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Consumer Relations Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Consumer Relations Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For relationship-driven people who want work that exists in almost every industry, from retail to finance to tech. Use the tools below to see which consumer relations roles fit your background and goals.

This is a skill set more than a single job title. It appears in customer service, CX, and consumer affairs roles across nearly every industry. Use the tools below to explore Consumer Relations-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Customer Service Representative, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Customer Experience Manager or Client Success Lead. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP), that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Consumer Relations careers/jobs, (2) Find Consumer Relations job listings, (3) Prepare for Consumer Relations careers, and (4) Provide Consumer Relations career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Consumer Relations careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Consumer Relations Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Consumer Relations careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Consumer Relations, so relevant Consumer Relations jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Consumer Relations Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Consumer Relations Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Consumer Relations careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 25 Consumer Relations Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

10 Consumer Relations careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Consumer Relations-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Consumer Relations-Related Jobs

Social and Human Service Assistants 16.6% Community Advocate
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 16.6% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Community Advocate
Private Detectives and Investigators 13.2% Employee Relations Investigator
Occupation: Private Detectives and Investigators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 13.2% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Investigator
Models 11.4% Influencer
Occupation: Models U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 11.4% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Influencer
Public Relations Specialists 11.4% Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Occupation: Public Relations Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 11.4% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Human Resources Managers 9.2% Employee Relations Manager
Occupation: Human Resources Managers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 9.2% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Manager
Insurance Sales Agents 7% Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Occupation: Insurance Sales Agents U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 7% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Customer Service Representatives -1.2% Customer Relations Representative
Occupation: Customer Service Representatives U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -1.2% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Representative
Labor Relations Specialists -4.3% Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Occupation: Labor Relations Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.3% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Chief Executives -5.7% Consumer Affairs Director
Occupation: Chief Executives U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -5.7% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Consumer Affairs Director
Tellers -16.9% Customer Relationship Specialist
Occupation: Tellers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -16.9% Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relationship Specialist

12 Consumer Relations careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Consumer Relations-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Consumer Relations-Related Jobs

Chief Executives $ 206,680 Consumer Affairs Director
Occupation: Chief Executives National Median Salary: $ 206,680 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Consumer Affairs Director
Human Resources Managers $ 136,350 Employee Relations Manager
Occupation: Human Resources Managers National Median Salary: $ 136,350 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Manager
Public Relations Managers $ 134,760 Public Relations Director (PR Director); Public Relations Manager (PR Manager); Public Relations Supervisor (PR Supervisor)
Occupation: Public Relations Managers National Median Salary: $ 134,760 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Public Relations Director (PR Director); Public Relations Manager (PR Manager); Public Relations Supervisor (PR Supervisor)
Labor Relations Specialists $ 89,980 Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Occupation: Labor Relations Specialists National Median Salary: $ 89,980 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists $ 66,750 Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Occupation: Public Relations Specialists National Median Salary: $ 66,750 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Insurance Sales Agents $ 59,080 Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Occupation: Insurance Sales Agents National Median Salary: $ 59,080 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Private Detectives and Investigators $ 49,540 Employee Relations Investigator
Occupation: Private Detectives and Investigators National Median Salary: $ 49,540 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Investigator
Freight Forwarders $ 48,330 Ocean Freight Customer Relations Specialist
Occupation: Freight Forwarders National Median Salary: $ 48,330 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Ocean Freight Customer Relations Specialist
Models $ 47,430 Influencer
Occupation: Models National Median Salary: $ 47,430 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Influencer
Social and Human Service Assistants $ 41,410 Community Advocate
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants National Median Salary: $ 41,410 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Community Advocate
Customer Service Representatives $ 39,680 Customer Relations Representative
Occupation: Customer Service Representatives National Median Salary: $ 39,680 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Representative
Tellers $ 37,640 Customer Relationship Specialist
Occupation: Tellers National Median Salary: $ 37,640 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relationship Specialist

12 Consumer Relations careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Consumer Relations-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Consumer Relations-Related Jobs

Chief Executives 5 Consumer Affairs Director
Occupation: Chief Executives Education/Preparation: 5 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Consumer Affairs Director
Human Resources Managers 4 Employee Relations Manager
Occupation: Human Resources Managers Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Manager
Insurance Sales Agents 4 Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Occupation: Insurance Sales Agents Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Rep (Customer Relations Representative)
Labor Relations Specialists 4 Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Occupation: Labor Relations Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Business Partner (ERBP); Employee Relations Consultant; Employee Relations Coordinator; Employee Relations Generalist; Employee Relations Investigator; Employee Relations Partner; Employee Relations Representative (Employee Relations Rep); Employee Relations Specialist
Public Relations Managers 4 Public Relations Director (PR Director); Public Relations Manager (PR Manager); Public Relations Supervisor (PR Supervisor)
Occupation: Public Relations Managers Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Public Relations Director (PR Director); Public Relations Manager (PR Manager); Public Relations Supervisor (PR Supervisor)
Public Relations Specialists 4 Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Occupation: Public Relations Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Public Relations Consultant (PR Consultant); Public Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator); Public Relations Counselor (PR Counselor); Public Relations Officer (PR Officer); Public Relations Representative (PR Rep); Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)
Social and Human Service Assistants 4 Community Advocate
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants Education/Preparation: 4 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Community Advocate
Private Detectives and Investigators 3 Employee Relations Investigator
Occupation: Private Detectives and Investigators Education/Preparation: 3 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Employee Relations Investigator
Customer Service Representatives 2 Customer Relations Representative
Occupation: Customer Service Representatives Education/Preparation: 2 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relations Representative
Freight Forwarders 2 Ocean Freight Customer Relations Specialist
Occupation: Freight Forwarders Education/Preparation: 2 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Ocean Freight Customer Relations Specialist
Models 2 Influencer
Occupation: Models Education/Preparation: 2 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Influencer
Tellers 2 Customer Relationship Specialist
Occupation: Tellers Education/Preparation: 2 Consumer Relations-Related Jobs: Customer Relationship Specialist

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 25 specific Consumer Relations job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Private Detectives and Investigators.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Private Detectives and Investigators

Description: Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
33,700
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
38,100
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
4,400 (13.2%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
3,500
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Private Detectives and Investigators":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Investigate companies' financial standings, or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.
Importance: 30 (%) Description: Count cash and review transactions, sales checks, or register tapes to verify amounts or to identify shortages.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Balance receipts.
Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.
Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.
Interview people to obtain information about actions or status of individuals.
Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
Investigate personal characteristics or activities of individuals.
Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.
Prepare investigation or incident reports.
Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 83 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations.
Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources.
Activity: Interview people to obtain information.
Activity: Investigate criminal or legal matters.
Activity: Investigate individuals' background, behavior, or activities.
Activity: Notify others of emergencies or problems.
Activity: Present information in legal proceedings.
Activity: Reconcile financial data.
Activity: Record images with photographic or audiovisual equipment.
Activity: Record information about legal matters.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
Emerging Tech Skills
Data base user interface and query software:
Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Operating system software:
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Web page creation and editing software:
Facebook
General Software Tools
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Computer imaging software
Information retrieval or search software:
LexisNexis
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 37.7 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 25.1 (%) Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 16.4 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Frequency of Attainment: 12.1 (%) Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 4.5 (%) Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
Frequency of Attainment: 4.3 (%) Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 27.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 25.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 22.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 8.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.6 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 1.8 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 1.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 1.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Certified Protection Officer External Link
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Private Detectives and Investigators". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Private Detectives and Investigators". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Private Detectives and Investigators". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Private Detectives and Investigators


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Private Detectives and Investigators" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page