if the demands of the position require it.
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Related Questions
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You may want to know what restrictions, if any, the applicant has regarding matters related to relocation, such as travel. Family commitments, such as raising children, could hinder an applicant's ability to travel or to meet work deadlines. While you cannot ask about a candidate's children, you can ask direct questions, such as "Do you anticipate any problems or concerns with having to travel on a regular basis?"
Other Issues
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Deal with all applicants in a uniform fashion. If you ask if one applicant is willing to relocate or travel, you should ask every applicant the same question. If you are unsure as to whether or not an interview question is legal, consult your human resources staff or seek the assistance of an attorney.
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