Being in the private investigation business is very rewarding, but the rewards and bonuses may not be what you think they would be. While it is true that the work is fascinating, intense, and exciting, we are not really like super investigators with their own lab in the car, choppers, and all that jazz that you see in the movies.
Being a private investigator is more for the cerebral kind of folks, those who enjoy getting facts straightened out and getting to the bottom of things so, in that vein, we?ll be dispersing some private investigator myths in this article!
Myth: Private investigators are rolling in dough, that?s why they have cool cars and gadgets.
Wrong, wrong, wrong! Real life isn?t like the movies. Most private investigators are either sole proprietorship or work with only a very small team of solo to just less than 5 individuals. Rates may be high at around $50 to $100 an hour for most, but that cash is used to pay for things that are part of the job?not to mention we get taxed like other people and businesses do!
Myth: ?Real? private investigators live like James Bond.
Well, James Bond is an international high-order spy plus a fictional character. Real private investigators earn every penny of what they make on ?thrilling? surveillance shifts, where the highlight of the whole shift is probably just someone checking their mail box or retrieving the morning paper. Once in a while, you get to wait at courthouses for paperwork and such. What an adrenalin rush, right?
Myth: Private investigators have an unending stream of very loyal clients
No matter how great you are at your job as a private investigator, once you?ve served your purpose, the client will have no more need of you. That?s actually how we know if we did a great job in half of the cases we handle.
There would be no pats on the back, no promotions, no certificates, and accolades, but you know what? You?ll learn that a paid invoice is oftentimes the best acknowledgment you?ll get off of a job well done, even if you went well beyond in terms of service provided.
Myth: The general public is a private investigator?s unending stream of clients.
The truth is, most people think a private investigator can just tap into someone else?s phone, view someone from a satellite feed, ninja-sashay into someone else?s home, and more. All of that can land a private investigator in prison or real trouble!
So you see, the higher hourly rate is totally worth it, just say it?s for your aspirin budget.
Myth: Being a private investigator is a walk in the park.
Besides being a people-person, you will have to be tech savvy, business savvy, and be a self-motivation master to be a private investigator. In this age, you need not only know how to use surveillance gadgets but also know how to set up your internet presence ? that means you need to know about SEO strategies, networking, marketing, and more.
We?re not saying being a private investigator sucks, we?re saying it takes a special kind of person to enjoy a career in private investigation. Want to join our ranks of Toronto private investigators? A career in private investigation might be for you! Contact us today!
