Cala,

I could not agree more with Tam. This is an improper question in an improper setting.

Although I understand and sympathize with your feeling in need of support, this is just way out of line and endangers your case in every way.

What happened to just answering questions as truthfully as possible. You cannot possibly have any idea of the impact your answers have, especially when they are not sincere and peppered with opinions and experiences of other people.

I have investigated persons who had been coached by personal friends, (police officers, no less). Their answers, based on that advice, resulted in a very negative result and may have (I never knew the results of my cases), cost them them their jobs and any chance of finding another position in their chosen professions.

I felt terrible for them when I had to confront them with the the proof of their deceptions and they had to make an official statement which will remain in their history forever.

These were (usually) good people who were nervous about the interview and ended up making a 'Federal Case' out of something minor.

This sort of request should be strongly discouraged in the future, for our own sakes.

Anne