I would not ask in the interview about outside interests, because I think that would be discriminatory, in a way.
So you subscribe to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in re "outside interests"? And anyway, the example I gave was not contingent upon you asking about outside interests. It is very realistic to assume that employees do volunteer personal information about themselves, if not at the time of the interview, then sometime along the way in the hiring process, or after they are hired. But I think you're being less than realistic if you think that employers (including yourself, in the position of employer) don't care about other interests. "Hobbies and other interests" is considered a requirement for resumes, because employers like to know that potential employees have a healthy, well rounded life outside of work. Outside issues and pressures can affect job performance. That's not to say that an interviewer interrogates the prospective employee. From my experience in interviews, the interviewer, near or at the conclusion of the interview, looks at whatever a person has under "hobbies and other interests" on their resume, and says something neutral like "so I see you enjoy sailing". This is an opening for the prospective employee to expand, for instance saying "yes, my husband and I have enjoyed week-end sailing in the such-and-such area for many years".
You sidestepped the question though. You wouldn't say that you would hire me, even if you knew I was a member of the Christian Coalition. Now you know how I feel since you have been hounding me, trying to force me to say, "I would hire a homosexual in my home". I have refused to say that; rather I have given a very similar answer to the one you gave: I would hire anyone who I thought was fit for the job, and who I thought I could absolutely trust and who had a compatible personality; ie no major personality conflicts.
You have not been happy with that answer though, so tell me why I should be satisfied with your answer, which is essentially identical to what I gave? |
