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Romantic notion -

Many of us have a romanticized idea of what a PI looks like, based on movies and books, for instance. But just like most spies don’t go around in tuxedos sipping on Martinis, it’s very unlikely that you’ll find a PI wearing a trench coat and a fedora.

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Education -

So, do you need to go to college to become a PI? Well, not quite, but it can certainly help. A private eye with a college degree may be better prepared for the job.

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Education -

Having a college degree will also help the PI land a job in a firm. While there isn’t a specific degree for prospective private eyes, the following might be good choices: Law, Computer Forensics, Business Management, Criminal Justice or Criminology, and even Political Science.

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Most PIs need a license -

This will obviously depend on the country (or state) they work in, but most will need a license to legally operate as private investigators.

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License -

In the US, for instance, there are different laws and regulatory agencies, depending on the state. Some states, including Alaska and Wyoming, don't require investigators to have a specific PI license, but a business license is often required.

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They need to know the law -

While PIs are not lawyers, it certainly helps if they're up-to-date with the law. Particularly in the areas they specialize in. Going rogue, like some PIs do in movies, will most likely get them in serious trouble with the law.

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They need to know the law -

University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education instructor and investigator, Robert Mullins, gives a good example: "There are a great many ways you can end up in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act or run up against the right to privacy."

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They must be tech-savvy -

The days of pen and paper, binoculars, and film cameras are over. Things are a lot more sophisticated now, and PIs must be on top of the latest technologies.

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They must be tech-savvy -

Gathering data and evidence, surveillance, and other tasks PIs must engage in are very much dependent on the use of modern technology.

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Clients -

PIs work with a wide variety of clients, so good communication skills are a must for any professional. Not only that, but they will need great people skills in general to be able to talk and get the information they need from individuals (both clients, and those they talk to throughout the course of an investigation).

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Types of clients -

The book ‘How to Start a Private Investigation Business: A Proven Blueprint for Success’ details several types of clients a PI may encounter. These include “The Adventurer” (who wants to get involved in the investigation).

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Types of clients -

Other examples include “The Cheapskate” (for whom money will dictate whether or not they will hire the PI), and the “Miracle Seeker,” who gives the PI barely any information to work with.

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Types of clients -

Like with any other profession, many potential clients are time-wasters. And there are even those who hire PIs and expect them to break the law.

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Tasks -

Some of the tasks PIs undertake include running background checks, conducting interviews, searching for missing persons, or searching through public and court records.

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Tasks -

But then there is also more juicy stuff, such as getting evidence of a spouse's infidelity, or investigating potential theft or fraud within a company.

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It can be boring -

Patience is one of the most important virtues a PI must possess. Jobs such as surveillance can indeed be extremely monotonous.

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It can be boring -

Unlike most police surveillance situations, PIs work alone, and must avoid distractions (and even pee breaks...), otherwise they might just miss something important.

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It’s not a 9 to 5 -

A PI’s working schedule can be unpredictable, depending on what they are working on. "It's hard to nail down a specific window of working hours when you're a private investigator," points the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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It’s not a 9 to 5 -

A PI might have to spend long nights doing surveillance, or might need to start early in the morning to track someone’s steps throughout the day.

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It’s not always a solitary job -

While much of a PI’s job is usually done alone, there are times when working with other people is necessary.

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It’s not always a solitary job -

This includes the police and even other PIs. In fact, some complex investigations call for the collaboration of several PIs working together.

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Research and writing -

The job involves a whole lot of research and writing. This includes both literal paperwork and digital files.

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Research and writing -

Things such as investigation reports, incident reports, and case summaries are just a few examples. Then there are also interviews and other records that are part of the investigation file.

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Legal compliance -

Ensuring proof of legal compliance is also of utmost importance for a PI. Keeping a track record of all steps taken is important to prove no laws have been broken.

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It can be dangerous -

Being a PI is not exactly a risk-free job. This is particularly true when tasks such as surveillance have to be conducted at night in rough neighborhoods.

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It can be dangerous -

And, of course, the PI is always at risk of being caught while looking for a cheating spouse, investigating potential criminals, and so on. The consequences may be dire.

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The pay varies -

Depending on the job and the client, PIs may charge anything from US$50 per hour, to several hundred. It really depends on the PI, the client, and the job.

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Demand for PIs is increasing -

One would think that with the internet and modern technologies being more accessible to everyone, that the job of a PI would decrease in popularity. But it turns out it’s quite the contrary.

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Demand for PIs is increasing -

In the US alone, an employment growth rate of 13% is expected by 2030.

Sources: (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4) (University of Washington) (Grunge)

See also: Do you have what it takes to become a spy?

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