It is tough being an undercover agent. A detective has to have certain trait that facilitates his/her work. Some of these characters are in born and some have to be espoused. There is no particular job description in this field. One has to be like a chameleon, changing its color according to the circumstances.
If you are able to dig up information, sometimes out of curiosity or for some other personal reasons, it doesnt give you a strong reason to become a private detective. It is a perilous job. An investigator is on the run most of the time. S/he has to chase a particular person or a criminal and has to gather information.
S/he has to be a sharp observer who can explore the situation and have the courage to face the consequences. One has to be intelligent and at the same time have a presence of mind.
A person has to be tough on the outside as well as on the inside. The demands of the case can affect both physically and mentally. One can have problems like lack of sleep or mental stress like a threat to life from the criminal you are after. It can even take a toll on your personal relationships.
S/he has to be well read and street smart at the same time. It is good to be educated in the field one chooses to work. Basic knowledge of law is also very important. It becomes an additional advantage if the detective comes from a military or police background.
Another quality a private detective has to have is to keep his/her emotions in check. One can never lose self control and has to be professional at all times. It is not advisable to attach your emotions to any case and be personally involved. It is also decorous if proper and correct information is handed to the right person. An investigator should be secretive about the work and this will in turn help him/her to maintain their reputation.
It becomes handy for an undercover agent if s/he can pretend to be one of them when they are planted in a specific area. They can gain the confidence of people around and gather information. In these times it is a must for a personal investigator to be technology savvy and have modern gadgets. It will ameliorate the work and can help in solving the case swiftly.
There are many fields where one requires the services of an investigator. Choose yours carefully and give it your best.