Why do You Want to Become a Private Investigator?

Everyone wants to become a private investigator for different reasons.  I do believe to become a successful private investigator you need to understand your “Why” for becoming a private investigator.  What is going to be the driving force behind what you do, how hard you work, the integrity you have in the occupation, and what pushes you through the hard and uncomfortable things in this occupation.

What was my “Why” to become a private investigator?

My “Why” to become a private investigator and a “successful private investigator” was financially motivated.   When you read my story you will understand how I became a private investigator and how my path led to it.  I have written in-depth on how to become a private investigator here as well.

In short, I was newly married and working two jobs. I was delivering newspapers in the morning and working loss prevention full time. It was incredibly draining and very hard on my marriage. I had to work two jobs to create a decent income for my wife and me at that time. I was making money but I was involved in two dead-end jobs.  There was no future or upward movement available for me. I was desperate to find one job that would replace both incomes and where I had a chance for upward movement.

My wife and newborn child were my “Why” at that time.  And those two were an incredibly strong reason to work hard, learn as much as I could, push myself, and climb the company ladder. I even got my college degree at the same time.  I did all that because I had a driving force behind my decisions. It was always pushing and stretching me to make me grow as a private investigator and as a person.

Since those early times, our family has grown and our situation has changed a little.  My family is very much a part of my “Why” but I have added more reasons to drive me and my endeavors.  Even I need to reevaluate my “Why” from time to time to make sure it is strong enough to keep making me grow and push through difficult times.  I have noticed for me that when my “Why” for a specific project is forgotten or not big enough, I am not as diligent in that specific thing.  So I have to revisit that specific thing to make sure I have strong enough reasons to be doing it to make me successful at it.

Look Internally and Be Honest With Yourself

I think it is important, to be honest with yourself when it comes to determining why you want to be a private investigator. I feel it is those specific reasons that will help guide you along the right path of being a good and successful private investigator or possibly a bad one.

This isn’t about saying what sounds right or what you think other people want to hear.  You are going to want to sit down and write down the reasons you want to become a private investigator.  Not all your reasons have to be selfless. Mine originally had nothing to do with being a selfless endeavor. I had core skills that were a good fit for the job of a private investigator and I wanted to make better money.  I also liked tracking information and piecing together information to make sense of it.

Envision Your Future Self

As you are thinking deeply about your why I want you to envision your future self in like 5 years. Think about what you would like your life to look like concerning your family, occupation, health, etc. Click on the title link to do an exercise I think you will find useful as you are determining why you want to be a private investigator.

And if you are reading this and you are already a private investigator, envisioning your future may prompt different actions in your life now.

Reasons to Not Be a Private Investigator

For Name Sake

If your goal to become a private investigator is just so you can say you are a private investigator, this is not likely a good fit for you.  I say this from experience and seeing so many people fantasize about the industry and not understand what it is all about.

There are a variety of stories I could share that relate to the fantasy of the image some are looking for, but when it is all said and done, none of those individuals have lasted very long in the industry.  

The namesake person is in it just so they can say they are in it.  They are more worried about the image of a private investigator rather than the science and craft of it to help people.  

So if in your heart you know you might fit into this category, you might want to rethink this occupation.  

A Quick Buck

I remember being at a private investigator conference and there was a class on private investigation business.  After the panel of business owners had completed the class they allowed questions. The majority of people in the class were private investigators except for at least one and he asked a question.

This was many many years ago so I can’t remember his exact words but it was something related to what was the fastest way to make money off people (or something to that effect). He gave the impression that he wanted to figure out the quickest way to make a buck as if the industry was some scheme.  

The panel quickly explained that this industry was not about making a quick buck.  It was about integrity, finding information, and hopefully helping to solve a problem for someone.  

So I guess what I am getting at is that this isn’t some occupation that you just phone in (not give it your all). It’s about trying to provide the best service while doing so legally and ethically.  If your mindset is about making a quick buck then you are not likely putting your client’s interests at heart.

Giving Information to Just Anyone That Pays You

Just because we can legally have access to information that others can’t, doesn’t mean that someone off the street that hires you is allowed access to that information.  With that being said you just don’t give out people’s information willy-nilly because that information can be used to hurt someone.

We can sometimes be the gatekeepers of information.  Just because someone hires me to locate someone doesn’t mean I give the client a person’s address or other personal information that isn’t public.  You need to be vetting your clients as much as you invest in the investigation work itself. If someone is looking for someone and you find them, get their permission first before providing that information to the client.   They might not want to be found for a good reason.

Why Do You Want to Become a Private Investigator and What is Your “Why”

The reason to become a private investigator and to determine your “Why” is a big part of how successful you will be and how much you will grow as a private investigator.

I know that I am usually very successful at any endeavor if two things are in play.

Back Against the Wall

When my back is against the wall meaning there is a sense of extreme urgency I find myself stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that normally wouldn’t make me feel comfortable.  I will reach out to more clients for my business or I will go outside of my comfort zone as an investigator. And I can look back on those times and see personal growth and growth in my endeavors.

Strong “Why”

Having a strong “Why” keeps you pushing yourself when you might be comfortable in your current situation.  You might not have your back against the wall so there is no urgent thing taking place (like financial distress).  

My “Why” might be as simple as becoming debt free or saving money. It could be building up a college fund for my kids or saving for an amazing vacation.  It might be creating a life that surrounds you with the things that matter to you most. For me, that is being debt-free, spending time with my family, being present as a father and husband, and creating memories with my family.  These “Why” reasons are strong for me and they keep pushing me in different areas of my business.

So I push this question back to you.  What are your “Why” reasons? What are the things that are driving you in your business or career?  If you feel comfortable sharing, put your answers in the comment section below. I would love what they are.

Andrew