No big surprise: your favorite TV detective show has
everything wrong.
On television, the P.I. is usually looking for a murderer;
in reality, says Kahn, private investigators deal with a
variety of issues that need deeper research than perhaps
most people are able to do. On television, P.I.s are always
broke; in reality, they make up to $500,000 on bigger jobs.
TV crimes are solved in an hour, minus commercials; in real
life, a private investigator might work on a case for years.
If you think it’s a career for a person with patience,
you’re right: private investigators are research experts and
can unravel the most knotted facts, they’re flexible, and
they know how to read people. They’re also good at
“disrupting” stalled investigations, a talent that police
sometimes hate. P.I.s are able to think sideways to spot
clues, and they have the tenacity of ten terriers.
As for the industry itself, Kahn cites the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, which states that “projected occupational growth
rate” is 11 percent, which is much higher than for other
jobs. Three years ago, the U.S. boasted more than 40,000
working private investigators, all of which, presumably, are
licensed, since the majority of America’s states have strict
requirements on licensure.
To give readers an idea of what it’s like to work as a
private investigator, Kahn followed two P.I.s, one in
Tennessee and one in Texas. The former became a private eye
after helping to solve the murder of her former roommate;
she wanted to quit when it was over until she realized that
her expertise was still needed. The Texas P.I. gained his
skills while in the military, and he shares with Kahn a case
that still dogs him…
Readers who come to this book for career advice will be
quite surprised at “Becoming a Private Investigator,” for
two big reasons.
While this series of guidebooks is generally meant for high
school students and adults looking for career changes,
this one focuses almost entirely on the latter. Indeed,
both of author Howie Kahn’s profiled P.I.s are older adults
who started their respective careers well past their
high-school years. Yes, teens will glean information here
but adults will benefit more.
The other truly pleasant surprise is in the true-crime
elements in which this book is so deeply steeped. Kahn’s
investigators and their case studies will call to mystery
mavens and armchair detectives alike, perhaps aiming crime
solvers toward fascinating second careers later in life.
Even if you’re not career-swapping, this different kind of
business book is pure fun to read. If you’re thinking of a
new job, however, and need help launching, get Becoming
a Private Investigator and magnify your options. |