Private Investigators are asked to perform their services for a variety of reasons. The demand for investigative work is increasing as more businesses have a growing concern for security and want to keep their confidential information safe.
As a result, a study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the employment of Private Investigators would increase by 8% between 2018 and 2028 because of heightened concerns about security. Thus, jobs in private investigation are expected to keep growing for the foreseeable future.
Nationwide Private Investigation Firms Growing in Numbers
While smaller “mom and pop”-style private investigative firms have slowed down in numbers, there’s been an increase in larger investigative companies – especially those specializing in insurance fraud. Many times, Private Investigators working on their own build their services into a nationwide enterprise through prudent business practices or mergers and acquisitions. These larger firms then hire individuals to perform investigative work under contract or as full-time employees. This is a clear rebuttal to claims that the private investigative industry is dying – while some facets of the practice might be, insurance defense surveillance is not.
A Growing Niche Market for Private Investigators
Those highly skilled in the private investigative field will notice a growing demand for their work. People will always pay more for expertise, particularly for niche investigative fields. Fields that are growing in demand for Private Investigators include:
- Forensic accounting
- Infidelity investigations
- Wrongful death
- and TSCM (technical surveillance counter-measures).
To become an expert in one of these niche fields, you’ll need to have the appropriate training. This training is often obtained from a Private Investigator’s former position – usually working for the local or state police department before becoming a Private Investigator. Those just starting out in the private investigative industry will want to decide on a field to specialize in, then become an expert on, so their services become indispensable compared to the competition.
Changes in Technology Does Not Mean Changes in Methodology
Changes in technology often bring changes in how society operates. Just look at the brick-and-mortar retail industry and its attempt to compete with the technology of online shopping. It’s growing increasingly difficult to convince shoppers to buy their goods the old-fashioned way, rather than simply clicking a button online.
Similarly, security camera technology has become so increasingly sophisticated that some worry they’ll replace Private Investigators all together. That’s not the case for the private investigative industry. Just as many retail stores employ security cameras in conjunction with security officers, those seeking investigative work often use security cameras in collaboration with Private Investigators.
How Social Media Users are Linked to High Infidelity
Many consider the prevalence of social media to be a pitfall to the private investigative industry. Anyone can use social media to “Facebook stalk” someone and dig for information. But experienced Private Investigators understand that while social media is a tool to be used for fact-finding, it’s not the end-all solution to gathering facts.
Social media usage has actually increased the prospects for Private Investigators as more people use online social platforms to start extramarital affairs and relationships. Suspicious partners might try to uncover their lover’s unfaithful actions on their own. Still, a lack of experience and expertise in this exploratory research leads them to call a Private Investigator who has the proficiency and know-how that they lack.
Become a Private Investigator at the National Investigative Training Academy
The work of a Private Investigator is never dull, and the U.S. Department of Labor shows that this profession is here to stay. If you’re considering a career in the field of private investigation, contact a National Investigative Training Academy, Inc. (NITA) enrollment counselor today. We’ll demonstrate how NITA’s online school can help you become a licensed Private Investigator and accomplish your career goals in no time.
At NITA, our flexible online training programs for Private Investigators were developed, modeled, and designed by our staff and faculty with more than 20 years of investigative experience. As an online provider of state- and board-approved Private Investigator training courses for professional development, we uphold our commitment to delivering the leading techniques and resources available for Private Investigators through our training programs.For more information on our State- and Board-approved, pre-licensing training, or professional development programs, contact us today at 1-800-730-NITA (6482). Our enrollment counselors are here to answer any questions you might have.
Our enrollment counselors are here to answer any questions you might have about our state- and board-approved status, pre-licensing training, or professional development programs.
