I (was told by my examiner that I) passed a CIA polygraph recently but had my job offer rescinded for "suitability" reasons, whatever that means.
I am now applying to another agency and have to take another polygraph. The first polygraph used control, relevant, and irrelevant questions. My tactic with the first polygraph was just to *stay as calm as possible* and I had never even heard of countermeasures when I took it. That plan seems to have worked, though it didn't secure me a job.
With this new poly I'm supposed to be taking, I'm inclined to just do exactly what I did the first time. But after reading about the different types of polys in use and all the variation, I'm wondering if passing it once is any guarantee I can pass it again.
Has anyone ever passed a poly only to fail another one later? Or do some people with the appropriate physiology (that hopefully includes me!) just not have problems with polys?
Seems to me that if whatever you did worked before, do it again. I took a poly 2 weeks ago, told the truth, and failed it. I figured I didn't need any countermeasures becuase, after all, I was being honest. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.
lookingforajob,
Passing a polygraph once is no guarantee that one will pass a second time. To the best of my knowledge, there are no scientific studies of CQT polygraph test-retest reliability. But more importantly, the entire procedure has no scientific basis to begin with.
That said, your having passed a CIA polygraph may help you to pass the other agency's polygraph. When your polygrapher asks about any past polygraph experience, and you mention that you passed a CIA polygraph, it will presumably tend to increase his/her confidence in your honesty and expectation that you will also pass his/her examination.