| I often get inquiries about people who are | | | | - Photography |
| interesting in this profession. Some looking for a | | | | - Locating assets through public records |
| career change, others for excitement. | | | | - Meetings |
| You can get the first, you probably will not get | | | | - Court testimony |
| the second. A private investigator is merely a fact | | | | - Writing Reports |
| finder and a truth teller. Nothing more. We have | | | | How does one get into this line of work? If you |
| no special powers. This is a highly regulated | | | | have the required experience and education you |
| profession. | | | | can get your own license in almost every state. |
| The job most people expect, from TV, and the | | | | No experience? Looking for a career change? |
| media does not exist. | | | | Then the procedure is like applying for any other |
| Skills you need: | | | | job. Resume, well written cover letter and |
| - Knowledge of public records | | | | excellent interview skills. |
| - Knowledge of privacy laws | | | | You will be competing with other people, most |
| - Computer skills | | | | likely. Retired police officers, former military or |
| - Excellent grammar and writing skills | | | | insurance investigators. If you have no formal |
| - Interview training and skills | | | | training or applicable experience it could be an uphill |
| - Knowledge of the court system | | | | battle. |
| Examples of daily work: | | | | You must be cognizant of privacy laws, |
| - Visiting Court to locate records | | | | eavesdropping and wiretapping and laws regarding |
| - Locating other public records on line or in person | | | | access to and using the information that is |
| - Locating witnesses | | | | avaiable to investigators. |
| - Interviewing witnesses | | | | |