How to Handle Inappropriate Interview Questions

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I went through a massively in-dept interview yesterday for a job that pays awfully, I came out of it feeling totally violated and extremely uncomfortable about the whole situation.
Is it right for an interviewer to ask you to write down everything that I had brought from a chemist in the last 12 months and also what the doctor had prescribed for me in the last 12 months? They also asked wanted to know what my family thought about this job...what they have to do with it i do now know. They wanted to know if any of my family were ex military and if so what they did etc etc. It was only when I came out that I realised just how improper all this was.
I do not get how all this was relevant to the post itself, There were many more questions like this during the interview and I wonder how they get away with it? And is there anything i can do about it?

Lpire 7:04AM November 02, 2010

I got kids questions all the time, and most of interviewers get really shocket if I point out that this is illeagal to ask
(http://commoninterview.com/index.php?category=Illegal Interview Questions)
So, my strategy now is to answer different question ignoring the original one, so
if one would ask "Do you plan on having kids?" I answer, something like "I am very job oriented person and I love things I do at work, I belive you will be highly statisfied with my professinal abilities". Most make interesting faces, but didn't go back to the original question... Exactly what I need.

Working Mom of WA 7:07PM January 30, 2010

How about dealing with an interviewer at a government agency who, in so many words, tells you that you are very attractive---while the co-interviewer's eyes nearly come out of their sockets? Good times.

Jberry of MD 4:14PM December 22, 2009

I was asked about my step-sons in an interview I had a while back, and for a moment I was stopped cold -- up till then the interview had gone very well -- then I realized the employee who had recommended me for the job had mentioned my family, since he and I knew each other socially.
I figured then it wasn't such a big deal and talked about them briefly, and we moved on to other topics. I got the job. No problem.

Alex Beamish 3:44PM December 22, 2009

When I was just out of college (ahem...the early 80's, a less enlightened age) a friend went on an interview for an administrative position. She felt the interview was going very well. Then, the interviewer asked, "Can I look in your purse?"
In response to her shocked expression, he explained that he finds that to be the best indicator of how organized a woman is. She lost her composure for a minute, she was taken so by surprise, but wound up handing it over. He fingered through it, muttered something, thanked her and handed it back. She didn't wind up getting the job -- not due to a messy purse she was sure, since she had just cleaned it out. Nothing I've ever heard since then has struck me as a weirder question than that one.

Linda R. of CA 8:23AM December 22, 2009

I would go with a light-hearted answer like, "well how much time do you have? Because I could go on all day about my kids, but I'm sure you'd like tol hear more about me." It sort of dodges the question while showing that while you're a loving parent, you can also focus on work.

SEMChick of NC 8:12AM December 22, 2009

I really would go light-hearted, with something like, "well how much time do you have? Because I could go on and on about my kids, but I'm sure you'd rather find out more about me." It sort of dodges the question while letting the interviewer know that while you're a loving parent, you can easily focus just on work. :-)

J of NC 8:08AM December 22, 2009

I was the one who asked the question. Thanks for answering it!
In hindsight I really think the interviewer was just trying to make small talk. The question through me for a loop and I was concerned my answer sounded unprofessional. The good news is that I got the job!

Kathryn 6:41PM December 21, 2009