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Career Exploration

Private Detectives and Investigators

Also called: Investigator, Loss Prevention Detective, Loss Prevention Officer, Private Investigator

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Safety and Government

  • law and government
  • public safety and security

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Initiative
  • Persistence

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Operating system software

  • Microsoft operating system
  • Microsoft Windows

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $52,120

Education

Bachelor's degree or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.