How to become a Private Investigator

How to become a Private Investigator Need a new career? Sometimes you just need to do a little digging…  Private Investigators (also known as PIs) are freelance detectives, hired by individuals to secretly collect evidence on a particular case.Potential cases they’re involved with could include everything from suspected theft, identity theft, and fraud, through to personal issues, like investigating a cheating spouse or tracking down missing persons.Some Private Investigators may also be employed by Lawyers and Solicitors to help gather information.Typical duties for a Private Investigator could include:Surveillance and counter-surveillanceTaking pictures and compiling evidenceInterviewing witnesses and conducting researchConducting background checks and running credit reportsProcess servingPerforming due diligence and debt recoveryIs it right for me?To become a Private Investigator, it will take excellent observation and surveillance skills, not to mention patience.In fact, despite the glamorous portraits of PIs o ften portrayed on TV, you’ll often be shadowing people for days, if not weeks, on end with very little action going on at all. In these instances, your concentration skills will also often be tested. Just one false move could ruin the whole operation.If you find it difficult to blend into a crowd, this may not be your true calling.Other key skills for a Private Investigator include:Excellent research skillsHonesty and integrityAttention to detailAnalytical and communication skillsThe ability to work on your own for long periodsTact and empathyWhat's it really like? I love my job. It’s kind of like being a detective, but with a bit more practical work thrown in. Don’t get me wrong, being a Private Investigator is hard work. The hours are long, the days are pretty lonely, and surveillance can be really, really boring. But the cases I work on are really interesting, and what I do can help catch criminals and change people’s lives. The best part is probably the variety. I could be working on an identity theft case one day, and helping someone track down their real parents the next. I’d say no two days are the same â€" if I didn’t hate that expression so much. Get qualifiedYou won’t need any formal qualifications in order to become a Private Investigator. However, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) may regulate this with official licensing in the future and so relevant diplomas  and specialised courses would be beneficial. Experience in the security sector may also help your chances of finding employment.