Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
At a Glance
Private Detectives and Investigators earns a median of $52,370/yr with +6.0% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Dependability, Getting Information, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
$52,370/yr
+6.0%
4
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills & Requirements
Skills (10)
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.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge (8)
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.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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.
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.
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.
Abilities (13)
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Technology (8)
Work Activities (21)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Work Styles (3)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
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Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Community and Social Service · 193 shared skills
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Business and Financial Operations · 193 shared skills
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Healthcare Support · 193 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Legal · 193 shared skills
Office Clerks, General
Office and Administrative Support · 193 shared skills
Intelligence Analysts
Protective Service · 193 shared skills
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · 193 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
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