Thanks Fair....hopefully they will see the light and change their hiring practices to include a more dependable and reliable means of hiring candidates.

Dear Ronniewb66,

The FBI is not the elite organization that it pretends to be.  They are more concerned about their image than about seeing the truth in the mirror.  They seem to care more about their appearance than the substance of who they are and what they should be doing for the country.

I am sorry that you were forced to go through a gauntlet just because you wanted to serve the country.  There has to be a more civil way to do things.

Regards.

Polyfool, thanks for your thoughts and this website....

ronniewb66,

Once some time has passed you will gain even more perspective on the situation at hand. A 22k pay cut and 3 states away from you kids? Count yourself lucky. In the long run, you'll be happier you stayed close to your kids--they grow up fast and you can never go back. 

I understand exactly how you feel. I admitted more to my examiner than I was probably willing to admit to myself. It's tough trusting someone enough to be that honest only to be called a liar and have your integrity questioned. That's what's truly sick about the whole FBI polygraph process--it weeds out the most honest--those with consciences who feel guilt about minor things.  It's pathetic  when an agency expects its applicants to lie or withhold information to pass a so-called test that doesn't work. This, despite that fact that applicants are told throughout the entire process not to withhold ANY information. What they don't tell you is that the exception is the polygraph. 

Another thing, your polygraph examiner probably couldn't have posed the question in the manner you would have liked. There are specific guidelines about how questions must be asked--there's not much leeway--that requires too much creativity. Examiners save that for their little stories and lies, but even a lot of those are the same from examiner to examiner--probably found in textbooks or perhaps, the agency holds workshops where examiners sit around and make up drug scenarios to tell their examinees. 

Besides, even if the examiner has changed the question, you most likely would have not passed because polygraphs are so unreliable, especially when utilized during the pre-employment process. 

Best of luck to you. Over time, I'm sure you will come to the conclusion that your "failure" truly is a blessing in disguise.

Yes Polyfool, thats what I though too, regading the letter.  I meant to ask the examiner if she could ask the drug question in a manner something like this..."Other than driving your friend to buy 2 joints 23 years ago, are you in compliance with the drug policy?"......if the question was asked like that, I wouldnt have reacted to it.  Or is that type of question too specific?

You know what is the most aggravating about this whole ordeal is that I've told the truth about everything in my past, to total strangers, wanting to get a job to help them, and my country, and on one stupid question, my conscience caused a reaction, to something I took part in OVER 23 YEARS AGO, yet because of that I"m unfit for employment.  I was a JAG Officer for 20 years in the military with several clearances.  I have not committed any crimes here, only drove a friend to sell a couple of joints when I was in high school.   

But now I realize that failing this poly may be a blessing in disguise.  I would have had to take a job for $22,000 less per year, and live 3 states away from my kids.  But hey, thats life.  Best of luck to everyone else.

ronniewb66,

Although your post doesn't mention which agency polygraphed you, I assume it's the FBI based on your experience--so predictable. Anyway, your examiner will include your statement with your poly report and/or notes. In fact, it will become a permanent part of your record--supplemental form. The examiner and HQ will determine whether new information was uncovered during the so-called exam--did you withhold info. or were you upfront from the beginning? Either way, you will never pass an FBI poly after failing one which is what your examiner meant by telling you that you were having "trouble with the drug question." 

Since your first exam was INC and you failed the second, you may be offered a re-test, but don't expect to pass--no one ever does--it's all a set-up to make the agency appear to offer candidates a fair appeals process. After failing a second FBI poly, you will never be allowed to work for the agency and will receive  a letter stating that "no further avenues exist" for you to obtain employment there.

Sorry to offer discouraging news, but that is the reality of the FBI employment process. The agency uses an unfair system utilizing a so-called test that doesn't work to choose its workers at taxpayers' expense. Very disappointing, I know, to learn how ignorant, foolish and truly behind the times the agency actually is.

Expect to receive your letter, ALL applicants must pass the poly to process FBI applications. Your failure stops yours cold. Expect your letter. You can appeal the results and may qualify for a retest, but again, as I said it's a total waste of time, unless of course, you don't want to give up that easily and want to put the agency through a  little extra trouble. 

Good luck to you in your future professional pursuits.      

Anyone ever get hired after writing a letter to HQ? Last week I took my 2nd poly for a FLE job.  I took a poly in Oct and that one was inconclusive due to the drug question.  I came back last week and retook the poly...after the 2nd poly, again, the examiner again told me I had a reaction to the drug selling question.  I told her I drove a friend to sell a few joints to one of his friends in 1981, and because I did that, felt guilty and reacted to the question. She said to write a statement as to why I reacted to the question, and she would send that statement and her results to HQ. Someone at HQ would read my statement and the results and would then make a decision in 2 weeks.  So I wrote the statement to includes dates and other details. Even though I reacted to the poly again, and wrote "why" on the statement, From what I've read on this site, that is basically the kiss of death...when you react to a question and write "why" on the statement.   

Has anyone experienced this before?  If you wrote a statement, did you get hired?  I'm awaiting my "not within acceptable parameters" letter.  Thanks.