Private Detectives and Investigators

In-Demand

Private Detectives and Investigators - Explore Careers | GoEducate

What are Private Detectives and Investigators

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

Wage and Employer Trends

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Common Job Titles

Paranormal Investigator

Field Investigator

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Private Investigator

Investigator

Surveillance Investigator

Associate Contract Investigator

Assistant House Detective

Private Detective

Private Eye

Investigative Research Specialist

Medical Legal Investigator (MLI)

Personality & Work Styles

Integrity

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Self-Control

Perseverance

Stress Tolerance

Achievement Orientation

Self-Confidence

Initiative

Intellectual Curiosity

Work Activities

Getting Information

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Documenting/Recording Information

Working with Computers

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing Data or Information

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Work Environment

Telephone Conversations

E-Mail

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Freedom to Make Decisions

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Contact With Others

Time Pressure

Spend Time Sitting

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Skills You Will Receive

Active Listening

Speaking

Critical Thinking

Reading Comprehension

Writing

Active Learning

Monitoring

Learning Strategies

Mathematics

Science

Other Attributes Important To Know

Oral Comprehension

Written Comprehension

Oral Expression

Written Expression

Fluency of Ideas

Originality

Problem Sensitivity

Deductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

Information Ordering

Related Careers

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts

Intelligence Analysts

Police Identification and Records Officers

Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Compliance Officers

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Technology/Tools Used

Graphics or photo imaging software

Electronic mail software

Web page creation and editing software

Information retrieval or search software

Data base user interface and query software

Spreadsheet software

Office suite software

Presentation software

Operating system software

Word processing software

Work Values

Achievement

Independence

Recognition

Working Conditions

Relationships

Support

Knowledge You Will Receive

Administration and Management

Administrative

Economics and Accounting

Sales and Marketing

Customer and Personal Service

Personnel and Human Resources

Production and Processing

Food Production

Computers and Electronics

Engineering and Technology

Education Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent

Job Zone 3

Tasks Associated with This Career

Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.

Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.

Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.

Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.

Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.

Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.

Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.

Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.

Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.

Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.