| If you are so excited by mysteries that you imagine | | | | down the road. |
| yourself as a private investigator, there is a series of | | | | 4. Set a budget. The reason for this step is your initial |
| steps that you will have to take before starting out on | | | | pay is not going to be very high, ensure you can |
| this career. This is true for any professional career, so | | | | survive on about $15.00/hr. In your budget include hours |
| knowing what you have to do to pay your dues | | | | you will not be paid for. This is a career with a lot of |
| ahead of time will save you some grief down the road. | | | | empty overtime, so bank on that. |
| 1. Find out what your state requires of private | | | | 5. Establish a fantastic resume and cover letter play up |
| investigators. It might insist upon your taking a course | | | | all of your skills and put any extra reading you do on |
| or a licensing exam, and you will definitely need a | | | | your "hobbies" section. |
| background check. You will need to look at a state | | | | 6. Look for some investigators in your area and send |
| agency for this such as secretary of state, | | | | them your resume. You may find some directories on |
| department of justice, and so on. If you just can't figure | | | | the Internet, or you can simply look in the Yellow |
| out how to get this information, call a general number | | | | Pages. Be willing to relocate, it will make you more |
| and they will point you in the right direction. | | | | hirable. |
| 2. Find out as much as you can about standard law | | | | 7. Do yourself a favor and buy or ensure you have |
| and legal practice. If you have no knowledge in this | | | | access to the following equipment: camera with |
| area, either reconsider career choices, or get some. | | | | telephoto lens, video camera, car, computer, fax, and |
| Take some courses in Criminal Justice at your local | | | | cell phone. These are all standard private investigator |
| community college. Some classes on Civil Procedures | | | | tools, and you will add to your marketability to be |
| will be important as well. If you have taken an actual | | | | employed if you already own them. Since they will be |
| private investigators course, you will have a decent | | | | work related, you can write them off on your taxes. |
| knowledge of these subjects. | | | | 8. Try to find a job in a Federal Agency such as the |
| 3. Be prepared to work for someone at first. The | | | | FBI, Secret Service, CIA, etc. This is certainly difficult, |
| reason for this is this will raise your credibility and make | | | | and applying is a job all in itself, but they are all very |
| clients flock to you. Establishing experience and a good | | | | good career choices. Having carried out all these |
| track record are key to successful careers in this | | | | steps, you will certainly be ready to branch out on your |
| business, so working for someone else for a little while | | | | own. |
| will go a long way in terms of getting your own clients | | | | |