Dear Anonymous,

You are between a rock and a hard place.  Just as the polygraph examiner is trying to interpret your state of mind by looking at your body language, hearing your voice inflections as well as delivery, and content of your answers, you must try and interpret the examiner's attitude towards you.  You should be able to tell within a few minutes if you are getting a "fair chance" or getting railroaded.  If you believe you are getting railroaded, file a letter of appeal and state why (but factually) your session was not performed without bias.   You will have to remember specific items during the exam.  Do not embellish or exagerate but be specific and detailed.  The power is in your hands to if nothing else, make them go on the defensive if you were falsely found "not within acceptable parameters."   

A written request is quite powerful if properly worded and addressed to the right individual.  In most cases, this is not your congressman or senator, a letter to them is almost a kiss of death because the agency is embaressed and will only try and cover their dirty laundry with a clean sheet.  Only if your request is not answered after a few months should you start bringing in your public officials.  At this point, getting the job is moot compared to regaining your reputation and anything goes as this becomes a dogfight.  Remember, it is normally not the size of the dog that determines the winner but the will to fight against overwhelming odds with no retreat.   Motivation is the key to winning.  Protecting your reputation should be motivation enough.

Regards.

I've heard horror stories about the sex questions.  A friend who failed a LEP in Ohio said they talked more about sex and drugs than anything else.  I can understand the drugs, but why do they want such details about one's sex life?  I can even understand questions about cheating and extra-marital affairs, but why the specific details of how you have sex with your wife or girlfriend?  Thanks,

beanadmir wrote on Dec 27^th, 2003 at 5:54pm:


Beanadmir,

For what it's worth, the questions I was asked at my 3 police officer recruit polygraph exams (pre-test) were directed towards illegal sex activity, such as: 

As an adult, have you ever ever had sex with a minor?
Have you ever paid for the services of a prostitute?
Do you own any pictures of naked children (kiddie porn)?

and just when I thought I'd heard everything.........

Have you ever had sex with a dead person?

I swear to God, they asked me this.  I just sat there with my mouth open in disbelief.   

They never asked me any sexual questions about how I have sex with my wife, mistress, girlfriend, etc.  The examiners I dealt with were all very professional and businesslike when conducting the interview.   

Regards,
Kona