This week’s career memes take a humorous look at private investigators, otherwise known as private eyes or private detectives.
Private investigators discover and analyse information they obtain via interviews, surveillance and computer searches to determine facts about legal, financial or personal matters. They can conduct this work for businesses, attorneys or individuals.
Sometimes private investigators may have to present this evidence in court, when it comes to computer crimes, information theft or fraudulent insurance claims, for example.
Much of private investigators’ work involves technology. They may use cameras for surveillance or they may need to recover deleted e-mails, documents and text messages. They may also search computer databases. Their duties often depend on clients’ needs.
Private investigators will probably require a licence in order to work, which involves being inside and outside an office. The work may also involve irregular hours.
Many private investigators have a college education, and a background in law, security, criminal justice or police science wouldn’t go amiss. More specialised private investigators would require more specific education and skills.
The average salary for a private investigator in the UK is stg£33,000, according to MySalary.co.uk.
