Can you apply to positions that require a clearance while already under a current sponsorship? Polygraph doubts

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

Long story short, I am under a contractor under the NSA. I’m going back for my fourth polygraph. I do not have much confidence this will go the right way for me. I mean, ill keep going back if they offer it but I dont want all my eggs in one basket. The anticipation of me being able to change my life being dangled by this test is just not stable enough for me. I have nothing to hide and made it very clear. I stuck with every answer on my form and still be questioned like I am drastically failing. There is other opportunities that sponsor for a clearance that do not require a polygraph. If you were me, what would you do?

  1. Just wait for things to play out? My next polygraph is in a couple weeks. See what the polygrapher says if I failed or I passed then start applying elsewhere?
  2. If one investigation doesn’t interfere with the other, apply to the other positions now.

I had alot of people say to wait and just let it play out. But again, I’ve seen people be told that they had to wait 9-10 months just to be told they failed suitability due to the polygraph. There is no way I am going to wait another year for that type of probable ending. But yeah, what would you do?

2

Now that you do, its not too late to get out.

This can be a stressful process but somehow people have to learn how to deal with it and get on with their lives. Yes, even if you “pass” the next poly it may be several months before you finish all processing and get a start date. Can you handle that? And as a contractor, you may find yourself having to look for a new job after they award your contract (the big contract you were hired for) to another company and maybe you just don’t fit in with the new company’s plans… at least not unless you take a cut in pay, or accept being reassigned to some office you really want no part of. Then if you’re lucky, you get to do this whole polygraph thing again in 5-7 years.

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3

Yeaaaaah the doubts I am starting to have is crazy. I legit was banking on this but I refuse to keep waiting for a possible yes. I started applying today for other sponsored opportunities. I appreciate the advice.

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