The ideal qualities of a private investigator can at times appear obvious, an inquisitive nature and the ability to “hide in plain sight”.
With the work of a private investigator being varied, exciting and often fascinating, it can also involve long hours of research or surveillance with little reward. A far cry from what many people see as a glamorous job.
With the work of a private investigator being varied, exciting and often fascinating, it can also involve long hours of research or surveillance with little reward. A far cry from what many people see as a glamorous job.
Technical know-how
You will need skills in using computers, still cameras, video cameras and editing software, together with various other gadgets in order to gather information and assist you to document facts in a precise and methodical manner.
Intelligence and logical thinking
You will need the ability to analyse facts and data, integrate many different threads into a client case plan or report, and be able to draw accurate conclusions from the facts discovered.
Natural curiosity
You will most certainly need a natural curiosity that will drive you forwards to hunt down all the facts, to determine when something doesn’t feel quite right, and to be fully aware of your surroundings or subject matter, so you can tell when something doesn’t fit. Working on a “hunch” can often never be more true, but going off on a tangent wastes your time, and your clients money.
Excellent actor
You must be an excellent actor as you will often find yourself in situations when role-playing is essential to a case. You also need to be capable of acting naturally in a variety of situations so as not to raise suspicions. Blending into a situation comes with experience, having a “kit bag” with a change of clothes, even a hat, can, as old as it sounds, be a good cover.
Observation and memory skills
You will need to have acute observation and surveillance skills, excellent hearing and eyesight, and the ability to remember large quantities of information. In modern investigations having a body worn camera may not be required to produce evidence of an investigation, but can often give you the information you require to write a concise and detailed report of an event, where you need to jog your memory.
Quick reactions
You must have the ability to read a situation accurately, and to be able to react quickly to changes and circumstances. Surveillance techniques and the skills you will develop to bring an investigation to a successful conclusion are a prime example of this. Never be surprised by what a subject of enquiry can and will do.
Good communication skills
You need to be a confident speaker, able to think on your feet, a sympathetic listener with an understanding of sometimes complex situations, together with excellent public relations skills. With the services you provide, more often than not your client may feel the desire to give you a review on one of the on-line services available. You need to be aware that damage limitation could be something you need to think about, with client expectations and unreasonable demands running at such a high level.
These skills will be required as you advance through a career in private investigation. Being able to discuss with your client the service they require and then reporting the outcome over any investigation
Perseverance and objectivity
Long hours on surveillance may be boring, but you’ll need the ability to stay alert and focused on your subject. You also need to be able to see through your own prejudices and biases to view a situation objectively. You will also need the ability to distract from a situation, to view it objectively.
At Insight, we have an experienced team of investigators who use these skills and qualities every day to hunt down facts and get to the bottom of a case.
For more information and to speak to one our professional investigators call us now on the number below or use our contact us page.
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