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The Global Insight

How do you answer the interview question about diversity?

Author

James Olson

Updated on April 06, 2026

When asked a question about diversity, discuss your direct experiences with people of different cultures. Refrain from saying you don’t see color. Instead, explain the value of honoring diverse cultures and learning from others. If you are sincere in your answers to diversity questions, your true character will shine.

Can you ask about race in an interview?

You may not ask questions about race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or ancestry. You may not ask in a series of interviews for a given position, questions directed at one sex and not of the other.

Why is it illegal to ask about race in an interview?

Questions you should avoid asking in an interview. Illegal job interview questions solicit information from job candidates that could be used to discriminate against them. Asking questions about a candidate’s age, race, religion, or gender could open a company up to a discrimination lawsuit.

What is diversity in your own words?

Diversity is differences in racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and academic/professional backgrounds. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience.

What is Diversity short answer?

Answer: Diversity means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing their individual differences. These differences can be along the dimensions of race, gender, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing.

What questions should not be asked in an interview?

Bottom line: you cannot ask questions that in any way relate to a candidate’s:

  • Age.
  • Race.
  • Ethnicity.
  • Color.
  • Gender.
  • Sex.
  • Sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Country of origin.

What kind of questions are asked in an interview?

Since Inc. now has a paywall, I decided to re-publish it here so it can be available to anyone interested. While some job interviewers take a fairly unusual approach to interview questions, most job interviews involve an exchange of common interview questions and answers (including some of the most often-asked behavioral interview questions ).

Why are pre-employment questions about race important?

In that way, the employer can capture the information it needs but ensure that it is not used in the selection decision. Unless the information is for such a legitimate purpose, pre-employment questions about race can suggest that race will be used as a basis for making selection decisions.

What should you ask at the end of a job interview?

At the close of the interview, most interviewers ask whether you have any questions about the job or company. If you don’t have any questions, this can make it seem like you are apathetic about the opportunity. It’s always a good idea to have a list of questions ready, and to be prepared to discuss them. What the Interviewer Shouldn’t Ask

Why do they ask diversity question in job interview?

“It’s such a simple question,” Ruffin says, though “as a Black queer woman who’s hiring, I’m always astounded by the responses I get.” Ruffin and Cynova explain that when they ask the diversity question, they’re really trying to gauge whether the candidate has done proper research on the company, its values and how it shows up in their work.