| You've seen the movies. A dashing private eye | | | | enforcement. Applicants will need to pass a |
| solves the crime, gets the girl, and drives into the | | | | background check, provide references, and of |
| sunset in a shiny red Ferrari. Ah... if only real life | | | | course, pay a fee. Although this process may |
| could be like that. Chances are, your job is a little | | | | take several months, the costs involved are |
| less exciting. No murders to solve, no damsel in | | | | usually less than a thousand dollars, making the PI |
| distress, and hopefully, no car chases. Most of us | | | | business an affordable start-up. |
| settle into a career that's a little more mundane | | | | What if you don't have the required experience? |
| than your typical crime drama. And yet, some of | | | | As long as you can pass a background check you |
| us don't. | | | | should be able to begin working for a licensed |
| While most private eyes won't remind you of | | | | private investigator. This is a great way to get |
| James Bond or Sam Spade, the fact is that | | | | started in this business. By working for an |
| thousands of people have chosen to forsake the | | | | established agency you can gain the experience |
| cubicle and become professional investigators. | | | | and skills required to break out on your own, if |
| They come in all shapes and sizes and work all | | | | you so choose. Many investigators continue |
| types of cases. From insurance fraud to wrongful | | | | working for an agency, focusing on the cases and |
| death to cheating spouses, private eyes handle | | | | leaving the hassles of running the business to |
| just about every type of case you can imagine. | | | | someone else. Then again, being your own boss is |
| Some own large corporations while others | | | | one of the main reasons to become a private |
| operate from home. Many PIs only work | | | | investigator. Few other professions allow you the |
| part-time, generating extra income and building | | | | freedom enjoyed by private eyes. |
| their expertise. The work can be exciting and | | | | So, how do you get started? Begin by checking |
| very rewarding, offering a chance to do | | | | the internet for licensed private detectives in your |
| something important and profitable. The question | | | | area. Contact the owners and ask them if they |
| is, how do you become a private eye? | | | | could use some part-time help. Be sure to |
| Most states require private investigators to be | | | | emphasize any skills or experience you may have |
| licensed. Usually, the applicant must possess a | | | | like photography or computer knowledge. Be |
| clean background with no felony convictions. | | | | willing to be flexible with hours and pay. |
| Additionally, experience in the investigative field is | | | | Remember, you must get your foot in the door |
| usually a must. In New York, for example, | | | | before you can be licensed. Take some time to |
| applicants for a PI license are require to have | | | | find out if this line of work is for you. It isn't for |
| either three years of experience as an | | | | everyone, but if you've got what it takes, you |
| investigator or twenty years of experience in law | | | | may never look back! |