Anybody have experience with Polygraph tests?

[flan7211]

Hey all,

In process of being hired as a corrections officer. I've done well in all the other pre-hiring process. About to take a polygraph. Don't know what to expect. I've read a book on how even if you tell the truth you can fail. Is this true? I've heard you usually fail because you admit to something under pressure. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sneakerd]

They will ask you a number of simple, harmless questions to get a baseline reading on your heart rate, blood pressure etc. Then they'll get to the harder questions. The whole idea is -DON'T LIE. I believe they have to tell you what questions they will ask. Most everyone has done stupid stuff in the past. Just tell the truth and you'll be fine. They can't discover anything about you in a polygraph. They just want to know if you will lie about it.

[flan7211]

Planning on being 100% honest on all the stupid things I've done in my life. Thanks.

[ScooterCO]

Thats right, they just want to know if you lie.

Relax and have fun.

[NukeRJ]

They ask you all of the questions ahead of time without being hooked up. Then they ask them all again when u are hooked up. The principle is that when a question that you are not honest about is asked the first time. You tend to remember where it was in the order. So When they ask the questions while hooked up. The anticipation prior to the question being asked is recorded. That is what they are looking for. What happens is when u answer the question of suspect, u are nervous and then after answered the body's natural reaction is to relax. So yes. Just relax and be honest. And be wary of one last trick. After the test they may leave and come back in and just ask "are you sure there isn't anything you want to change your answer on?" do not fall for this. It is an attempt to garner an admission to lying on the polygraph. Just stick to your answers and don't feel you have to clarify.
Hope that explains more of the science for you.

[Bailey Guns]

When I've taken them in the past it's gone like this:

• Answer questions on a form - these are the same questions they'll ask you during the exam.
• Examiner will go over your answers with you.
• Examiner will explain the test.
• Examiner will begin asking you questions starting with name, DOB, etc...
• Examiner will ask you the same questions as were on the form. Example: "Other than what we discussed have you ever used illegal drugs?"
• All answers will be "Yes" or "No" answers.

Pretty simple and there won't be any surprise questions. Don't worry about it. Just be truthful on the form and with the examiner prior to the test.

[cstone]

100% honesty is best. Answer the questions and let them resolve any discrepancies after they run the sheets. There are always follow-up questions.

Do not self terminate the test. That is sometimes part of the test to see if you will endure. Also, when they tell you to relax and don't fidget, they mean it. Excessive or irregular breathing and squirming are sometimes regarded as counter-measures.

You don't want to work some place after you "beat" their polygraph (got away with a lie). During a 20+ year career, if your employer ever finds out you lied, you will be terminated as if you were a new employee. I've seen people with 10+ years in-service get walked out because they were tripped up on an update. Really sad when it is something that was considered a dis-qualifier when they applied many years ago, but now is considered a minor thing which is permitted for new hires (often this is minor drug use). Tough to see otherwise good employees tossed out and lose everything.

"Always tell the truth; then you don't have to remember anything. " Mark Twain

Good luck with the process.

[Monky]

As these guys have said just be honest..

They'll ask you questions.. then hook you up and ask again.. anything that didn't quite 'read' correctly he will rephrase and ask.

It is nerve wracking. Even if you are honest you'll still be nervous. Don't over think it too much.

Oh and good luck

[flan7211]

Thanks gents, sound advice.

[ChunkyMonkey]

...or you can flunk it a few times and they won't bother you with it.

I flunk my own name.