What info should one never reveal during a job interview?

Q. A few months ago, I attended a job interview. Although I didn’t get the job, the hiring manager was kind enough to let me know why I didn’t get it. Apparently, it was because I had revealed to the panel that I am pregnant. I would appreciate it if you discussed the things one should never reveal during a job interview to avoid discrimination during selection.

Potential recruitment biases abound, and it is therefore difficult to list every element that could bring about discrimination. Some biases are obvious while others are highly nuanced and could be based on countless aspects including race, gender, religion, ethnicity, physiognomy, schooling, physique, accent, demeanor, parentage, or even the way one holds a stare. The results of a recruitment process can however be enhanced by a commitment to anchor selection decisions on the competencies required for a role.

At a time when the topic of gender parity has increasingly been ventilated, it is disgraceful that organisations would discriminate candidates on the basis of maternity. While the organisation in question took the view that you are not the right candidate, the truth is that the organisation is not the right one for you. The notion that an expectant woman will deprive an organisation productivity for a few months is short-sighted. The ideas and inspiration that transform a business, change the face of an industry, solidify people’s resolve to win or make a defining difference to a nation do not come labelled M or F. Employers need to understand the implications of maternity discrimination while noting that it is against employment law.  

Although it is not possible to altogether escape bias during interviews, do not express opinions on emotive topics such as religion, politics, ethnicity and perhaps certain football clubs. Be especially careful when sharing personal interests that others may find eccentric.

Declaring fondness for cold-blooded pets, flaunting culinary interest in invertebrates that others may find peculiar or betraying a voyeuristic ancestry is also not advisable.

It is possible to balance giving honest responses with confining the information you provide during interviews to aspects that pertain to the role in question.