If I do well enough on a civil service exam I will be given a polygraph. The only question I am worried about on the polygraph is "have you ever smoked marijuana?"
I have been told by a couple of firefighters that I should lie on this question and say "no, I have never smoked marijuana"
However, a couple of others have told me that I should just tell them the truth.
I am concerned that telling the truth could cost me the job. What is your advice?
2007-11-23 05:30:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If you show deception, they will not consider you for the job.
All polygraph questions are designed to have two answers... "yes" or "no". If your answer requires clarification, they will ask follow up questions. You will not have to lie once, you will have to lie several times.
Drug use in itself may not eliminate you, everyone makes mistakes, and employers know that. You have a much better chance telling the truth and accepting responsibility. Get caught lying, you have no chance.
2007-11-23 05:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Look at it this way.
If you lie, there is a very small chance that you will get anyway with it.
However, if you are caught lying, you will be denied the job anyways. And they may share the fact you lied with any other department that asks for that information....which will cost you a job there too.
If you do get by the polygraph, remember, they will probably also do a background caught and that will involve calling friends, neighbors, classmates, ect. All it takes is one person to say "Yeah, me and Johnny smoked pot a few times" and you are toast.
Smoking marijuana a few times usually won't disqualify you from most fire departments. Especially if you have a few years between the drug use and applying.
Best advice is always the truth.
2007-11-23 06:06:29 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a firefighter but I'll tell you right now, that "if" you lie on the polygraph test, the truth will come out. Always tell the truth on polygraph tests. In doing do so, you may have a chance to explain yourself. Lie & you are only hurting yourself.
2007-11-23 05:44:32 · answer #3 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell the truth, Many questions on a polygraph are there to more to see if you will lie then to make you answer something that will knock you out.....most departments wont disqualify you for past use as long as it isnt recent....but 100% of them will disqualify you for lying
2007-11-23 05:35:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lying about it will cost you the job, too. And then you're guilty of falsifying an official statement to the government. So pick whichever one you think will work out more in your favor.
2007-11-23 05:38:09 · answer #5 · answered by DOOM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋