My last post gave out too much information so im going to generalization it a little bit. Is there a specific way youre supposed to act during a polygraph? Are you supposed to take “abuse” or negative comments and just roll with it? My first session was very hostile. It started off nice and after the first series of testing, he asked why I wanted to work for a certain agency and I told him to follow in my uncle’s footsteps, in which is passed away. He said ALONG THE LINES OF “how would your uncle feels knowing that his nephew won’t get the job because he has done more drugs than what he has claimed”? I did not respond too kindly of that remark. I insulted his thought process and dismantled his whole “Bad cop” persona in an instant. I told him he can keep the job if he wanted to, and I will come back a million times and make the rest of the polygraphers look foolish and gauruntee you I wont change my story one bit. At the end, he said I was his worst applicant and lit up like a christmas tree.
Just for clarification, I am not proud of how I reacted. I understand if i do not get the job. I got called back for a second one in which was the complete opposite. I still didnt change my story either. Im unsure if I passed that one either as its been a month since then. Does this reflect on suitability?
2 Likes
Yeah I got same “lighting up like a Christmas tree” comment. Same pressure. We shoukd respond “I’ll tell my uncle to tell the fool making that claim they are better suited as a timeshare sales person.”
We won’t and my pithy 20/20 hind sight.well, I sat there with them in my head.
2 Likes
OP, have you ever watched The Wire? There are multiple scenes with polygraphs that illustrate what the “value” of them is. These are all standard tactics designed to get you riled up and throw you off.
2 Likes
Regarding how to act during the polygraph, I think it is advisable to keep calm and collected, and to remain courteous but firm when truthfully denying deception or withholding information.
The polygraph operator’s behavior that you describe is standard (and scripted). I think you’ll find the federal polygraph school’s interview and interrogation handbook enlightening.
For more on how to comport oneself during the polygraph, see Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.
1 Like
Thank you. Yeah, Im not proud about my remarks but that certainly got under my skin. The next examiner was so much nicer though. Its really weird.
1 Like
Almost everyone has “lit up like a Christmas tree.” It’s honestly so lame and hilarious to me that they use the same script over and over again. I’m glad your second exam was nicer, but don’t let your guard down if you come back for a third. They’ll say anything to try to make you look/sound bad. Just keep giving them the truth no matter what they say.
2 Likes
If it were me, I would respond, “A Christmas tree? Wow, that is beautiful. You know what else is beautiful? The truth. The truth is beautiful, and that is why I gave you the truth. I am proud to be a Christmas tree.”
Snarky replies to a polygraph operator are unwise if one’s goal is to pass.
Good idea. Let us know how that goes…
I passed. I did not say that exact line (which, I admit, sounds too snarky), but every time I clapped back at an accusation they looked stunned and moved on to another topic. Clap backs were my way of trying to make the interrogations less painful (and a little bit more fun) for myself. I never personally attacked the examiner and only addressed what they were saying or asking and always did so in a calm and confident manner. And I’d do it again.
1 Like