Hey everyone, so I was just given the opportunity for a great job opportunity for a federal contractor for an Intel Analyst position. I already have an active TS/SCI clearance but the position requires me to upgrade to a CI Poly. This is a position with the FBI so not sure if that makes any difference. I’ve never had a poly done and quite frankly I’ve avoided it for years not because I have anything to hide but because I’ve had friends lose their clearances and opportunities despite them being honest or examiners accusing them of things that didn’t happen. I’m nervous about it and I guess worried about the risk of losing everything I’ve worked so hard for. What are your thoughts is it worth it? How difficult is it to pass? What can I do to prepare?
I have never taken an FBI poly, I’ve just read all the stories. I am not sure if their polygraph is any different from others, but what is definitely different is how many chances they will give you. Seems like for special agent candidates it is a one shot deal. Have not heard as much about contractor positions but I don’t think they offer as many chances as other agencies… not to mention what the contracting company might do if you don’t pass the first time.
The good news is that an “unsuccessful” polygraph with FBI should not affect any clearances with other organizations. It doesnt go down as a clearance denial.
Thank you for the insight
My advice has long been to steer clear of the FBI polygraph, for reasons I’ve explained here:
As for the difficulty of passing, I think your chances will be better than those of someone without a security clearance. The polygrapher will likely expect you to pass, but owing to polygraphy’s complete lack of scientific underpinnings, the risk of wrongly failing cannot be eliminated.
To prepare, you can educate yourself about polygraphy. But keep in mind that security officials really don’t want you to do so, because the procedure depends in fundamental ways on the operator lying to and deceiving the person being “tested.”
For an overview of polygraphy, including a detailed description of the various techniques used by federal agencies and that which can be done to mitigate the risk of wrongly failing, see our free book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which may be downloaded in a variety of formats here:
The only useful bit of polygraph commentary was from an official who said it was extremely unlikely that the polygraph would not detect a deceptive response… but very possible that a truthful response might incorrectly be called deception. To me that throws the whole thing into the trash.
The polygraph actually has a dismal record when it comes to detecting deceptive responses from actual spies.
Thank you for that very insightful information it truly helps.
Just keep in mind that if you want to pursue a career in this field, you’ll have to face the polygraph. It’s their game and they get to make up the rules.
Generally speaking…CI only poly is far shorter than a full scope poly. I too have seen people lose clearances from Poly. I lived that full scope life almost 10 years, 4 polys total. Extremely stressful. Does new job substantially increase pay or status? If not…I’d pass on poly life. I have no ibtent to ever subject myself to those again. Like you, nothing to hide. They really set off my diagnosed anxiety.
If this is your dream job, I say go for it. Personally, I have decided after everything I’ve read about polys that I will never apply for a job requiring one. It’s clearly voodoo science. However, if my dream job required one, then I would probably go for it. I don’t like to fly, but I don’t let it stop me from traveling.
Anti-polygraph has given you good advice. Steer clear of the FBI polygraph, if you fail it will follow you to every intelligence agency. This historically has not true for polygraphs at other law enforcement agencies like the Secret Service, but this appears to be changing with the advent of Scattered Castles and other federal databases storing polygraph results.
And, not to throw water on your opportunity, but you only think it is your dream job. The FBI told me an offer was coming for a position when I was a GS-14, and further told me not to accept offers from other federal agencies. What was their offer? A GS-14 (lateral - no promotion to a GS-15, no moving costs paid from DC to Redstone Arsenal AL, and no signing bonus.) I passed. Got a GS-15 a few months later in DC where the job market is much better.
There is a certain allure to being in the intelligence community, but taking a poly from any agency is not worth the potential damage to your reputation. Remember, if the intelligence agencies were any good, the Chinese would not have J-19 stealth fighters and our secrets would not be walking out the door on a daily basis. Our adversaries are laughing from here to the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Also, there is no “preparing” for a polygraph. The test is not valid.