I applied online and was contacted within about 2 months for an interview. They had an interview event at a hotel, I arrived early and waited until I was called for my interview time. It took place in a large conference room with about 15 tables set up and an interviewer at each one. You interviewed with someone who currently worked in the department that you were applying for. The questions were basic and the interviewer told me that everyone, no matter the position that they applied for, was asked them. I believe there were 11 questions and I was able to ask questions at the end. The interview lasted about 45 minutes. After I waited for the interviewer to decide if I would be a good fit for the position. I was called back again and told that it was decided that I was a good fit and would be contacted with an offer. Within about 2 weeks I was contacted and accepted the offer. Next came the background paperwork and investigation, psych evaluation, and polygraph exam. I scheduled my psych evaluation and polygraph on the same day, as it is advised, and was there from 7:30AM until 4:30PM. The psych evaluation was simple, I answered about 100 questions on a computer then met with a psychiatrist to go over what I just answered along with my life, background, and such. The polygraph is where things took a turn. It started out good, the polygrapher made me feel comfortable. They went over all of the instruments, how and why they were used, and what would be asked. After answering the first set of questions the polygrapher left for a few minutes then came back and accused me of lying about being involved in illegal criminal activity. I was shocked at what I was accused of and know that I wasn't lying, the blood pressure monitor is on so tight you'd be able to tell if your heart rate changed. They won't let you see your results or the computer screen either. What ensued was a long tangent about lying and trying to cheat the polygraph system. It's the NSA, if I was involved in what you're telling me I am, I'm sure you'd already know and I wouldn't have gotten it this far in the process. After the polygraph was over the polygrapher's personality completely changed, they were friendly and nice asking about my drive back home. It was a terrible experience and unfortunately, I'm not the only one that experienced such things. From what I was told by other potential candidates, not many people pass the polygraph, many were there for their 3-4 time. I decided to withdraw my application after that experience. The fact that you can easily be accused of doing something you didn't do with no proof is concerning and I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable working in an environment like that, along with having to go through that every 5 years.
