I've been recruited by a certain agency for an analyst position.  When this first happened, I was ecstatic.  I busted my butt taking their exams, preparing my writing samples, writing a separate cover letter, etc.  I've scheduled my ploygraph and am currently counting the days till I sit in the hot seat.

Being inquisitive in nature, the moment I had my interview for the position and realized that even intern positions require the poly, I began searching the web for information on it.  I didn't want to know how to "cheat" it, I just want to know what it was all about.

Then I found this site.  And proceded to flip out.

Let me first say that I have never done any illegal drugs (a fact that I am quite proud of), have never stolen more than a paperclip from any employer, have no 'foreign interests,' have never taken files from a computer that wasn't mine or otherwise attempted to hack a computer system, have no debt, etc.

In other words, I'm so clean I squeak.  To the point that my more 'rebellious' (/normal) grad school colleagues derive pleasure from poking fun at me.

I am, however, very nervous about this.  Despite being squeaky clean, I have the guilt of a Catholic about the tiniest of things.

On to my questions:

The pre-poly interview: I've gathered that this is where they give you all the questions they are going to ask you once hooked up to the truth-box.  Is this where the interviewee should qualify as much as possible about each question in an attempt to remove any sort of ambiguity fromt he questions?  For example: Have you ever stolen from an employer?  And qualify with questions like, "do ink pens count, does a paper clip count, etc?"  To the point that when they attach you to that box, you can make a "no" statement without a shadow of a doubt in your head?

Or is it better to just gloss over the question list without qualifying/clarifying any question?  Is the clarification of a question during the pre-poly interview considered an "admission?"

When the poly turns confrontational, as they so often do, I am to continuously deny everything, correct?  But...if they almost always turn confrontational with the polygrapher (falsely or truly) detecting a response from the nervous system, then why do they even probe further?  If you're screwed for "racking your brain and admitting ANYTHING you may think of that has cause the 'deceptive reading'," then why doesn't the polygrapher terminate the poly immediately and dismiss the individual as deceptive and not suitable for employment the moment a "deceptive" response is registered?  Why the game?  A "fail" is still a "fail," and the polygrapher still gets a gold star next to their name.

Lastly, and slightly off the topic, I'm quite interested in the psychology of these guys.  How on earth do they go home to any family (spouse, kids, etc) knowing that they've been jerks (keeping the language clean for the board) in their job.  Knowing that they've turned down honest, truthful people who are top notch academics in a manner that is confrontational and belligerent?  This blows my mind.  

Sorry for the rant, but if I could get any answers to any of the above questions (particularly from George or TM), that'd be great!

Quote:


There are some fundamental facts about the polygraph you have yet to grasp:

1.  It is NOT a test for truth.  It is an interrogation DISGUISED as a test for truth.  The nervous responses the machine measures do not unequivocally equate to "deception".  Even though they will try to convince you they do.

2.  The whole purpose of a preemployment polygraph (and terminal objective of the examiner) is to see what they can get you to say and admit to! Then see if you say anything they can use against you.  The purpose of any interrogation is to get information from the interrogated.

3.  They want you to believe the machine detects deception, and to therefore rack your brain to come up with why you would possibly "react" to the test questions.  But if you answered these unambiguous questions truthfully, yet the machine has labeled you "deceptive", then logically, it the machine that is problematic, NOT YOU!  Yet people (myself included) have fallen for this parlor trick!  Partly because people tend to believe the popular myth that the polygraph machine can detect lies.  They've see it in the movies, on Oprah, from Dr, Phil...etc.  They exploit that fact fully.  You don't have to.

You sound like the nervous type (like me).  Don't be.  Just play along with them, but knowing full well what they are up to.  Don't think for a minute they are there to help you, or care whether you get th job or not.  Just let them "fluster" you a bit, but don't give them anything useful.  Your only obligation is to answer the relevant questions TRUTHFULLY! 

Think of it terms of you walking on to their used car lot.  Except you, unlike most, now know something about their sales tactics.  But you don't want to "let on" that you know.  Just focus on the facts.  The car you want, what you know it is worth, and how much you're willing to pay, or should pay.  

With the polygraph this equates to the relevant questions.  Have you committed serious crimes?  Have you met with foreign agents?  Have you?  Pretty unambiguous, no?  Consider their machine and their bogus claims what it is "saying" as "sales hype".  Listen politely, do NOT be confrontational, but re-focus on the facts.  Namely, that there is simply nothing bothering you about whatever relevant question they claim you're reacting to.

If the polygraph operator has consistent "reactions" on your chart with a relevant question, they will probe and probe until they get something they can use from you to back up the chart and fail you. 

 Then again, you may not "react" much at all, and be able to satisfy their curiosity without making a damning admission.   So be forewarned, but don't go in there assuming you will do badly.

TC

These positions are all about TRUST.  My best recommendation is to be prepared to confess something about you so they feel you trust them, so they can in turn trust you.   

Would you trust a guy with secrets if he isn't willing to share his secrets with you?

I consider the experience a trust building experience.  Guys here who failed feel like these agencies owe them something or as if they don't have to meet their demands.  Their arrogance it what makes them fail.  I wouldn't trust half these guys on here either.

A common thread you will find with guys who passed vs guys who failed:

1.)  Guys who passed told EVERYTHING about themselves, all their white lies and confessed everything.

2)  Guys who failed probably did tell the truth, but didn't feel the polygrapher was entitled to some information and therefore withheld information.   

Again, you can see therein lies the trust issue.  Which person would you trust?

This is just my opinion.

I understand what you are saying completely, but as I see it, you are seeking access to their classified or "Top Secret" information.. its not like they are forcing you to have access to that information.   

Therefore, trust has to be built in the individual seeking that access FIRST.  Then, they will trust you with that information.   

I'm not a polygraph examiner, but I'm very good at reading people and discerning situations.  I've taken a number of polys and I can tell you the entire point of the polygraph in my experience is to build trust in someone so they can in turn trust you.  Pre-employment ones are typically the most difficult polys people will face.   

But to address your main point, if they feel that you are lying to them, why shouldn't they lie to you?  If they feel you are withholding detail, why shouldn't they withhold detail?  That will make anyone wonder... "well what else could he be hiding?"  You see no one knows who is telling the truth when you two walk into those rooms.  It's all a guessing game.  But honestly, I've found that being as honest and thorough in your response is the best way. Even telling them things they may not care about hearing.  Let them know that you have nothing to hide and no details to withhold.   

I mean some of you people are seeking access to the most classified information in the world... what do you expect?  Of course they want to know every little detail about you.  As you will in turn know a lot of new things about them.