Upcoming NSA polygraph

[Surebet]

I have my first polygraph session with the NSA within the next ten days. I hadn't even really paid the polygraph much mind until a friend of mine told me that his sister had tried several times to get into the NSA and failed the polygraph every time and never could make it, which started to get me nervous. Then, I Googled the polygraph and ended up here, which made it even worse. I'm losing sleep here!  

I wasn't initially worried because I've never done any illegal drugs in my life, never smoked, never even taken a single drink of alcohol, never gotten so much as a speeding ticket, graduated with a 3.83 GPA, been happily married for five years, and have a great family - anyways, I figured I'd have no trouble at all with the polygraph, as my life has been fairly innocuous. I really don't have any excuses for not passing with flying colors... except now, I'm all paranoid after hearing other people's experiences, and worried that will make me fail!

I really don't want any advice on how to beat the polygraph, just some pointers on how to be calm during the process and what I should avoid. I'm not really anti-polygraph at all and I don't have a hostile view toward it, I just want it to be as accurate as possible to reflect my candidacy.

Thanks!

[George W. Maschke]

Knowing more about polygraph procedure and what to expect might help to put your mind at least somewhat at ease. You'll find it explained in Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (1 mb PDF). The NSA routinely uses the thoroughly discredited Relevant/Irrelevant (R/I) technique to screen applicants. You'll find a discussion of this simplistic and completely invalid technique toward the end of the chapter. The R/I technique is also documented in Chapter 12 of the Federal Psychophysiological Detection of Deception Examiner Handbook.

You'll find personal statements of NSA (and other agency) polygraph victims here:

https://antipolygraph.org/statements.shtml

And for more on the NSA hiring process including the polygraph, see "Interviewing With an Intelligence Agency (or, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fort Meade)":

http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/nsa-interview.pdf

[Surebet]

Ugh... talk about making it worse  

I had come across that article "... Way to Fort Meade" before, which is kind of what started it. The weird thing is that my process has been almost backwards to his - as if the last thing I'm going to do is get my poly.

I had also read a little of "The Lie...", but had not read the Deception Examiner Handbook. Frankly, the handbook makes it sound fairly routine - but then again, I guess it's all in what your perspective is.

Wish me luck. Either way, I'll post my experience here. Any additional tips from someone that has been through the process would be well-received!

[nopolycop]

Surebet:

Relax friend.  While I know you REALLY want the job you are applying to, some things may be beyond your control.  Like the results of the polygraph.  You can answer all questions honestly, and still fail.  That's simply the reality of the thing.  You have no control over it, and reading the material (postings) here will make you crazy.  I would recommend reading the Lie Behind the Lie Detector, to understand how it works.

The best you can do for yourself is to relax, understand that receiving a pass from the poly examiner is not within your control, although you can help by being honest and relax.  I also don't see any harm in employing the countermeasures you read in TLBLD, if you want to increase your odds slightly.  But, it is still a roll of the dice.  Be pround that you made it this far, and go into it positive that you will pass.  

Good luck.

[JohnDoe30]

The polygraph is a very intense and nerve jarring experience.  I've found out recently that my clearance has been completed, but I had to take the polygraph four different times, with four different examiners to get through it.

I myself haven't had what one would call a stellar background as you seem to have, and even though I fully disclosed all of my inner most secrets and pass indiscretions (which by itself is incredibly difficult), I still failed multiple times on the counter-intelligence portion (which is impossible since I have no foreign national contacts, nor have I ever had access to classified material), as well as questions related to major crimes.  Eventually, the fourth examiner went through a different pattern of questioning, specifically targeting questions I was having trouble with.  Rather than asking a generalized question, he broke down a concept into a series of focused questions, which apparently greatly helped them get a clear reading.

The only advice that I can really give is get to the exam site early, give yourself plenty of time to get into a calm state of mind.  When you're in the chair, focus on your breathing. That part is big.  I was told on a number of occasions that I was timing my breath with answering Yes or No to a question.  Also, don't be paranoid if you fail the first time.  Everyone I know who has ever passed a polygraph, regardless of how clean their background is, failed their first time out.

Good Luck!

[T.M. Cullen]

Everyone I know who has ever passed a polygraph, regardless of how clean their background is, failed their first time out.

I had lunch at the hotel next to the Friendship Annex with a few other applicants who took the poly on the same day.  They ALL said their examiner claimed they showed deception after the first chart run.

I think they do this INTENTIONALLY to convince you there must be something "bothering you" about one or more  question.  In that way they can get you to self examine and volunteer info as to why you are having trouble with the question.  

People mistakenly believe that a "reaction" on the chart equates to "deception".  They end up questioniing their own critical judgement.
The examiner gets them to  think:  "Gosh!  What could be bothering me?   Could it be that time I did "this" or the time I did "that"?....

What they should be doing is thinking:  "What?  That's bullshit!  I am telling the truth.  The machine is wrong then!  This is a crock of shit!"  
You don't want to say that though!

It's just a clever interrogation technique meant to get you talking.  It is easy to fall for.  I fell for it, and it seems you did too.  The problem is that they will blow things out of all proportion if necessary to fail you or validate their stupid chart reading.

It can go either way.  I passed my 1995 poly, yet failed my 2000 poly, even though they used this technique during both exams.  Why?  I did not divulge anything during the 1995 experience (not that I had anything to divulge in the first place).  During the test I passed I suggested I was having trouble because he was claiming I was being deceptive when I was actually telling the truth.  "Wouldn't that cause a reaction?", I asked.  He quickly changed the subject......

I agree, don't go in there paranoid.  And do not be confrontational with them.  Not on an employment polygraph.  Just realize that this is the game they are playing with you.  Just let them think they have "flustered" you a little bit, when actually you're not because you are on to them!

And DO NOT tell them you researched the polygraph and mention that you have been to this Site!!!  

TC