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Private Investigator

Source: National Skills Bulletin
Salary Range
€26k - €45k
Career Zone

In Brief...

Investigates individuals, organisations, or events on behalf of a client, and reports findings.

Knowledge

  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service 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.
  • Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Clerical Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Knowledge areas are ranked by their importance to this career

Skills

  • Active Listening 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.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Skills are ranked by their importance to this career

Work Environment

Private Investigators typically work in the following Career Sectors:

Security
Security, Defence & Law Enforcement

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Most commonly reported Work Activities

  • Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

 

 

The Work

Private investigators (PIs) use skills of observation, detection and surveillance to lawfully gather information that will be useful to their clients. The work of a PI falls into three areas: individual, corporate, and legal.  
 
Individual work is done when an individual hires an investigator. This may involve, for example, tracing missing persons. A PI may also spend time observing the actions of someone who - according to the client - is acting improperly (as in a divorce case)  
 
Corporate work can be for large or small businesses. It can involve investigating individuals, groups or companies, who the client suspects are making false insurance claims or embessling funds. Sometimes a business needs to combat shoplifting or theft by employees. Some large businesses are concerned about industrial espionage  
 
Legal work is done for solicitors. It usually involves taking witness statements about accidents or crimes, investigating defence alibis, and serving writs and other legal documents. Private investigators have to keep detailed and accurate records of their work.

 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

  • Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
  • Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
  • Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
  • Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
  • Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
  • Obtain and analyse information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
  • Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
  • Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
  • Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
  • Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.

Further Information

Qualities - Private Investigator

As a private investigator you may find yourself working alone for long periods. However, at times you will also be part of a surveillance team, so you will need to be able to work effectively with others.  
 
When on surveillance work it is important that you are able to remain unnoticed for long periods. Self discipline and high levels of concentration are needed as you may have to remain in one place (sitting in a car for example) for a whole day or night.  
 
You need to be methodical, precise and objective when gathering evidence; private investigators are bound by the same rules of evidence as the police. You will need a high standard of literacy for writing reports.  
 
Excellent interpersonal skills are also needed, as you will deal with all kinds of people. If you are taking a statement you need to be able to put people at ease. Dealing with clients in cases such as divorce needs sensitivity. You may sometimes have to deal with people who are impatient or angry.  
 
You need to have a good basic knowledge of the law and legal procedure. The ability to use electronic equipment such as tape recorders, cameras and video cameras is necessary, as is the ability to drive.

Interests - Private Investigator

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entry - Private Investigator

It is unusual to enter this field without previous work experience. Most new entrants have a background in security work, either with the police or Armed Forces, and some have worked in the legal profession. 

The Licensing of Private Investigators in Ireland comes into effect from the 1st November 2015. See The Private Security Authority (PSA).  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Security operations, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 4-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Police & Security Studies, Pre-Garda & Security Studies, Security & Criminology, Security, Criminology & Legal Studies, Security Operation Management, Forensics, Criminology & Psychology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship:Sales, ICT Cybersecurity Apprenticeships NFQ level 6, apprenticeships in area of crime detection are yet to be developed Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Cybercrime and IT Security, Law, Legal Studies, Criminology, Forensic Investigation and Analysis, Psychology NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Management, Crime scene investigation science, international Security & Conflict Studies, Criminology, Forensic Psychological Studies, NFQ level 9 Forensic accounting NFQ level 6 (special purpose)

As Private investigators are often self employed there are a number of supports as you set up and develop your practice. 

Local enterprise offices: Business start up support & mentoring 

ILDN Local Area partnerships: Enterprise support 

Finuas Legal Skillnet 

Private Security Authority Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Pay & Salary - Private Investigator

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Salary depends on sessional & pro rata rates of services. 

Data Source(s):
Erieri / Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

Labour Market Updates - Private Investigator

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels have declined annually since 2020 for this occupation, resulting in a negative growth rate for the five-year annual average. There were a small number of employment permits issued for legal counsel across a number of sectors including ICT and the financial sector. However, the professional, scientific and technical activities sector accounts for the majority of employment in this occupation.

Useful Contacts - Private Investigator

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