Private investigator Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a private investigator, your enquiry work could range from personal issues, for example divorce, to company issues, like suspected theft.

You would normally do background research, which may involve asking questions and analysing information. Your work may also include:

• surveillance
• fraud investigation (for example, for insurance or accident claims)
• tracing missing people or pets
• handing legal documents to people (process serving)
• investigating commercial piracy (such as copying software illegally)
• background checks on employees.

You would usually work alone and you would often be self-employed.

Hours

Your hours of work could be irregular, and could include nights and weekends.

You would work in an office, but you would also spend a lot of time travelling and gathering information.

Income

Private investigators may earn between £12,500 and £25,000 a year.

Salaries for those with detailed legal knowledge working in corporate investigation can be £50,000 to £100,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You may not need any qualifications to start as a trainee investigator. However, you could find it difficult to find a paid trainee job (with a company or independent private investigator) without some relevant skills and knowledge.

If you want to be self-employed, you would need to have skills as an investigator and the ability to run your business and promote your services.

It would be useful to have a good standard of general education, as well as experience in a security-related sector (such as the police force). A driving licence is usually essential for this work.

You may increase your chances of finding paid work if you take a course such as the Academy of Professional Investigation (API) BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation. See the API website for details.

• Academy of Professional Investigation (API)

You could contact local private investigators to find out if you could accompany and observe someone at work (work shadowing) or if they have any vacancies. See the Association of British Investigators (ABI) website for a list of investigators.

Knowledge of process serving could increase your chances of finding work serving legal documents. See the ABI's Process Server's Guide on their website.

• Association of British Investigators (ABI)

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is looking into potential regulation of private investigation. This may mean that private investigators will need to have a licence in the future. Check the SIA website for details and updates.

• Security Industry Authority (SIA)

Training and development

Your training will vary depending on your work setting. For example:

• if you have a franchise with an investigation company, a range of courses may be available as part of your franchise agreement
• If you are employed by an investigation agency, you will usually receive training on the job from your employer
• if you are self-employed, you would need to organise your own training.

Courses that could help you develop your skills and knowledge include:

• a 2-day Foundation Course in Investigation, and a 5-day Professional Private Investigator course - see the Association of British Investigators (ABI) website for details of course providers
• Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) courses in tracing, and setting up in business
• Academy of Professional Investigation (API) BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation - you can complete this before or after you start working.

Once you are working, you could go on to take an NVQ Level 3 in Intelligence Analysis.

Skills and knowledge

To become a private investigator, you will need to have:

• good spoken and written communication skills
• excellent observational skills
• strong analytical skills
• self-confidence to present information in court
• basic computer skills
• a knowledge of the law
• honesty and integrity
• the ability to work independently
• a logical approach to your work
• patience and perseverance
• empathy with clients who may be distressed by your findings.

More information

Security Industry Authority (SIA)
PO Box 1293
Liverpool
L69 1AX
Tel: 0844 892 1025
www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk

World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI)
212 Piccadilly
London
W1J 9HG
Tel: 08709 099 970
www.wapi.com

Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI)
83 Guildfort Street
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 9JL
Tel: 0870 330 8622
www.ipi.org.uk

Academy of Professional Investigation (API)
Clair House
3-5 Clair Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 3DP
Tel: 01444 441 111
www.pi-academy.com

Association of British Investigators (ABI)
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel: 0871 474 0006
www.theabi.org.uk

Opportunities

Opportunities for work have increased in this area. However, competition is still strong.

You could find work with an investigation agency or buy a franchise. You could also set up your own business.

You can find lists of investigation agencies that you could contact about employment on the ABI, IPI and WAPI websites. The agencies listed all meet professional standards.

• Association of British Investigators (ABI)
• Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI)
• World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI)

You could also check publications such as the Professional Security Magazine for job opportunities.

• Professional Security Magazine

With experience, you could progress to senior investigator or team manager, or set up your own agency and have other investigators working for you.