Why Become a Private Investigator?

So what's the attraction of becoming a Private Investigator and why should you consider it? It's a good question and one that should be asked before you enter the multi billion dollar security industry as a Private Investigator.

While it may seem a glamorous occupation, nothing could be further from the truth. You will spend long hours just waiting around for the right moment, either to serve court papers or in the back of a vehicle waiting for someone to show up. There are also certain dangers if you don't take personal safety seriously. The best investigators tend to be considered logical and can blend in with various groups of people. Women tend to make good investigators and they can sometimes access information and premises that men cannot due to their ability to arouse considerably less suspicion, particularly in public areas such as schools or parks. The job often entails long hours, day and night, and you certainly need stamina and patience.

Be your own boss!

So given the fact that it can be laborious, boring and dangerous, why become a Private Investigator?

The first and obvious advantage is that of being your own boss. This is the dream of many people since it gives them the freedom to work the number of hours they choose and no-one can make them redundant. They are masters of their own destiny and the harder they work the more reward they get without the office politics and pressures of having a normal 9-5 boss. They can choose to work part-time or full-time and also fit the work around other commitments such as children or studies.

The entry risks are also low since the profession can be practiced part-time while still gainfully employed and only when you are happy do you need to give up paid employment and go full-time. You may, of course, choose to remain employed and carry on part-time as a Private Investigator, using the new job to earn extra money for those little luxuries of life!

Specialize in an area of YOUR choosing

You may choose to specialize in a particular type of investigation work, depending on your interests and skills. Some people choose a lucrative niche such as counter-espionage where a company suspects an employee of fraud or worse but they need evidence to support the termination of an employment contract or bring in the police for a formal investigation. These types of jobs require knowledge of the law and in particular what type of evidence is admissible in court and what is not.

Another advantage is that you can use existing skills to your advantage. If you have IT skills, for example, you can use these to track down information and behaviours that may have been deliberately hidden. Errant spouses are a common line of work and cell phones and computers are a common source of information for the Private Investigator.

Private Investigators have many different clients. They include:

• Government Agencies
• Banks and other Financial Institutions
• Businesses (both large and small)
• Private Individuals
• Lawyers and Paralegals

Always in high demand

If you think about these clients, and consider the current financial environment you will also understand that the demand for the services of a Private Investigator has never been higher. Governments are cracking down on cheats and frauds as they seek to reduce high levels of debt and provide cash for an ever increasing generation of pensioners. Insurance companies are being subjected to increasing claims that may not be all they seem and we are seeing the highest levels of marital and relationship problems ever. All this means that if you become a Private Investigator you will have more business than you can handle!

While demand is at an all time high, so also are the required skills and it is worth getting some suitable and relevant training. The best courses will cover all the skills you need, including:

• Finding people that have gone missing
• How to use the Internet to gain information
• How to market yourself and your Private Detective business
• Espionage methods and techniques of investigation
• How to deal with threats
• How to blend into any crowd
• Dealing with the Police

One more advantage of this line of work is that it does not matter what you currently do to make a living. While many Private Detectives have a law enforcement background, more do not and the best are the ones who have the personality and character traits that match this kind of work. If you are patient, logical, determined and can easily interact with other people then the chances are that you could be a perfect match to become a success as a Private Investigator!