Have you ever taken a polygraph? Lots of questions for you.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to have to take a polygraph for a background investigation. Apparently I have the option of declining it, but even asking about that would probably tank my chances anyway. What sort of questions do they ask you for these? I’m not a criminal suspect, so it’s not like I’m going to jail or anything. And even if I did lie about something, the worst that happens is I might not get a job I want. This is private sector btw not gov.

So what sort of questions do they ask you to tell the difference between a lie and the truth? Do they have to calibrate the machine for your responses? I would imagine they would ask you a few things you’d answer truthfully, then maybe something embarrassing or whatever you’d lie about, and compare the readings? I mean, I’ve got some things in my past in my personal life I’m not really proud of. No convictions or anything, but I was sort of a bully growing up. And in college I did lots of stuff that’s embarrassing to think about now. There’s probably some porn of me out there somewhere. I’ve had affairs, I used to get really drunk regularly and I’ve done quite of lot of coke as well as other drugs. I was basically a stereotypical party girl in my mid-late 20’s. But that was 15 years ago, and I’m a 180 from that life now.


Will they ask questions like have I ever had an affair? Done anything illegal/drugs? Stuff to try to embarrass me into lying about it? And what happens if I answer truthfully about embarrassing things? Is the person doing the testing sworn to secrecy or something? If I admit to having affairs during the test, will my H ever find out about it?

I’m a pretty good liar when I need to be, but my gut is telling me I should be 100% truthful for the test. I’m just worried about people knowing about my truthful answers.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely decline it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely decline it.

If I decline it I’m almost certain I won’t get the job.

[Anonymous]

OP, the questions depend on the type of poli. Some are CI focused; some are lifestyle focused.

Don’t lie. They aren’t looking for perfect people; they are looking avoid people who lie.

[Anonymous]

If you sit for it, you could still decline to answer questions. If they ask if you’ve had affairs, you could say “I don’t think that’s relevant and I decline to answer.” Or you could say “I’m not currently having an affair.” I assume this would be about your vulnerability to extortion? Tbh I think they should be more worried that you’re willing to sit for a polygraph to get a job. That seems like way too much faith in authority.

[Anonymous]

Easy to fake/ make results unreliable. Control your BP with diaphragm contractions randomly and that will provide enough confusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, the questions depend on the type of poli. Some are CI focused; some are lifestyle focused.

Don’t lie. They aren’t looking for perfect people; they are looking avoid people who lie.

Is “CI” criminal investigation?

I can’t see how there’d be anything to ask there, because it’s not criminal just background. I mean, yeah, I’ve committed crimes I guess. Who hasn’t? But it’s not like I’ll be prosecuted for those, it’s not the reason for the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easy to fake/ make results unreliable. Control your BP with diaphragm contractions randomly and that will provide enough confusion.

Eh, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that. My gut is just telling me to tell the truth which is just the simplest thing.

My real concern is who sees the answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you sit for it, you could still decline to answer questions. If they ask if you’ve had affairs, you could say “I don’t think that’s relevant and I decline to answer.” Or you could say “I’m not currently having an affair.” I assume this would be about your vulnerability to extortion? Tbh I think they should be more worried that you’re willing to sit for a polygraph to get a job. That seems like way too much faith in authority.

How to say "yes, I've had affairs" without saying "yes, I've had affairs" lol....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy to fake/ make results unreliable. Control your BP with diaphragm contractions randomly and that will provide enough confusion.

Eh, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that. My gut is just telling me to tell the truth which is just the simplest thing.

My real concern is who sees the answers.

I think this is a legitimate question to ask, for anyone, even if you don't have anything to hide, per se. I'd be curious about this too.
I can't imagine they'd be calling your husband to tattle on you, though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you sit for it, you could still decline to answer questions. If they ask if you’ve had affairs, you could say “I don’t think that’s relevant and I decline to answer.” Or you could say “I’m not currently having an affair.” I assume this would be about your vulnerability to extortion? Tbh I think they should be more worried that you’re willing to sit for a polygraph to get a job. That seems like way too much faith in authority.

Well if it’s some kind of personality test about my trust in authority then I don’t know what to make of it. Obviously they want the person in this position to be completely reliable and obedient, so I don’t see how showing a questioning of authority response will help me.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine any job where your level of fidelity would come into question. It has nothing to do with any job you might perform, so why would they ask such a specific question?

I've never taken a polygraph, but I would assume questions would be more like "have you ever taken anything from the office that does not belong to you" "have you ever lied for your boss" "did you earn a degree from XYZ University" "do you currently use illegal drugs"

Whatever you do OP, just be honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, the questions depend on the type of poli. Some are CI focused; some are lifestyle focused.

Don’t lie. They aren’t looking for perfect people; they are looking avoid people who lie.

Is “CI” criminal investigation?

I can’t see how there’d be anything to ask there, because it’s not criminal just background. I mean, yeah, I’ve committed crimes I guess. Who hasn’t? But it’s not like I’ll be prosecuted for those, it’s not the reason for the exam.

CI is counterintelligence. Many of the questions will be about foreign contacts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, the questions depend on the type of poli. Some are CI focused; some are lifestyle focused.

Don’t lie. They aren’t looking for perfect people; they are looking avoid people who lie.

Is “CI” criminal investigation?

I can’t see how there’d be anything to ask there, because it’s not criminal just background. I mean, yeah, I’ve committed crimes I guess. Who hasn’t? But it’s not like I’ll be prosecuted for those, it’s not the reason for the exam.

CI is counterintelligence. Many of the questions will be about foreign contacts.

Oh ok. No. I can’t imagine it having anything to do with that then. Not really even relevant in my case.

[Anonymous]

They're likely to ask about drug use. As for affairs, if you're in a position where you could be subject to blackmail, they may ask about that too. For example, if you're trying out to be a prison guard or a person who handles finances/cash.