However, the law in many countries restricts what you can ask or cannot ask candidates at job interviews. Established practice and common decency also dictate how you should conduct a job interview. The purpose of these laws restricting some areas of inquiry is to prevent discrimination, so that every human being gets a fair chance of being recognized for true worth and contribution rather than on grounds of skin colour, ethnicity, gender or age etc.

Though the majority of interviewees are genuinely interested in getting the jobs they apply for, a small number of dishonest people purposely plan misusing the interview system by finding out what is illegal, going for interviews and then suing the company for discrimination when the interviewer has asked the wrong questions. Corporate HR interviewing policy usually learns to take account of these unfortunate malpractices after some expensive litigation.

Though they vary from country to country, some overall guidelines could be given. Some of these restricted areas of inquiry at job interviews are:

• Nationality
• Birthplace
• Ethnicity or race
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Marital status
• Health conditions and physical disabilities

The following list of questions gives only some very broad guidelines. You should always check with your company's HR department or with someone who really knows to see if your state or locality, or even your company, has additional restrictions on what you may not ask.

1. Where were you born?

   This question might seem like innocent small talk, but it could also be used to gather information about the candidate's national origin. You should ask whether a candidate is authorized to work in the country, but avoid asking about citizenship. But some jobs are restricted to nationals of that country so you need to ask that question with proof of such citizenship.

2. What is your native language?

   You can ask whether the person speaks a language required for carrying out the job. For example, if job responsibilities include supporting French-speaking customers, it's fair to ask whether the candidate speaks French fluently.
   
   Race or ethnicity is an irrelevant factor affecting the employee's capacity to do the job though there might be some exceptional cases relating to employment in roles that require involvement with particular ethnicities or nationalities. Many employers are aware that discrimination on the basis of race is unlawful so they try to go around by asking questions like “Is that a Jewish name? But enquiries into the ethnicity of candidates are illegal in many countries.

3. Are you a lesbian? Are you married?

   This question is off limits at job interviews as the information gained can be used as a basis for discrimination. Achieving the balance between work and private life is considered the individual's own affair and does not concern the employer.

4. Do you have children?

   This might sound like an innocent question in most setting, but in a job interview it is illegal. There are general prohibitions about discrimination over parental status, so avoid asking this question.

5. Do you plan to get pregnant?

   This information is insulting, private and also can be used as a basis for discrimination so it should never be asked.

6. How old are you?

   Age discrimination is illegal, and you should avoid asking this question. Usually people write their age on their CVs. It's equally ridiculous to ask a senior level applicant with decades of job experience “Are you sure you are over 18 years old?&rdquo

7. Do you observe Ramadan or Yom Kippur?

   You can't discriminate candidates on the basis of religion, so this question is illegal. If you're concerned about the candidate's availability during certain times of the year, you could ask whether he or she can work on holidays and weekends. But you cannot ask about the observance of particular religious holidays, as this question is discriminatory.

8. Do you have a disability or chronic illness?

   This information is illegal as a factor in recruitment, so the question is illegal. If the job requires some specific physical skills, such as installing cables in high places or standing for most of the day, you may ask whether the person could perform those tasks in those particular circumstances.

9. Are you in the National Guard or liable for conscription?

   It's illegal to discriminate against someone because he or she belongs to the National Guard or is liable to conscription.

10. Do you smoke or use alcohol?

    Almost all jobs forbid drinking being under the influence of alcohol while on the job but consuming alcohol on free time is a private affair. Smoking is also forbidden indoors in many countries. Though people can be fired for drinking or being under the influence of alcohol or other narcotics while on work, and spontaneous tests can be conducted at the workplace, asking about these can be problematic. So make sure what is allowed or not in your country or state.

Most of the articles on the Internet on the topic of what is legal or illegal in job interviews focus on the USA. As legislation and established practices differ in different countries, please make sure of local conditions before designing your own job interview questions.

Positive programming leads to prosperity:

Notice where in your thoughts and in your life there is a sense of lack or never enough, and notice if there are events, situations, or people in your life that perpetuate this way of being for you. Choose to let go of lack situations.

Each time a lack consciousness thought comes up for you (such as--I'm not doing enough, I don't make enough money, etc.), realize that this is simply a thought in your brain, or emotion in your body, and not reality, and that holding on to this thought is only perpetuating the lack situation.

You can just as easily then replace this thought process with an opposite and positive one (such as--I am creative and resourceful, and always successfully take care of myself, I manage my money wisely and accumulate wealth in new and unexpected ways).

Even if you don't feel like you believe in the positive affirmation, keep repeating it day after day, because the subconscious mind is taking note and shifting your awareness towards this new paradigm.

We are our thoughts-literally! Remember, where focus goes, energy grows.

The power of the mind far exceeds what we comprehend, and science is making breakthrough discoveries about our brain and the way it works, and how powerful we are as human beings.

Our thoughts have the power to manifest our reality and the way the world appears to us. We create a reality that agrees with our conditioned thought patterns, and, once we are present to this process, we can choose to change what we manifest at any time.

Notice how wealth for one person is easily attainable, and perhaps not for another (even if past experiences have dictated such results, in the present a new future and consequently up-coming past can be created). There is a difference in the way one person perceives the world compared to the other.

You are free to choose which way you will pick, and then give yourself permission to take powerful action and succeed in your life.

We need to first create prosperity within us for it to manifest in the physical world.

Our life is a reflection of what is going on internally, like it or not. Chaotic thinking leads to a highly controlled or else chaotic lifestyle ('two sides of the same coin'). A balanced, meditative approach to life coming from inner peace and authentic self-expression leads to a prosperous and abundant lifestyle.

With deepening awareness and a path of personal growth comes the opportunity to be present to our capabilities and fundamental desires, and to take action in what matters most for us at each moment in our lives.

We need to be present and grounded for the Universe to support our deepest desires and assist us in our life's foremost creation and passion.

There are many techniques for becoming grounded, relaxed, trusting of ourselves, and in the present moment in our bodies, which also lead to building energy within to sustain growing wealth and expansion in our lives.

Remember, ultimately the Universe is synonymous with infinite abundance, and we have been created perfect and whole, a part of the abundance present everywhere.

Being in a state of lack does not do anybody or the Universe any good. We are here to share and lead by example by being a shining light!

A great place to start is by celebrating all of our successes and by expressing gratitude at every possible moment for being alive. This will bring more prosperous energy our way.