What happens during the initial background interview?

[FNG]

Hi everybody,

I am wondering if anyone can help me with information about the initial background interview. What questions are asked, what kind of paperwork is filled out? The waiting is rough and the more information I can get the more bearable it is.

Thanks,

FNG

[marcus]

I believe that what will be asked depends largely on what you wrote in your PHS. If you have any sketchy or grey area in your background, it would behoove you to refresh your memory about the circumstances. Remember, he is going to contact your employer, co-workers, friends, and friends of friends - no stone left unturned. If you left something out of your PHS, now is a good time to fess up.

I just remember getting more than my fair share of alcohol and drug related questions throughout the entire process. It almost gets frustrating; how many times do you have to say ?no? to the same question.

[AceRock]

What are these interviews like when they are held at your house? Do they want to talk to family members that might be home? Do they want to meet in private? Also has anyone taken the polygraph? Whats that like? I read that people have failed simply because they were nervous in general and had nothing to hide and did not lie! I dont feel i have anything to hide but cant help but feel a little uneasy of the background that awaits me.

[pupdog]

I haven't done a CVSA yet, but I did take a polygraph in another dept.'s process. I went in pretty nervous because during my initial background interview, the BI had asked me something that I found so outrageous that I gasped and said 'DEAR GOD NO!' If that was my honest reaction to a question, geez, how was this gonna go?? Needn't have worried. The proctor had me fill out a form with, yep, same ol questions. Then we went through it together, very relaxed. Honestly, it was almost like sharing memories with an old friend! So the air was all clear about everything, and everything was by then boiled down to yes/no answers. She hooked me up to the box, covered in wires, facing away from the machine.
About this time, all the coffee I'd had that morning was jittering through the viens pretty hard. It was also VERY cold in there, and i was actually a little shivery. Then it happened. I heard scribbling behind me. I kept physically calm, but my head was spinning! I HADN'T LIED!! I was really freaking out! When she said we were finished, I asked her about it immediatly. She said what I heard was HER writing...as the paper scrolls by, she writes what question number we're on! I can only hope that she didn't think I was trying to get out of something with so-called honesty. Oh well, that whole application is a moot point now. I can only learn from it.
I don't know about the CVSA, but with a polygraph, they are SENSETIVE! There's a blood pressure cuff (swear it gets tighter as you go. I couldn't feel my arm after a few minutes!), 2 bands around the chest, and a sweat sensor on your finger. She told me not to move at all. At one point, I moved a toe very slightly because of an itch on it. She immediatly asked me to stop moving! Wow, that toe was quietly inside a shoe!
So good luck! And oh yeah, be honest!

[TheForceCHP]

I haven't done a CVSA yet, but I did take a polygraph in another dept.'s process. I went in pretty nervous because during my initial background interview, the BI had asked me something that I found so outrageous that I gasped and said 'DEAR GOD NO!' If that was my honest reaction to a question, geez, how was this gonna go?? Needn't have worried. The proctor had me fill out a form with, yep, same ol questions. Then we went through it together, very relaxed. Honestly, it was almost like sharing memories with an old friend! So the air was all clear about everything, and everything was by then boiled down to yes/no answers. She hooked me up to the box, covered in wires, facing away from the machine.
About this time, all the coffee I'd had that morning was jittering through the viens pretty hard. It was also VERY cold in there, and i was actually a little shivery. Then it happened. I heard scribbling behind me. I kept physically calm, but my head was spinning! I HADN'T LIED!! I was really freaking out! When she said we were finished, I asked her about it immediatly. She said what I heard was HER writing...as the paper scrolls by, she writes what question number we're on! I can only hope that she didn't think I was trying to get out of something with so-called honesty. Oh well, that whole application is a moot point now. I can only learn from it.
I don't know about the CVSA, but with a polygraph, they are SENSETIVE! There's a blood pressure cuff (swear it gets tighter as you go. I couldn't feel my arm after a few minutes!), 2 bands around the chest, and a sweat sensor on your finger. She told me not to move at all. At one point, I moved a toe very slightly because of an itch on it. She immediatly asked me to stop moving! Wow, that toe was quietly inside a shoe!
So good luck! And oh yeah, be honest!

good info.

from what i have heard the test is a Voice Stress one not the normal style of lie detector test

[undertow999]

you are correct, the CHP uses the CVSA. not the Polygraph

[x MAIT]

I always used the initial interview as an opportunity to conduct a search of the Applicants house, car, and anything else on the property.


Just kidding.:lol: The initial interview is not a big deal. Don't worry about it. Now go do some pushups, pullups, situps, leg lifts, run, run, run, you know the drill. Good Luck!