Hey guys! I am new to the cleared space. I have a TS/SCI but I haven’t had a cleared job yet. I have a potential job that requires a CI poly, but I just read so many horror stories on here about the polygraph process that I wanted to ask if it’s worth it or if I should stick to my TS/SCI. I have nothing to hide and I should pass the poly with flying colors, but I have read so many posts on here about people with clean backgrounds failing and it’s scaring me! I appreciate your advise, the CI poly would give me a $30-50k pay bump so I am highly considering it since my background is completely clean. Thanks!
I would go for it, CI portion isnt as terrible as the lifestyle portion. Same rules apply though, tell the truth, dont admit to anything you didn’t do just to appease the examiner.
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Thanks! I really appreciate your response.
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If you haven’t had a cleared job yet, then your clearance is probably not adjudicated yet. That’s usually how it works.
Hi! It has been adjudicated, it has been confirmed through multiple sources. The job was filled by someone else who had an active clearance, but they still sponsored my clearance until something else opened up. Yes, I know this is unusual, but I have had multiple people (recruiters for other cleared jobs who were also skeptical) confirm it has beed adjudicated.
Lawd full scope goes deep on all: CI, Crim, lifestyle, finance, downloading, disqualifying factors, etc. 4.5 hours in chair all 4 times.
CI is short, to the point.
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Was not fun! And I had to do 2 rounds each for 2 agencies, so 4 for me too. Dont know how people can do 3+ with one agency.
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Back in lowly “TS” land now as fed civ. Good enough for me. Wont even consider a poly slot anymore.
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Keep in mind, the examiner can expand the scope if need be (and they get to decide what be needed). I knew a guy who “volunteered” a bit too much during a CI poly and pretty much got the full monty. He passed though.
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Why won’t you consider it? Just because of the poly?
Is it best practice to just answer yes/no/idk and give no other info unless they ask for more?
In my opinion, the risk of undergoing a polygraph examination is not worth the potential rewards. In the event you don’t pass, or worse still, end up being accused of using polygraph countermeasures (which can happen, for example, if your breathing appears to the operator to be too slow and regular), you risk losing your security clearance altogether.