How To Become An Investigator: What It Is and Career Path - Zippia (2024)

Key steps to become an investigator

1. Explore investigator education requirements

   If you're interested in becoming an investigator, you must consider how much education you need. Based on real investigator resumes, 62.0% of investigators have a bachelor's degree. Regarding higher education levels, 12.2% of investigators have master's degrees. Even though most investigators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

   Most common investigator degrees

   Bachelor's

   62.0

   %

   Associate

   See Also

   How to Become a Private Investigator in CanadaCrime Scene Investigator Salary in CanadaRules and regulations for private investigators - FREE Legal Information | Legal LineHow To Become A Criminal Investigator: Steps, Certifications And Career Data

   13.9

   %

   Master's

   12.2

   %

2. Start to develop specific investigator skills

   A good investigator needs to have a wide range of skills. They must be able to work independently and think critically. They need to be able to prepare reports and make recommendations based on their investigations. They should also have the ability to train and supervise assistants. Jodi Gill, Internship Coordinator at Pennsylvania State University - Beaver, suggests that students take classes in psychology to increase their knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Foreign language skills are also beneficial in the field. Gary LaFree, Chair and Professor at the University of Maryland, recommends statistical skills for criminology and criminal justice positions.

   Skills	Percentages
   Law Enforcement Agencies	6.55%
   Management System	5.50%
   Customer Service	5.50%
   Criminal Justice	4.97%
   Senior Level Management	4.41%

   Show more

3. Complete relevant investigator training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New investigators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an investigator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real investigator resumes.

4. Gain additional investigator certifications

   Investigator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific investigator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

   The most common certifications for investigators include Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Professional Certified Investigator (PCI).

   More About Certifications

5. Research investigator duties and responsibilities

   An investigator's duties include conducting investigations, monitoring, and preparing investigative reports. They respond to confidential allegations of sexual harassment and investigate suspicious activity related to money laundering, terrorist financing, or other financial crimes. They also conduct background checks, analyze high-risk transaction activity, review documents, interview witnesses, and identify suspects. As Daryl Clemens, President & Chairman of the Board at International Crime Scene investigators Association, puts it, "Primary skills for Crime Scene Investigation are: Photography, Fingerprint Processing, and the ability to sketch and measure a scene - think a floorplan or landscape diagram, not an artistic sketch."

   • Participate in and lead the controlled purchase of illegal narcotics and firearms to apprehend suspects.
   • Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
   • Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
   • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.

6. Prepare your investigator resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your investigator resume.

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an investigator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

   Choose From 10+ Customizable Investigator Resume templates

   Build a professional

   Investigator

   resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume.

   Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Investigator resume.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   See Also

   Private Investigator Salary in Canada - Average Salary

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

7. Apply for investigator jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for an investigator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams

How do investigators rate their job?

Have more questions?

Search for investigator jobs

• Investigator jobs in Alaska
• Investigator jobs in Alabama
• Investigator jobs in Arkansas
• Investigator jobs in Arizona
• Investigator jobs in California
• Investigator jobs in Colorado
• Investigator jobs in Connecticut
• Investigator jobs in District of Columbia
• Investigator jobs in Delaware
• Investigator jobs in Florida
• Investigator jobs in Georgia
• Investigator jobs in Hawaii
• Investigator jobs in Iowa

• Investigator jobs in Idaho
• Investigator jobs in Illinois
• Investigator jobs in Indiana
• Investigator jobs in Kansas
• Investigator jobs in Kentucky
• Investigator jobs in Louisiana
• Investigator jobs in Massachusetts
• Investigator jobs in Maryland
• Investigator jobs in Maine
• Investigator jobs in Michigan
• Investigator jobs in Minnesota
• Investigator jobs in Missouri
• Investigator jobs in Mississippi

• Investigator jobs in Montana
• Investigator jobs in North Carolina
• Investigator jobs in North Dakota
• Investigator jobs in Nebraska
• Investigator jobs in New Hampshire
• Investigator jobs in New Jersey
• Investigator jobs in New Mexico
• Investigator jobs in Nevada
• Investigator jobs in New York
• Investigator jobs in Ohio
• Investigator jobs in Oklahoma
• Investigator jobs in Oregon
• Investigator jobs in Pennsylvania

• Investigator jobs in Puerto Rico
• Investigator jobs in Rhode Island
• Investigator jobs in South Carolina
• Investigator jobs in South Dakota
• Investigator jobs in Tennessee
• Investigator jobs in Texas
• Investigator jobs in Utah
• Investigator jobs in Virginia
• Investigator jobs in Vermont
• Investigator jobs in Washington
• Investigator jobs in Wisconsin
• Investigator jobs in West Virginia
• Investigator jobs in Wyoming

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.