FindLaw's Free Legal Guide to Applying for a Job

By Edward Tan, JD on May 15, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

No one likes the process of applying for a job. There's no real guide on how to find work. The search alone can wear people down and writing cover letters is no picnic. But what about your legal rights?

It's probably not what most people think about when it comes to getting a job. But it should be.

Whether you know it or not, job applicants have rights. And they don't just come after you're hired either, some attach before.

Sound odd? It's actually not that weird when you think about it.

Many are aware that employers generally can't discriminate against workers based on race, national origin, gender, or religion. This was established by the federal government under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under the Act, bosses cannot fire, deny training, discipline, pay less, demote, or otherwise harass employees for the reasons stated earlier.

What some people might not realize is that it also protects job applicants from being discriminated against for the same reasons. Employers generally can't refuse to hire anyone for these bases.

In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act also protects those with disabilities from facing similar discrimination.

Now, you may be wondering, "But what about the interview process, what kind of questions can one be asked?"

Fear not, answers to this question and more can all be found in FindLaw's free legal guide to applying for jobs. It'll also tell you about your rights relating to background checks, criminal records, education, workers' compensation, pre-employment tests, and more. So check it out.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard