Final answer:
The question relates to appropriate conduct during a job interview and the importance of understanding which questions are legally protected. An illegal interview question is related to one's birth state, as it may imply discrimination based on national origin. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their skills and qualifications and can politely decline answering questions they find inappropriate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about whether it's acceptable to ask, "How does this information relate to my employment here?" when faced with an inappropriate question during a job interview, pertains to legal interview practices in the hiring process. According to the EEOC, there are certain characteristics that are legally protected, meaning they cannot be used as factors in determining a candidate's eligibility for a job. These include questions about race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, among others.
In the context of the given multiple-choice question number 5, the illegal question to ask in a job interview in the United States would be option 'b', which is, "Which state were you born in?" This question could be considered as trying to elicit information about a candidate's national origin, which is a protected characteristic. Instead, employers are encouraged to focus on questions that relate to the candidate's skills and qualifications for the position, such as "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" or "Can you tell me about a typical day/month on the job?"
Remember, as a candidate, if you feel uncomfortable with a question, it is acceptable to politely decline to answer and if you suspect discrimination, you may contact the EEOC. Moreover, asking your own questions about the role, career path, and challenges in the field is seen as a way to demonstrate interest and a willingness to learn and develop professionally.