Your Guide to Inconclusive Pre-Employment Polygraph Results
Inconclusive results in a pre-employment polygraph test can be confusing and worrisome. What does it truly mean? What should you do after receiving an inconclusive result? Is your dream job truly out of reach? If you apply elsewhere with a failed or inconclusive result, will you automatically be disqualified on the new exam? These are common and important questions that I have encountered from hundreds of individuals over my 22 ½ year polygraph career.
My goal is to provide answers that help everyone who has to take a polygraph/lie detector test for any reason in life to move forward, not backward. I have written many blogs and created numerous educational videos on TikTok about the difference between inexperienced and experienced examiners and what it means for those taking an examination. Please see my videos at https://www.tiktok.com/@executiveprotectiongrp for more information after reading this blog.
What Does an Inconclusive Polygraph Result Mean?
An inconclusive result is similar to a medical test that doesn't show significant findings for the medical technician or doctor to make a definitive decision about your prognosis. You may still feel pain or suspect something is wrong, so the medical staff may ask you to return for another test or seek another opinion.
Similarly, when you receive an inconclusive result from a polygraph test, it can be confusing and disheartening. Essentially, an inconclusive result means that the polygraph examiner was unable to determine whether your responses indicated truthfulness or deception.
The Role of Polygraph Tests in Pre-Employment Screening
Most people who have to take a polygraph, or what many refer to as a lie detector test, do so for pre-employment purposes. Pre-employment polygraph testing is required for a variety of professions, including:
Law Enforcement
Fire Departments
Corrections
Government Agencies (requiring a minimum of a Secret to a Top-Secret Clearance)
Armored Car Companies
Contractual Companies
Pharmaceutical Transportation or Representatives (depending on the company)
Whatever agency you apply for—local, state, or federal—that requires a pre-employment polygraph before hiring will have several steps before reaching the polygraph phase. Once you get to the polygraph phase, you are just about at the final steps of being hired.
The Importance of Honesty During Your Pre-Employment Polygraph Test
You might wonder why people would jeopardize their employment opportunities by failing a pre-employment polygraph test. Surprisingly, many do jeopardize themselves by:
Intentionally Falsifying Applications: Applicants often leave out vital information they believe is not important to the agency, but it actually is. They may also lie and fabricate details to make themselves look better or stand out from others.
Minimizing Answers: Providing incomplete or misleading responses to certain topics.
Failure to Sign Applications: Indicating carelessness or dishonesty.
Inconsistencies: When the applicant’s responses do not match up with their application information, showing the application is false and the applicant cannot be trusted.
Important Advice: If the job you are applying for is important to you and your future, do not lie or fabricate information. If you have made mistakes in life, own up to them and move forward. Honesty and integrity are more valued than perfection. Both the agency and the polygraph examiner prefer candidates who are truthful rather than those who withhold information or lie. An agency will find it difficult to trust you in the long term if you are dishonest.
The Journey to the Pre-Employment Polygraph Phase
To reach the pre-employment polygraph test, you must have passed several preliminary stages, including:
Written Test: You must score highly among the hundreds who also took the examination.
Physical Agility Test: This assesses your physical capabilities.
Panel Personal Interview: You must impress a panel of interviewers.
Background Check: A thorough investigation into your past.
After successfully completing these steps, you will be notified of a date for the pre-employment polygraph test. Following a successful polygraph test, you may undergo a psychological evaluation and possibly further background investigations before receiving the final offer of employment. Most individuals endure almost a year or longer in this hiring process.
Receiving an Inconclusive Result on Your Pre-Employment Polygraph Test
Imagine this scenario: You have applied for your dream job and have endured over a year of testing and filling out forms. You finally reach the pre-employment polygraph testing phase, knowing whether you will be 100% open and honest with your examiner or if you will lie and hold back information.
*As I have said before, some applicants will jeopardize their testing by lying or withholding information, which can prevent them from getting hired. However, if you are an applicant who knows you will be completely truthful, you should have no fears about failing.*
You arrive at the pre-employment polygraph test, feeling understandably nervous. This is perfectly normal; you will not fail the exam for being nervous or anxious. Now it is up to the professional examiner to render the correct results of the polygraph examination, either by indicating ‘No Significant Response/No Deception Indicated’ or ‘Significant Response/Deception Indicated’—not an inconclusive result.
You take the test, and at the end, the examiner informs you that the results came back inconclusive. You are puzzled and ask yourself, "What does that mean? Did I fail? Did I pass?" The examiner asks if anything troubled you about certain questions, to which you respond, “No.” The examiner thanks you, tells you that the agency will contact you, and wishes you a good rest of your day. Despite the examiner's nice and pleasant demeanor, you leave the examination room feeling dejected, confused, and in a state of limbo.
So, you’ve received an inconclusive polygraph test result. What does this mean for you? What did you do wrong? The truth is that you did nothing wrong. If your final test results come back inconclusive, it means the examiner could not determine whether your responses indicated truthfulness or deception. Again, this outcome is not your fault.
Steps to Take After an Inconclusive Result
What should you do after receiving an inconclusive result on your polygraph examination? Here are some steps to consider:
Check for a Retest Opportunity: Many agencies offer a second chance to take the pre-employment polygraph test. This could be scheduled for the following week, several weeks later, or even up to six months later, depending on the agency's policy. If you are offered a retest, it indicates that the inconclusive result was not your fault. Most likely, you will not have the same examiner for the retest, so approach it with the same honesty and integrity as you did the first time.
Stay Truthful: Remember, those who fail their examination typically do not get a second chance. If you are given another opportunity, it means you did well, but the examiner couldn't make a definitive determination. Take the retest seriously and be completely truthful.
Request a Retest if Not Offered: If the agency does not automatically offer you a second chance, you can request a retest. Check the agency's policy to see if this is an option.
Move Forward if Retest is Not Possible: If you are not given a second chance, do not be discouraged. Use the experience as a learning opportunity and apply to other agencies that offer similar positions. Your dream job is not lost because one opportunity didn’t work out. Other agencies may be a better fit, and lateral transfers are often possible once you get your foot in the door.
Keep a Positive Attitude: Hold your head high knowing that an inconclusive result is not a failure. It simply reflects that the examiner could not make a definitive assessment. Keep applying to other opportunities and remember that persistence and honesty will eventually lead you to the right job.
Never ever give up on something that is important to you and that means a lot to you and your future. Do not let anyone or any agency tell you no. Just keep plugging along until that one job comes along that makes you happy.
FAQ: If I failed or got an inconclusive result at one agency and I know I have another polygraph soon, will that affect my new exam and chances of getting hired?
Absolutely not! Remember that examiners are not all the same. Few are experts and excellent at their job, others are very good, and some are mediocre. Just because you received a certain result from one examiner does not mean you will receive the same result from another. Do not worry about getting the same outcome as last time. When asked if you have ever taken an examination before, be open and honest about what occurred. Examiners will not automatically think, "Okay, I’m going to fail them too," or, "I’m going to give this applicant an inconclusive result." Instead, they will strive to ensure their testing is accurate.
I want to emphasize the importance of always telling the truth and being true to who you are. Pursue your dreams with determination and integrity.
If Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service can assist you with your polygraph needs or answer any questions related to polygraph testing, do not hesitate to call to schedule your polygraph examination with us.
Take the pivotal step towards peace of mind by connecting with Mr. David Goldberg, the founder of Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service. With over a combined 30 years of experience of administering polygraph examinations as an Advanced Board-Certified Polygraph Examiner and Investigator, Mr. David Goldberg brings unparalleled expertise.
Our mission at Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service is clear: to eliminate doubts and ensure you find the closure you deserve to move forward in your life. Specializing in comprehensive and confidential polygraph examinations, we serve clients in Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Suffolk, Hampton, and beyond. Led by Mr. David Goldberg, a Virginia State Licensed Advanced Board-Certified Polygraph Examiner and nationally recognized expert, our commitment is to deliver immediate, reliable, and accurate results.
To explore how we can assist you further, review our polygraph services or call Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service today to schedule your polygraph examination. Take the first step towards resolution and peace of mind with us.
