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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Tasks
- Some of the tasks PIs undertake include running background checks, conducting interviews, searching for missing persons, or searching through public and court records.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Research and writing
- The job involves a whole lot of research and writing. This includes both literal paperwork and digital files.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Tasks
- Some of the tasks PIs undertake include running background checks, conducting interviews, searching for missing persons, or searching through public and court records.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Research and writing
- The job involves a whole lot of research and writing. This includes both literal paperwork and digital files.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
What's it like being a private investigator?
Hint: they don't wear trench coats and fedoras!
© Shutterstock
Private investigators, private detectives, private eyes, or simply PIs, are hired by individuals or companies to conduct investigations on a specific matter. From gathering evidence of a cheating spouse, to investigating fraud within a company, a PI’s job can vary a lot.
Though, thanks to media like movies and books, many of us have a romanticized (and distorted) view of what a PI really does, and how the job is performed. In this gallery, we investigate what it's actually like to be a private investigator. Curious? Then click on!
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