Unable to share specifics. Application process started 18 months before completion (likely drawn out due to COVID-19 & it being an election year). First round was discontinued due to a misunderstood question on their lengthy application. 5 months after reapplying (due to a poorly worded question on their application) received notice that they were interested in interviewing me for the position. Ecstatic - dream job. 1st interview (4 months after receiving the interview-interest notice): essentially a review of the position I’d applied for with some background & general interview questions. 2nd interview (6 weeks later): essentially reviewed submitted a background questionnaire with an HR rep. 3rd round: Polygraph. Answered their questions. Informed them beforehand I had a degree of undiagnosed social anxiety and was very nervous about the polygraph (a machine that is NOT a legal requirement on the civilian side or in most criminal investigations, but is somehow still allowed as an employment gateway). Was ASSURED that nervousness wouldn’t factor into the results. By the end of the polygraph, the polygrapher accused me of attempting to thwart the test and lying about serious accusation material. If you discuss horrific subjects and are then accused of lying/not being forthcoming about said topics and don’t show up as nervous on a heart rate monitor, 1) sociopath or 2) more power to you. Thought the guy was pulling my chain to coerce potential wrong doings out of me, but, sure enough, received a “not best qualified” letter from the SS within 24 hours. Requested to appeal the results or even pay from my own pocket for a retest as I’d been forthcoming and had already paid for 2 medical examinations at my own expense during the application process. Offered to provide them with statements, back ground checks, more references, etc - anything that could help with mitigation as I’ve never been fired, had more than a speeding ticket, etc. Was ignored and denied. For anyone who doesn’t know, “failing” a polygraph isn’t grounds for being barred from federal and government employment for a minimum of 2 years. DON’T put yourself in that position so they can muck up your life “weeding out candidates” when they’ve already made up their minds regarding who to hire. First round interviewer said they had a high turnover rate which I completely believe at this point. Tax payer dollars at work. Unprofessional/unethical conduct at best.

The interview process is 3-6 months long. Very detailed and for the sake of a security clearance, they really dig into your background. There are about 9 parts to the interview from a physical test all the way to a polygraph and drug screening. Make sure your life is 100% together for the past 15 years before going through this interview process because ITS LONG.