I do not want to say with which agency but suffice to say I have been a contractor for several years. I initially passed the FS Poly and was hired. Years later, recently, I wanted to move into "regular" employment with said agency and was required to take another poly. I failed miserably due to the caustic nature of the polygrapher (in addition it looks like the polygrapher had tons of baggage, which may have saved my bacon). I was granted a new test, and although the polygrapher was much, much better I simply could not get the first poly out of my mind. The second polygrapher did everything they could, to the point of telling me to get any thoughts out of my mind, but alas it was not to be. 

It was interesting in that the first polygrapher told me that the poly was 99.9% accurate, yet the second polygrapher told me it was nothing but a "stress" test and could not determine lies/truth.

Fast forward... this agency, after all my years of service and regular backgrounds wanted to yank my clearance. I fought it, consulted with an attorney, wrote an appeals letter, and had the backing of gov't employees, supervisors, and division managers. I was told that my appeal was adjudicated favorably and I could keep employment and my clearance/access.

I have been scarred no less from this process, and have seen very well qualified individuals, high ranking ex mil, you name it all fail due to "drugs", etc. though they took none. Back to my question...

My big question is this: I am actively looking for other work that is mentally stimulating and that will be conducive with my education and training. Basically, fed employment is out of the question, though I still at times put in for jobs, but USAJobs seems to be drying up. However, other contractors are hiring like crazy in my area, but here is the catch. One contractor wanted to know if I had a clearance and FS poly (to which I have a clearance and passed my first FS Poly). How do I respond to this given the situation above? Do I inform them of what happened, especially if they want to poly me again (chances are, and I would honestly tell them, I probably would not pass)? Thoughts?

Due to my line of work and some of the things I deal with day in and day out I firmly believe that what you do, even legally in the course of your duties, translates over to heightened emotions, interpreted as "lies" during the poly. So for example, your line of work deals with the low dregs of society involved in drugs, day in and day out... guess what? Some people have emotional reactions to this and, in my opinion, and others, will probably not do so well on a "drug" question... anyways, thoughts on the above question? Thanks!

quickfix wrote on Jun 2^nd, 2011 at 7:18pm:

The good old boys' club.

depressed,

I think quickfix did a good job addressing your question. It's the last polygraph that "counts." So if you're applying for a job that requires a top secret clearance with full-scope polygraph, you cannot state that you have a current passed polygraph.