Question: In a recent interview.... although I had provided a résumé , I was given an application form to fill out...it included) the following questions: Date of birth, age, marital, status, number of kids, Social Insurance Number, Health Status, Height and Weight.

I did not answer these questions even though I felt comfortable revealing the information. When my interviewer arrived, I explained that I had not answered them as I was not sure of their relevance.

The interviewer, who was only screening prospective candidates,... explained that she did not make up the questions, but understood my concern. I don't expect that I will be called back for an interview, but I wish I had known how to handle this problem before arriving. I was under the impression that these questions were illegal ...

I was a little surprised because this was at a physician's office and I would have assumed that they would know better. Am I right? Is there someone I should contact about this?

I was also asked my expected salary. I am never comfortable with this question because of fear of asking too much and if you say too little you can lose out. Any suggestions?

Answer: Here's a direct quote from a Ministry of Labour publication: "A job application form cannot ask for any information, even indirectly, about any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination. For example, questions about date of birth, sex, marital status, number of children, disabilities, etc. are not allowed..."

In other words, application forms like these are flotsam from the past. Seldom will you find them in large organizations which tend to be staffed by trained human resources personnel who know today's requirements. Smaller employers, however, are not always as aware or up-to-date.

When encountering forms of this kind, your best approach is to simply not answer the inappropriate questions. And if they are posed during the interview, politely ask about their relevance to the job.

Part of the Human Rights legislation is to educate employers about such issues. Ask your local Human Rights Commission for printed material.

And for information on salary expectations, read on.

Question: How I should address the phrase, "salary expectations" in interviews or when responding to a newspaper ad...I always have a tough time with this...

I never state what my salary expectations are for fear I could be asking for too much or too little. In my covering letters, I usually say: "I hope to learn more about the position being offered and and that time will state my salary expectations."

Answer: Always a delicate issue, salary questions today are more loaded than ever. In some industries, salaries have stagnated or even fallen over the past several years. At the same time, job seekers who've been on the market for a long time are sometimes willing to bargain. Cost conscious employers can be in bargaining mode, as well.

Some employers have established salary ranges for particular jobs; salary negotiations occur within the stated range. Employers without an established salary structure may ask about salary expectations in their quest to find the best value at the lowest price.

Most people respond to salary questions, as you do, in a rather vague way: "May we talk first and then discuss salary?"

Sometimes this response is adequate but it does entail a risk. There are employers and recruiters who find it "evasive and almost arrogant. Honesty is the best policy," says one recruiter."It's difficult for an employer to decide whether to pursue an individual without really knowing what category they fit into. As human beings, we all tend to slot each other, and one of the ways people do it professionally is by salary range."

Of course, the concept of being categorized by salary expectations is the very reason people try to avoid discussing them. Nonetheless, salary questions come up in any search. So, you're wise to find ways to accurately evaluate yourself and your skills and use this information to negotiate maximum value. Here are some tips:

• Research to gain a sense of your relative worth in today's marketplace. Look for salary surveys through occupational or industry associations. Check with Statistics Canada. Placement and recruiting firms specializing in your field may also have information.
• If possible, survey people working in your field. It's rude to ask what people make, so instead ask about typical salary ranges for people with your background at your level of expertise.
• Use information of this kind to define a fair "salary range". Even a $10,000 range is acceptable, recruiters say. For example, if you're hoping to earn about $40,000 a year, discuss your preferred range as $35-$45,000.