Colorado Bureau Investigations | Bureau Federal Investigator

The perceived image of the private investigator primarily comes from Hollywood. Movies and television series have been based on the stereotype of the tough private detective. Despite this hard-nosed image, the qualifications to be a private investigator may apply to job seekers more than they might think.

The employment demand for private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 22 percent over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. This is rising much faster than the average for all occupations. This increased demand for private detectives and investigators will come from heightened security concerns, increased litigation, and the need to protect confidential information and property of all kinds.

Criminal activity on the Internet, such as identity theft, spamming, email harassment, and illegal downloading of copyrighted materials, also will play a part in the increase in demand. Employee background checks, conducted by private investigators, have become standard for an increasing number of jobs. Growing financial activity worldwide will increase the demand for investigators to control internal and external financial losses, to monitor competitors, and to prevent industrial spying. More individuals are investigating care facilities, such as childcare providers, hospices, and hospitals. Companies hiring new employees are using background checks more often today than in the past. This increase in demand has driven private investigative companies to begin recruiting more heavily.