I took a polygraph recently for a Fall unpaid internship with the FBI.  I had to venture about 300 miles and 4 hours to get to it. I had all of the things I've read on here happen.  I was accused of trying to use counter measures; criticized for my breathing; asked if I was under the influence of alcohol during the test.  I was all over the place apparently.  I got my name wrong, the day of the week, everything. I must have done the same 7 questions, about 4 times, so basically, I had answer them 28 times, over and over. 

He took off the metal finger sensors twice and had me wipe my hand on my pants twice, finally, he put some rubbery green sticker sensors.

I had to alter my breathing during the exam, causing distress in my body.  During the exam, he raised the pressure of the BP cuff from his chair.  I could feel it get tighter.  Then the last round of questions, the cuff was real tight, not tight as in to hurt me but you could really feel the squeeze.

Then I was accused of having felonies, I answered that i did not and whatever I had told him and the other interviewing agent was all that I had done. I did not even get to the part about espionage.  When I did not have any information to give I was told that it was over and that they wouldn't waste anymore resources on me.  No background check or anything.  The next day I receive a call from an investigator who is going to conduct my BI.  An acquaintance of mine said that even though you flunk, pass, or whatever, they conduct the BI.

He told me he had not heard anything to cancel the BI so he'd just go through it.  I gave him references and talked to him.  He seemed ok.  Last I heard of him was for a question he had about someone I was living with.   

Recently, I received a call to reschudle my poly, but nearer to my location. I had a prior engagement so I was unable to schedule for that time.  I was told then it would probably be next month then and about 4 hours away again, I told her to let me know.  Apparently, it is to be with the same polygrapher or his superior.  During my exam, he would frequently pace around the room and would leave to the next office to seek counsel from his superior as to whether to fail me or give me a inconclusive, but the man was not there

The thing is, I may be moving in another direction and I may get a paying job.  I don't really feel like going through the poly experience again.  The consensus here is to not take the poly.  I am thinking I should bow out of the process altogether.    

Are my instincts correct?

Dear Intern applicant,

I would agree with George about just saying no to another polygraph.  The FBI has a distinct history of trying to "prove they were right" with 2nd polygraphs.  It will end up just being a sham trying to persuade you into signing a document confirming something that they can disqualify you with.  This just confirms the "value" and "validity" of the polygraph so they can get a feather in their cap.

The odds of passing a second polygraph are extremely low with the FBI.

I would not recommend the FBI to family or friends strictly based on the insane confidence that the FBI places in the polygraph during their application process.

Regards.

Samoset wrote on Jul 14^th, 2009 at 11:38pm:


I find the experiences on here absolutely incredible.  I can't believe this is happening in the 21st Century!  The entire hiring process is geared to benefit the FBI.  As for the individual, it is intrusive, time consuming, expensive and worst of all, degrading (I meant dehumanizing).  My assessment since going through this process is that it is simply not worth it.  I think this system is designed to take accomplished lyers and sociopaths and exclude the honest people.