So I'm considering taking a job with a government contractor that requires a poly.  I currently hold a TS clearance, and have failed the poly 8 times in previous government contractor positions. This inability to pass this stupid test has cost me numerous opportunities and potential pay growth.   

I can either stay at my current position that doesn't require a poly, but my future there is uncertain with the contract up for re-bidding in 2-3 months.  Or I can take the job offer for a large pay raise and risk losing my job if I don't pass the poly within some timeframe (yet to be determined).

Even though I've failed 8 times in the past, I was honest about my answers.  The only theory I have on why I fail is because I'm generally a nervous and shy person.  The kind of nervousness one might feel when public speaking is the kind of nervousness I experience sometimes in even more personal social situations.  However I don't feel this type of nervousness during a poly, because to me its just business.  But over time I've started to develop anxiety towards the process with that fear that I will react falsely to the questions.

First off does it seem worth it to even bother given my track record and that its a risk that I take a new job only to be fired in a few months?

Second, are there any ways that someone can relax before taking an examination.  I'm a runner, so if I were to run like 10 miles right before the appointment, would being worn out help calm me out?  What about taking Tylenol PM, or would I be too drowsy to even drive there?

anti- wrote on Sep 1^st, 2010 at 1:01am:


I think I failed the first 3 at one contractor, then got laid off and another contractor picked me up and I failed 5 more times at that contractor before withdrawing from the process because I couldn't take it anymore.

Anyways my security officer told me that there is no longer a limit at the particular agency.  So you can theoretically take a polygraph over and over and they will neither grant nor deny your clearance.