I recently was asked some questions in regards to what it is like being a private investigator. I asked my good friend who is a private investigator in New Jersey some questions about the job and give everyone more of an idea of what it is like to be a pi!
Q: Are you ever put in any danger with your cases?
A: There is always danger when going out into the field. By preparing and bringing the right equipment, you lessen the risk but it’s always present. If a case seems too dangerous you always have the option of not taking it.
Q: How do you start an investigation?
A: Gathering as much information from the client as possible. Charging all your batteries and gear. Planning out a route. Packing food and water. Filling your gas tank. Not counting administrative functions that is it in a nutshell.
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: Bring peace of mind to people who need help. Services range from surveillance (child custody, infidelity) to digital forensics and background checks.
Q: What kind of skills make for a good PI?
A: Patient, resourceful, street smart. Thinking “outside the box” and being able to be responsive on the spot.
Q: If you needed to locate someone, what’s the ideal information you need to start?
A: Last known address, First and last name. That is usually enough. Sometimes, I have far less. I would also add having a recent photograph.
Q: Do you use Internet services in your cases?
A: 50% of a private investigators workload can be completed using the internet. You always need to verify information but the start of your cases is by using the web.
Q: Longest you have ever worked on a case?
A: Two months or so… Not full time, every day but depending on the next moves of a court case can change the scope, and time you need to put in depending on what the client needs.
Q: What are tips you have for trailing people?
A: Find a sweet spot. Not too close, not too far. If it’s city driving you’re able to be much closer because your vehicle shouldn’t pop out at them. If you’re rural driving you do need to maintain a longer distance. Always be closer when a stoplight is approaching. The worst feeling is losing someone when the car ahead of you stops at a yellow light.
Q: What’s the oddest case you’ve ever worked on?
A: I try not to take ‘odd’ cases and I can’t be specific here… but I’d say working on any government cases can definitely qualify.
Q: What aspects of this career field brought you to this profession?
A: Usually interesting work and you get the feeling you’re helping someone. A lot of the things you learn from work you can apply some of the concepts to your real life.
Q: Why did you choose this profession?
A: I wanted to be a detective… this seemed close enough.
Q: What was the interview process like?
A: None, I made my own business.
Q: Did your career path change during your time in school?
A: Yes, I originally applied to the police academy and was grooming myself for that. After I didn’t make it in I decided to do Loss Prevention while setting my PI agency up.
Q: Would you enter this career field again?
A: Yes, its good work and people always need private investigators. The need will never fall and as technology improves our results will also get better.
Q: What would you do to improve the profession?
A: Make it easier for people to get into it. Can be a bit confusing for a new comer. It’s actually easier to start your own agency I think than get hired somewhere else. Maybe make the requirements more regulated… Some states it’s impossible to get licensed and in others it’s quite easy.
Q: What are the difficulties or challenges you have observed in the profession and how these challenges were overcome?
A: None of the work is easy. I think sitting in a car for eight hours can be extremely challenging. If you are prone to daydreaming you may miss your opportunity for the smoking gun. If you get into criminal defense investigations that is some of the most challenging work and usually doesn’t pay as well as the domestic side. To overcome these challenges you need to fail a couple times to learn from the mistakes and come back better the next time you try it. If that doesn’t work seeking external help from a mentor can also help.
Q: What is most difficult about your job? Why?
A: Working Holidays, long night hours, or really early. It’s usually never a set schedule and it always is dynamic. Not knowing when your next paycheck will come. One month you may make 10,000 and the next you make 0. Being able to budget and save your money for the dry periods is key.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: Being able to piece together a mystery is always a great time. You are truly helping someone and helping them through a crisis is very rewarding.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about your job?
A: Process serving. Knocking on doors is dangerous, doesn’t pay well and is generally not a fun time to begin with.
Hope you all enjoyed!
-Brandon
