Private Detectives and Investigators
Detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment, or seek, examine,
and compile information.
Tasks
•Write reports and case summaries to document investigations.
•Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax and legal filings, and other resources
in order to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
•Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, and disturbances in order to solve cases, to
identify criminal activity, and to gather information for court cases.
•Conduct background investigations of individuals, to obtain information about an individual's
character, financial status or personal history.
•Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
•Testify at hearings and court trials to present evidence.
•Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons, or
information about individuals' character or financial status.
•Observe and document activities of individuals in order to detect unlawful acts or to obtain
evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
•Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
•Perform undercover operations such as evaluating the performance and honesty of employees by
posing as customers or employees.
Knowledge
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the
meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and
personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services,
and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government
regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word
processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other
office procedures and terminology.
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in
strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production
methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment,
and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the
financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their
applications.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies
to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data,
property, and institutions.
Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability,
personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the
assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Skills Need to become a Private Investigator or Private Detective
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of
alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to
choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related
documents.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future
problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Abilities
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented
through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will
understand.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers
that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or
conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does
not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will
understand.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in
writing.
Work Activities
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining
information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant
sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose
the best solution and solve problems.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or
verifying information or data.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of
information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the
organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other
external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and
software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize,
organize, and accomplish your work.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and
cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and
individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or
standards.
Work Context
Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others
(face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.
Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the
job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work — To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather
than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals
or teams in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in
performing this job?
Letters and Memos — How often does the job require written letters and memos?
Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — How do the decisions an employee makes
impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job
experience, or an Associates degree.
Related Experience Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these
occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or
several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to
perform the job.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving
both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized
apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational
skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food
service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance
sales agents.
Work Styles
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger,
and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little
or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related
issues and problems.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers
to work-related problems.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement
goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Values
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own
and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to
use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are
Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership,
and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority,
Recognition and Social Status.