Career options are normally "thrown" at us in great quantity during our latter schooling years
and for most, making a decision on which career path to choose can often be a stressful time. Nowadays, the choices are wide and varied and if a survey was conducted to determine if you eventually chose your career of choice, I wonder what the proportion of yes answers compared
to no's would be. I suspect many would like the option to reconsider.
How many people chose a career
simply because of peer pressure? It's not until later in life that we reassess and look for a change. One of the emerging
career trends of recent years has been that of a private investigator. Yes, the private investigation business has been with
us for a long time but never before has it been considered in such great numbers as an alternative and rewarding career choice.
Did You Know?
You don't require a background in law enforcement to become a private
investigator. While it could be helpful, the cold hard fact is that most private investigators today have virtually little
or no training in law enforcement. In fact, with the advent of the internet, the private investigation business has been taken
to a whole new level. If you don't have a criminal history, then you are eligible.
Some Basic Requirements
While not everyone will be suited to the private investigator profession, attributes such as being able to
spend plenty of time on your own in the field coupled with the ability to handle irregular hours are good pre-requisites to
the job. Being a little streetwise will stand you in good stead as well as the ability to gather information either via research
or surveillance. If you have these qualities then there is every chance you could succeed as a private investigator.
Today's society dictates that the P.I. profession is a necessary commodity rather just an option for former
police officers as it once may have been. Crime comes in all shapes and sizes, whether it's insurance fraud, bank fraud,
business fraud, illegal online activities and the "old chestnut," infidelity.
Where Do You
Start?
Initially, check with your State Department as to the licensing requirements for private investigators.
In the US, licensing is required by some states but not others. As far as training is concerned you could get a basic skills
course at some schools but these are few and far between. Doing time with an existing firm or established P.I. is usually your best
best even if you have a background in law enforcement. On the job training is hard to beat and during your apprenticeship,
you will pick up on the ins and outs of the business.
Possessing basic computer skills will be a big plus in your favor. Online investigations have become an integral part of the P.I. business as well as the
ability to write reports. Believe it or not, while physical surveillance is an obvious attraction for many would be investigators,
truth is that the bulk of your work may be performed in the office or on the computer.
Becoming a private
investigator can be a rewarding and satisfying career choice. It can also be financially rewarding given time and experience
and your level of committment. Will it become a choice for children at school leaving age? Well, it's something we'll
have to continue some surveillance on.
Search for Private Investigator Jobs
in your area!
If you are so excited by mysteries that you imagine yourself as a private investigator, there is a series of steps that you will have to take before starting out on this career. This is true for any professional
career, so knowing what you have to do to pay your dues ahead of time will save you some grief down the road.
1.
Find out what your state requires of private investigators. It might insist upon your taking a course or a licensing exam,
and you will definitely need a background check. You will need to look at a state agency for this such as secretary of state,
department of justice, and so on. If you just can't figure out how to get this information, call a general number and
they will point you in the right direction.
2. Find out as much as you can about standard law and legal practice.
If you have no knowledge in this area, either reconsider career choices, or get some. Take some courses in Criminal Justice at your local community college. Some classes on Civil Procedures will be important as well. If you have taken an actual private investigators course, you
will have a decent knowledge of these subjects.
3. Be prepared to work for someone at first. The reason for this
is this will raise your credibility and make clients flock to you. Establishing experience and a good track record are key
to successful careers in this business, so working for someone else for a little while will go a long way in terms of getting
your own clients down the road.
4. Set a budget. The reason for this step is your initial pay is not going to be
very high, ensure you can survive on about $15.00/hr. In your budget include hours you will not be paid for. This is a career
with a lot of empty overtime, so bank on that.
5. Establish a fantastic resume and cover letter play up all of
your skills and put any extra reading you do on your “hobbies” section.
6. Look for some investigators in your area and send them your resume.
You may find some directories on the Internet, or you can simply look in the Yellow Pages. Be willing to relocate, it will
make you more hirable.
7. Do yourself a favor and buy or ensure you have access to the following equipment: camera
with telephoto lens, video camera, car, computer, fax, and cell phone. These are all standard private investigator tools,
and you will add to your marketability to be employed if you already own them. Since they will be work related, you can write
them off on your taxes.
8. Try to find a job in a Federal Agency such as the FBI, Secret Service, CIA, etc. This
is certainly difficult, and applying is a job all in itself, but they are all very good career choices. Having carried out
all these steps, you will certainly be ready to branch out on your own.
