C) TIPS ON HOW TO RESPOND TO ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS. ========================================================== First and foremost, avoid reacting in a hostile fashion – remember that you can always decide later to decline job offer. Your goal during interview is to try and get job offer.

Response 1: ----------- Go ahead and answer question. If you don’t feel uncomfortable and you think your answer is in your favor, why worry? Go ahead and answer question and make no mention that you think its improper or illegal. Just remember that you run risk of harming your candidacy if you give an answer not favorable to what interviewer has in mind.

Response 2: ----------- Refuse to answer question. You are within your rights but in a delicate and sensitive area with regards to potential job offer. You can say politely that you don’t feel comfortable answering question and ask to move on. You may even want to mention to interviewer that question is illegal and doesn’t pertain to job. The key here is to be as tactful as possible. But keep in mind, you may come across as confrontational or not a “team player” in eyes of interviewer.

Generally speaking, its better not to confront or debate interviewer about legality of a question. But if you have any uncertainty about questions, you should be alert to any pattern of discrimination…especially if you notice several illegal questions. Try and remember questions and speak employer’s HR director and get answers to what may have happened.

Sincerely, Nathan Newberger, Managing Editor http://www.WorkTree.com "Helping You Find More Jobs Faster"

6. PASSIVE VERBS – Passive verbs like is, am, was, and were simply exist. Action verbs run, jump, excite, and motivate.

7. BORE FACTOR – Some research says average adult attention span is only eight seconds. So it’s important to make your points convincingly, and end your paper powerfully.

8. WEAK ENDING – Exit your report like an experienced stage performer…leave your audience wanting more. Two ways to do this: (a) use a famous quote to reinforce your conclusion, or (b) give details showing reader where to get more information on subject. (Examples: your phone, fax, e-mail, etc.)

RIX QUINN wrote the book "Words That Stick," which offers quick writing tips for people who hate to write. (The book's available at your local bookstore, or Amazon.com.)