Height, weight and physique are also largely unimportant for the private investigator as, unlike television and film detectives, real life private investigators rarely get into fights and life-threatening danger is rare.

A police background definitely eases the transition from paid or unemployed worker into the ranks of self-employed private investigator or detective, as will certain other skills and attributes almost all of which can be acquired in time. 

Forcefulness and persistence are essential, along with keen eyesight, good observation skills, and patience to spend long nights in your car awaiting the off-chance the subject of your assignment makes an appearance to prove or disprove your client/s suspicions. 

You do not need a licence (except for a credit licence) or official approval to operate in Britain, unlike the United States and some other countries.  However, you must be organised and businesslike, if only to ensure you are in the right place at the right time.  You do need good health, stamina, the ability to defend yourself in dangerous situations and to stay awake during long, boring surveillance jobs.  Impartiality and empathy are vital attributes of the successful investigator who must judge a case from all parties’ points of view. 

A smart appearance is vital to investigators expecting repeat assignments, so out with the grubby raincoat, bottles of booze and foldaway bed so characteristic of big screen investigators.

You won’t necessarily require an office or special business premises as many tasks will involve placing telephone calls for research purposes and arranging interviews with witnesses and other public and private authorities at their premises.  In fact, some investigators work almost entirely from home, combing telephone directories and the Internet for clues to missing persons’ whereabouts and negotiating deals on outstanding debts, while venturing out just a few hours each week.

You will need transport of some kind, especially if you prefer the active life driving from one case to the next, delivering court documents, interviewing witnesses, following and photographing subjects, and so on.

Looking The Part

How should a private investigator look?  Smartly dressed or casual?  Immaculate or scruffy?  Does it really matter?  In fact, yes, appearance is important, especially to prospective clients.  The person who takes care over his appearance probably takes pride in his work, too.  Private investigators are business people and like any other self-employed person used to regularly meeting the public, it is important to create a good first impression.

A major U.S. author and private investigator says his suit is perhaps his most important piece of business equipment.  It helps him feel in control of sometimes difficult and unusual situations and gains him respect, too, from peers and potential clients.  But there are times, he says, when the situation favours casual clothing, such as long surveillance jobs or when driving lengthy distances. 

But, if he’s meeting a client or doesn’t know what the day might hold, he opts for the suit over casual attire.  Clothing does not need to be expensive or carry a designer label, but it does need to be hard-wearing and clean.  Avoid dry clean only garments that might need cleaning every day – very costly!

Clothing can be expensive and the chances are you will go through more garments than the average suit wearer so always add something to your fee to cover wear and tear and cleaning costs.

Several pairs of shoes are needed, dressy for meeting clients, casual styles for long surveillance jobs and when jeans and sweater are the order of the day.  Driving shoes are also a good idea on long drives or when following on foot.

Trenchcoats, long favoured by television private investigators, are actually a great idea for carrying and concealing equipment, although black tends to be highly obvious, making the wearer stand out from the crowd, rather than mingle with his surroundings.  Beige and tan tend to be less conspicuous.  Bright, jazzy designs are out if you want to stay in business.

Personal hygiene and cleanliness are also vital to the private investigator who may be moving fast and sweating.  B.O. – Body Odour – is horrid, no matter how long or how hard you work.  Make a daily shower an irreplaceable part of your early morning routine.  Carry a good deodorant spray to keep you smelling good all day long.  Shave twice daily unless you sport a moustache or beard.  That early morning stubble does little to impress old-fashioned clients who may contribute the bulk of your earnings.

Clothing and accessories to protect life and limb are essential accoutrements for the aspiring and established private investigator especially dealing primarily in criminal cases and espionage who will find bullet-proof clothing and other protective garments are absolutely essential.

Personal Life!

The investigator’s home life is rarely one of perfect bliss.  It’s a fact that personal and health problems seem to come with the territory. 

Stress is particularly common, after all it can’t be easy working on a knife’s edge, encountering dangerous and antagonistic parties or witnesses, hoping you won’t spend too much time pursuing one low-paid assignment when another deadline is approaching fast or you’re running out of clues for your best paid job in months.  

Relationships can be hard to form and you will rarely know which new acquaintance to trust as a friend or avoid for fear of damaging your professional reputation.

Many private investigators’ greatest concern is spending long periods away from home, sometimes days, often weeks.  You might not see your loved ones for days on end, especially if you work mainly at night while they sleep, and you sleep during the day when your partner and children are at school or working. 

Sadder still is the fact that alcoholism is rampant among private investigators whose assignments often find them interviewing witnesses in bars hoping the alcohol will make the truth flow more freely. 

Importantly, the successful private investigator knows a clear mind is essential to his job.  So take non-alcoholic refreshments during working hours and quick thinking and fast decision-making powers will be no problem to you.  Finally, family and private dates in the investigator’s diary frequently take second place to a new urgent case or sudden and important development in an ongoing assignment.  Time and tide will not wait for time in your diary.  Good friends and family usually will!

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