2. Be happy with a certain amount of autonomy. If you want to work undercover, you will sometimes need to work alone and must, of course, have a matching amount of fear and suspicion.
3. A good memory and the ability to analyse facts objectively is helpful. How good you are at retaining detail may make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful investigation. Make the wrong decision and your cover could be blown.
COOL UNDERCOVER
Environmental Crime Investigator – These investigators usually work for government agencies; they search out people who have broken environmental laws. This could mean a company dumping waste or carrying out activities that are hazardous to human health. As rules become more stringent, this is set to be a growing profession.
Private Investigator – Private investigators carry out a range of investigations, including surveillance, security consultancy, insurance fraud investigations, and matrimonial/partner investigations (fidelity). This is a growth market because of the number of lawsuits nowadays. Store detective work can be a good place to start this career.
Corporate Investigator – Corporate investigators carry out due diligence, covert surveillance and a range of investigations into areas such as fraud, substance abuse investigations, computer forensics, workers’ compensation fraud, sexual harassment allegations, and accidents.
Legal Investigator – In the USA, particularly, there is a growing market for legal investigators who are trained to work with court cases for law firms. They may analyse evidence, collect witness statements, help to prepare defence cases and carry out background investigations on anyone involved in the court case. Some may be called on to give evidence in court.
Financial Investigator – Financial investigators have developed a speciality in investigating banking and financial fraud cases. Some may be forensic or Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), or they may have a background in banking or a related industry. White-collar fraud is a growing area and Banking compliance may be a useful background for this career. Money may be moved internationally so it is important to thoroughly understand the international financial systems.
Mystery Shopper – A mystery shopper works for an external consultancy and secretly tries out services as a member of the public and rates the service they receive. As well as customer satisfaction services, they may also check on staff compliance with regulations, security and training needs, and benchmark a company against its competitors.
Undercover Narcotics/Drugs Agent – Undercover agents and deep-cover officers work for institutions such as the police and customs. They carry out surveillance, undercover activities and searches. Clearly it can be a risky career and one you are not likely to get into without a lot of training and experience in other related areas.
* UNUSUALLY COOL
Undercover Animal Rights Investigator -
You may not get paid directly to do this, but, if you have a passion for animals, you could work undercover for an organisation like PETA, infiltrating industries that use animals for experiments, fur or food, and documenting any abuses or cruelty. Armed with a notepad or secret camera, undercover investigators have been remarkably successful in producing material to be used by campaigners. You must be able to keep accurate notes, stay within the law, keep secrets, be good at building working relationships and if need be, be able to observe animal suffering while staying objective.
I want to be the first to know
What’s really going on? Do you like to be the first one to know? Would you like to have information that the majority of the population can’t get hold of?
If you want to have an investigative career, you’ll need a good memory and an eye for detail, as well as a curious mind. Natural investigators love ‘being in the know’, they like to have the facts before others do. Their inquisitiveness will lead them down alleyways others don’t even notice.
These careers use the mind rather than muscle but they are always interesting and sometimes fast-paced and exciting.
COOL AND CALCULATING
Political Journalist – As either a print (newspapers and magazine) or broadcast journalist, focusing on life in Westminster or Washington, you’ll be privy to gossip and secrets, only some of which you’ll be able to pass on to the public.
Financial/Business Journalist – Perhaps the secrets of what a company is doing what is more your thing? If so, take a look at the work of the financial or business correspondent. However, if you want to be even earlier to the business stories, it might be worth considering working as a Financial/Investment Analyst – for either an investment management or a stockbroking house. Analysts keep in regular contact with a group of companies and need to be up to date on growth forecasts and developments, so they are often among the first people to know what’s really going on.
Foreign Correspondent – Stationed overseas, from Gaborone to Hong Kong, you’ll interview everyone from the heads of state, to local activists and chairs of industry, chasing down stories of interest to your audience at home. The major TV stations, national newspapers and newswire organisations all employ overseas correspondents. However, you will probably have honed your news skills in many other posts first.
Undercover Reporter – An undercover reporter may work for a newspaper, magazine or a TV documentary production company. Generally a great deal of experience is called for. You need to be cool in a crisis and an experienced journalist, who is well-versed on the boundaries of what is, and is not, legally possible. You may work near to home or be required to go overseas. This is a dangerous career. You could end up getting on the wrong side of some nasty people.
Corporate Risk Management Specialists – Often also corporate investigators, these specialists assess risk and carry out security surveys. They may provide executive protection, security services and technical surveillance countermeasures. They need to have details about exactly what is going on in a country and the day-to-day changes in risk
Security Consultant – If you are ex-army, secret service or police, or speak many languages, you might find employment in the private part of the security industry in areas such as kidnapping, insurance, intelligence gathering and security. Look at companies such as Control Risks in the UK or CTC in the States to see the type of work on offer.
* UNUSUALLY COOL
MI5 intelligence Officer -
Intelligence officers carry out surveillance operations, run agents, assess and investigate threats to national security or carry out other general management work. They generally work as part of a team. MI5 officers must hold a British passport and the recruitment and vetting process can take at least six months. If you have a second language, you may also work in intelligence work with the service. MI5 has a website that shows current opportunities. MI5 Data Analysts analyse trends in electronic data.
