Career fit quiz

Is Private Investigator the Right Career for You?

A quick, free 8-question quiz to see how well the private investigator career fits your personality, preferences and goals.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How this quiz works

Rate how much you agree with each statement. The quiz compares your answers with the realities of the private investigator job and gives you an honest fit score in under two minutes. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Statement 1 of 8I’m patient and observant
Statement 2 of 8I like finding information
Statement 3 of 8I can work alone
Statement 4 of 8I write detailed reports
Statement 5 of 8I can keep secrets
Statement 6 of 8I might want my own business
Statement 7 of 8I’m willing to spend about 1–3 years of experience training for this career
Statement 8 of 8A typical salary around $51,220 a year would meet my needs

What this career really involves

Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial and personal matters, conducting surveillance, background checks, interviews and records research for clients.

  • Conduct surveillance
  • Research public records and databases
  • Run background checks
  • Locate people and assets
  • Interview witnesses and subjects

Read a full day in the life or see private investigator salary data.

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