What characteristics are illegal to favor or discourage in job advertisements and interviews?

• A. Experience, education
• B. Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetics
• C. Salary
• D. Geography

Answer: (B)

In recruitment, it’s illegal to favor or discourage candidates based on protected characteristics in job ads or interviews. The list of protected traits—race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetics—are protected by anti-discrimination laws (such as Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and related statutes). This means language in advertisements or questions in interviews that express a preference for or against someone because of any of these attributes is not allowed. For example, statements like “young applicants preferred” or “no applicants with disabilities” would be inappropriate and unlawful. By contrast, salary and geography are not protected characteristics; they relate to job-related factors or logistics. They can be addressed in hiring decisions, provided there’s no discriminatory intent or effect that targets protected groups, and they should be handled fairly and transparently.