What Color Is Your Parachute 2018 by Richard N. Bolles copy

Conversation Tip #13
Throughout the interview, keep in mind: employers don’t really care
about your past; they only ask about it, in order to try to predict your
future (behavior) with them, if they decide to hire you. They have fears,
of course; don’t we all?
Legally, U.S. employers may only ask you questions that are related to
the requirements and expectations of the job. They cannot ask about such
things as your creed, religion, race, age, sexual orientation, or marital
status. But, any other questions about your past are fair game. And they
will ask them, if they know what they’re doing.
Therefore, during the hiring-interview, before you answer any question
the employer asks you about your past, you should pause to think, “What
fear about the future caused them to ask this question about my past?” and
then address that fear, subtly or directly.
Here are some examples: