polygraph on friday

[rubenb1978]

I just got word last night that i will be taking the polygraph test on friday. I have nothing to hidden ( nothing in my background , no driking and no drugs and no smoking) and worried that they might say that i am to good to be true. should i be worried or not.

[thelife]

I just got word last night that i will be taking the polygraph test on friday. I have nothing to hidden ( nothing in my background , no driking and no drugs and no smoking) and worried that they might say that i am to good to be true. should i be worried or not.

As long as you are telling the truth, you will be fine, as the polygraph will indicate any "deception". Being on the straight and narrow is commendable, and that should reflect well on you.

[CaptBob]

Be Prepared

Go to www.polygraph.com and get their downloadable program to prepare your self for your Friday poly. Don't just look at the site, buy the program!

This recent posting is from another web site:

I would like to share my experience with all of those that are on the path to getting the career of a lifetime.

I had my polygraph and psych test this last week. Time and time again we are being told, “be prepared for every step”. Passing a written or a physical agility is just the corner stone. Learning to pass an oral board and a chiefs oral is only part of it. Once you pass those steps is your quest over? What about the other parts? Medical, polygraph, background, and psych? Have you prepared for those?

Let me tell you that there are tools out there to help you prepare just like the rest of the process. I did my homework and went to www.polygraph.com, as well as went to Capt. Bobs web site www.eatstress.com. Not only does he have a great product to help you pass the oral, but he also has a great product that informs you about the psych! I bought both of the programs. I studied and practiced and most of all got a pretty good picture as what to expect. I walked in still nervous, but feeling very prepared. No games or trying to figure out how to trick the machine, but being prepared for the whole experience. (I told the truth every time) All in all it cost me about 80 bucks for both programs. That 80 bucks just got me closer to the dream job. I passed! In reality all it cost me was taking my family out to a sit down dinner once for the next 2 weeks. Worth it….you bet.

Take a little reality check. How much money are you spending on other things then the things that are going to help you get the job? What can you cut out of your daily routine to get that job? Once again....How bad do you want it? Understanding that just because I wanted the job does not mean that the fire service has to give it to me. Its about maturity, patience, learning to speak to others, studying, changig behaviors, sacrafice and really understanding what the fire service is all about.

For me…..80 bucks was worth it. Just thought I would pass along some good information that someone kind enough was willing to give to me. It helped, and it worked! Best of luck!

Bert

[Hawg4248]

I just got word last night that i will be taking the polygraph test on friday. I have nothing to hidden ( nothing in my background , no driking and no drugs and no smoking) and worried that they might say that i am to good to be true. should i be worried or not.

Is it a disqualification if you have "experimented" in the past. I have read many post that have stated that if you tired anything once or twice your ok, but if you have done more than that it questionable. I was no angel and saw the error's of my ways but this was 12 years ago. I dont smoke, dont do drugs, and I have a couple of beers socialy. Is this a problem?

[mashworth]

Polygraph

The polygraph's that I have done includes a question and answer section were you are asked a question and then give a chance to explain your answer. After that you are then hooked up and the questions are like "concerning your reply to question 1, were you truthfull in your answer?" That way you have the chance to explain who you are and what you did in the past. Remeber the reason for a polygraph...are you truthful?

[Fargo2722]

I agree with mashworth. Having never taken a polygraph I was very anxious and wasn't sure how to prepare for it. Having prepared for every other aspect of the hiring process I thought I should also prepare for the polygraph in some way. I bought the materials at polygraph.com but was hesitant to start the program because I had nothing to hide and was worried that once I learned the techniques involved I wouldn't be able to block them out. I'm not saying the program is good or bad I just chose not to use it, for others it may be a good investment. In the end I'm glad I didn't read the materials because the first question both polygraph guys (i have taken two) asked me was, "have you read or researched any ways to beat a polygraph exam?"
Both of the ones I took involved hearing the questions, talking about my answers with the exam administrator, explaining my reasoning, and then getting hooked up to the polygraph and confirming those answers. For example one of the questions was, "Have you ever stolen anything from an employer?" I admitted that thinking back I couldn't help remembering the office supplies like pens, paper, and one stapler that had made their way home with me over the years. He adjusted the question to read, "Have you ever stolen anything from an employer valued more than $15." That I could confidently answer "no" to when hooked up to the polygraph and we moved down the list like that. Same thing with the question about drugs - having experimented as a teenager briefly I was able to explain that, qualify it, and move on. A friend told me that the best thing to do is to answer the question and then just think about something else. Don't dwell on your answers just go to a happy place and wait for the next question. Also don't say, " ummm. . . ahh. . . no" just say, "no."
So that's my two cents on the polygraph. Hope it helps. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

[CaptBob]

So What!

In the end I'm glad I didn't read the materials because the first question both polygraph guys (i have taken two) asked me was, "have you read or researched any ways to beat a polygraph exam?"


This reply from a previous posting from FF/PM

Yes, I was asked if I had researched polygraphs in my pre-interview, but not in the actual polygraph exam. The examiner asked me why I researched polygraphs? Was I going to manipulate it? I said of course not, but I always study before going into a test, I knew nothing about polygraphs prior to my hiring process and wanted to know what they are about.

While I am a big advocate of honesty in the hiring process, I am also an advocate on RESEARCH prior to entering into a new portion of the hiring process.

This does not make you a "cheater" or "dishonest" for wanting to know what you are getting yourself into, just thorough.

I researched every step of my hiring process. I learned everything I could about interviews, medicals, psych exams, polygraphs, backgrounds...not because I was trying to manipulate the system with deception or dishonesty, but I wanted to know what is next.

Honesty was the foundation of everything during my hiring process. I used this formula.....


If asked, a truthful answer was always given.

If asked a question, I would answer the question honestly then be quiet.

All other times I sat there with my mouth shut.

I have had friends fail polygraphs, not because they were dishonest, but they were not educated for what they were getting into. They sat down and were honest, but when answering one of the polygrpaher's questions, they would answer the question and then ADD additional info not even asked for. This ultimately led to their demise.

Learning about a polygraph does not mean I am trying to cheat it. Were you trying to cheat by going to fire stations and finding out what types of questions may be asked on the oral interview? No, you just wanted to be prepared.

Be honest, be prepared and be consistent.

[Fargo2722]

I agree with Capt. Bob that being prepared for each aspect for the hiring process is critical. His materials helped me tremendously in my prep for the oral interviews. With regards to the Poly however my preparation involved asking friends and previous polygraph takers about their experience which was enough for me to feel comfortable going into the polygraph test. For you the prep process will be different and may require purchasing a polygraph prep guide. I had not expected to be asked about preparing for the polygraph so when the question was asked I answered and then began thinking about how I would have answered it had I gone ahead and read the materials. As the FF/PM Capt. Bob quoted said just be ready to have answers for those questions and then keep you mouth shut at all other times.

[polecat]

Ever consider the Priesthood?

I just got word last night that i will be taking the polygraph test on friday. I have nothing to hidden ( nothing in my background , no driking and no drugs and no smoking) and worried that they might say that i am to good to be true. should i be worried or not.

If you're worried about being deemed "to good to be true, why don't you suck back a couple of wobbly pops on occassion,like the majority of f.f.s. do after a long shift or exhausting sporting event.( assuming you're 21.) The fact you have never raised a glass in your life,by NO means makes you one iota better ,than someone who enjoys a few Bud ,watching the big game. What you need to work on pal is your ego and your spelling. good luck.

[rubenb1978]

thank you all for your insight. it's great to know that one can turn somewhere for help. i'll let everyone know how i did.