Private Investigating

suburbanwifey

Wanno wrote: »

Thanks very much for that! Not sure whether my current situation is relevant to this post.
I finished a FTC in October and decided to change my career path away from investigation and because my personal situation suddenly altered. I was a specialist for a number of years in various types of investigative roles so would have thought my advice was relevant. Just because I am currently unemployed doesn't mean I am not qualified to offer advice.
Yes, it is a stressful job in some areas, some with huge hours attached, and some are enjoyable.

NO offense was meant, I was just curious as to how stressful being an investigator was and if that 'job related stress' was the reason you left that particular career. I was reading your other thread with interest and deep sympathy for you, so when I saw this one I just put two and two together and got four.

I've always thought that job would be a great job, but listening to some of the descriptions here, I'm no longer thinking that it would be...sounds hard work, stressful and at times tedious, but goes with the territory I suppose. Highly paid though, so does have its perks!

Wanno

suburbanwifey wrote: »

NO offense was meant, I was just curious as to how stressful being an investigator was and if that 'job related stress' was the reason you left that particular career. I was reading your other thread with interest and deep sympathy for you, so when I saw this one I just put two and two together and got four.

I've always thought that job would be a great job, but listening to some of the descriptions here, I'm no longer thinking that it would be...sounds hard work, stressful and at times tedious, but goes with the territory I suppose. Highly paid though, so does have its perks!

I'm sorry - I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Ive had to many set backs and rejections recently and thought you were putting the boot in.

Investigation roles are great fun don't get me wrong. In my very first role I would have worked 24/7 i enjoyed it so much. I have unfortunately worked for some rotten employers recently.

The things to think about with this type or role are:
large case load so you really have to learn to deal with chasing all the time, things required yesterday and unreasonable expectations. You have to be able to switch off to in the small amount of hours you may have off!
It can be super stressful.
You can be threatened, shouted/spat at.
Huge amount of paperwork, auditing, waiting around, emotionally very difficult to deal with conclusions or conveying bad news to people every day.
Depending on the thing you are investigating it can be a very negative experience and no one will be happy with the results that you find. In others very positive. And the results can really mean something to someone.
I have been highly paid and lowly paid.

Saying all this, I hope to get a job - please soon- in another investigative role which hopefully will be more rewarding that the last few years. I hope the posted really does look into how to get an entry level position as this is by far the best way of gaining the necessary skills.

suburbanwifey

Wanno wrote: »

I'm sorry - I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Ive had to many set backs and rejections recently and thought you were putting the boot in.

Investigation roles are great fun don't get me wrong. In my very first role I would have worked 24/7 i enjoyed it so much. I have unfortunately worked for some rotten employers recently.

The things to think about with this type or role are:
large case load so you really have to learn to deal with chasing all the time, things required yesterday and unreasonable expectations. You have to be able to switch off to in the small amount of hours you may have off!
It can be super stressful.
You can be threatened, shouted/spat at.
Huge amount of paperwork, auditing, waiting around, emotionally very difficult to deal with conclusions or conveying bad news to people every day.
Depending on the thing you are investigating it can be a very negative experience and no one will be happy with the results that you find. In others very positive. And the results can really mean something to someone.
I have been highly paid and lowly paid.

Saying all this, I hope to get a job - please soon- in another investigative role which hopefully will be more rewarding that the last few years. I hope the posted really does look into how to get an entry level position as this is by far the best way of gaining the necessary skills.

Gosh, that does sound an awful lot to have to cope with, I hope the next role you get will be much less stressful and more enhancing of life rather than destructive. I am sorry you took my comment the wrong way and feel happier now that you know it wasn't.

I think we all get certain ideas of what certain jobs entail and the role of an investigator does have a certain appeal, maybe we all watch too much telly

Good Luck and I wish you well.

Justicia

Ninpin wrote: »

I have speculatively applied for work experience at some places near me, but have heard nothing back!

As you can imagine, they get MANY speculative applications from people who are interested.

That's the problem you will find for most (if not all) agencies/organisations at present. They are generally looking for freelance s/e contractors rather than employees and definately experience, so that they can immediately get out there and do it - very little investment in training beginners as there are plenty of experienced resources already across the country that can be sourced when needed. Can be a very closed industry, with contacts being very much protected (call who you know and have worked with a long time to do a job on your behalf).

I speak from experience of being a contracted PI in a 'past (but recent) life.'

By the way, the process serving and court advocacy were among my favourite parts!

Sorry I can't be more positive. As already mentioned, your best bet would be to get into a job position alongside the industry, get experience, make contacts and shift across. Not likely to be very simple though.

Arbitrax

If you want to flex your investigative muscle, but maybe don't want to deal with serving court notices or collecting debts, might I suggest giving the insurance industry a look? A claims adjuster has to do quite a bit of detective work to piece together forensic and witness evidence when assessing an insurance claim, so might be right up your street!

Preferred entry requirements would be a business degree, but I'm sure if you rang one of the big companies they would let you shadow a claims adjuster for a week to see if you like it or not.

Happy hunting!

Ninpin

Thanks for all the replies.

It sound like it is a very hard job to get into, but I shall certainly have a look at the suggestions you've made.

I have had many 'proper jobs' but there is nothing wrong with wanting to better your career.

I trained as a video editor and have spent years volunteering and doing anything I can to get an editing job, but it hasn't worked out for me so I am trying to work out what else I could do with my life.

I would eventually like to set up my own business so am trying to think of things I could do to that end.

DCFC79

Not another thread about being a PI, did you read this thread as it also gives a bit of info

space_rider

A friend of mine signed up to be a PI and put several thousands of £s into it. It didn`t make anywhere near the amount of money the franchise suggested and he had to close the business with a big loss.