If you love to investigate and are good with details, you
might consider becoming a private detective or investigator. It
can be a rewarding business/career, but can often carry odd
hours and possibly some upsetting situations. But overall, if
you like helping people and have the skills needed, it might
just be right for you.
Read the following article with more information on getting
started (or
click here for a step-by-step guide):
Set Up Your Private Detective Service Website:
Click here to start your 10-day free trial.
Steps to a Fab Job As a Private
Investigator
You have seen them on television and in the movies. They use
their knowledge and skills to solve cases when no one else can,
and have exciting and challenging work.
As a private investigator you too can enjoy challenging work
that helps people in a meaningful way. Whether you're reuniting
an adoptee with her birth parents, helping to solve a computer
crime, or keeping an innocent man out of jail, the work of a
private investigator can make a big difference to many people's
lives. In addition to the other rewards of this job, the
potential exists for a successful investigator to earn up to
$100,000 a year.
If you are interested in breaking into this career, here are
some steps you can follow, based on the
FabJob Guide to Become a Private Investigator.
1. Develop your detective skills
Vital skills for a private investigator include observation and
listening skills, critical thinking (you don't just take
information at face value), research skills, problem-solving
ability, and verbal and written communication skills. It also
helps if you have computer skills and can take photographs. Many
of these skills can be self-taught with online resources.
2. Consider taking a course
A criminal justice background or education can be a big help in
getting hired. There are many private investigator training
courses available, including some you can take online. Make sure
you investigate any course to ensure you get what you pay for -
consider it your first PI assignment.
3. Learn about licensing requirements
In most cases, the only qualification you absolutely need to
become a private investigator is a license from your state or
province to operate as an agent. Generally, this will require
you to be 18 years of age, of sound mind and with a clean
criminal record. In some states you may also need to pass a
course or exam. Licensing for PIs varies from state to state
(and province to province), so make sure you find out what is
required to operate in your area. Your local police service,
government, or PI association should be able to direct you to
what is required.
4. Get experience
Start by taking stock of the experience you already have. If you
have ever worked in any kind of legal or research position, or
done security work, you are already a step ahead of the
competition. However, almost any experience could be helpful at
some point. For example, if you have ever worked in retail, you
might be able to do undercover work at a department store. If
you feel your experience is limited, consider asking a working
PI to serve as a mentor to you and guide you towards success.
5. Find job openings
Once you have some experience, your next step will likely be
finding work with an agency or other employer. You can contact
PI agencies, lawyers and insurance firms in your area to meet
with them and offer your services. If you aren't having much
luck, initially offering your services for free might help you
land your first few cases and get you on your way.
6. Start working towards a specialty
Many private investigators choose an area to specialize in, such
as missing persons, background investigations, computer crime,
executive protection, forensics, or insurance fraud, among
others. When you are starting out, get involved in a variety of
cases and see what satisfies or interests you the most. Most
successful PIs eventually choose an area or two of
specialization and set out to establish themselves as experts on
these topics.
7. Set up your own agency
Many private investigators eventually choose to start their own
agency. Even though not all states require it, it is a good idea
to get a few years' investigative experience under your belt
before you go into business for yourself. Also, make sure that
you plan adequately for marketing your agency, as this is an
area many would-be PIs overlook - cases will not fall into your
lap, so be prepared to market yourself to potential clients
through a variety of methods.
8. Become an expert in your field
Once your agency is up and running, you need to continue to
develop yourself as a private investigator to stay current and
competitive. One of the best ways to do this is to become a
recognized expert in your field. This can be accomplished
through methods such as presenting seminars to local business
groups, publishing articles, and getting involved with local and
national PI associations. Once you an the expert in your chosen
niche, you may find yourself so busy that you will be hiring PIs
yourself just to keep up!
Jennifer James is co-author of the
FabJob Guide to Become a Private Investigator. The guide
offers detailed information about how you can break into this
career and get hired as a private investigator. Visit
Fab Job
for information.
How do you get started?
1. Learn more about getting educated, setting up your marketing
plan and gaining new clients.
Click here for your
private investigator guide.
2. Attract Clients: For a successful
private investigator business, you need a way to have your potential
clients to learn about you, your business and your services. A
great way to reach your target customers is by setting up your
own website. It's easy to do with the
Internet Based
Family website builder...and you can try it free
for 10 days.
