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The classic detective has been projected as a figure apart from society; someone who has a deep, dark secret or is nursing a broken heart, but is too tough to show it; sly as a fox, slippery an eel but quite handsome and charismatic! The real life detective is far from the dashing image projected in comic books and movies. He or she looks like just about any one on the street. Detectives are as normal a bunch of people as the rest of us. They're not broken-hearted nor are all of them particularly good-looking! But their lives read like adventure stories, filled with exciting tales to tell. So if you're looking for a life full of excitement and adventure, with occasional risks thrown in, investigating is what you should set your eyes on. The work is tough, involves a lot of leg and brain work, tries one's patience and tolerance levels, but at the end of the day is exciting and different. You never know what will come your way, and that only builds the suspense and the excitement. Areas of detection include… Working
on 'A case' Cases usually handled by detectives include pre, mid and post matrimonial cases, fraud, labour unrest cases, asset location, industrial espionage, commercial and employment cases. In each case, complete confidentiality is vigilantly ensured. Surveillance:This involves tactfully following a person. A person skilled in surveillance needs to be agile, discreet, tactful and needs to have very sharp eyes. Investigating: An investigator is the one who actually approaches the suspect, talks to them and draws out information from them. This person needs to be a really smooth talker, conversant with any subject. Moreover, he or she should have a keen presence of mind, and should be able to wiggle out of a sticky situation. You could approach a detective agency with your resume, and enquire if they need new recruits. Advertisements are also placed in all major newspapers, asking for applications. There is no qualification required for this job. Once you apply, you are grilled in several sets of rigorous interviews. Some agencies even carry out a private investigation on the prospective employee, scrutinising every detail about him and his family, while others put him through a test, where you have to trail and investigate a dummy suspect. A medical test is also conducted, to ascertain whether you are physically fit enough to undertake all the high-stress jobs involved. All original certificates and references are verified, and every employee has a set of fingerprints taken, which are put onto the computer. Then starts the training period. Although the best places to study are all abroad, there are a few places in India where one can learn the basics of detection. The All India Private Detectives Association in Delhi offers a course, which extends from six months to a year. Run by Ramesh Madan, one of the best in the business, it is reputed to be the best place for a degree in detective sciences.
A detective has to be as normal as you or me. In fact, detectives have to make it a point to gel with the crowd, so that they will never be spotted. Detective agencies look for someone with average intelligence, high confidence levels, grit, determination and the ability to work hard.
This involves entering an organization as an employee, penetrating into its core and through conversations with the other employees, getting to the bottom of the problem within the organization. Very often, this form of investigation is used to find out the source of a theft or labour unrest. Women and men are both introduced as new employees in the company. They strike up friendships with the other employees and get to the bottom of the problem. This person needs to have the gift of the gab, and should be intelligent enough to carry off a fake persona. As you can see, there's virtually nothing to do with trench coats and hats! Although the basic salary of a detective is not very high, the total amount that one makes extends into five figures. A trainee starts off with a basic salary of approximately Rs. 3000, which remains more or less the same throughout his tenure. However the perks keep getting better! Detectives are given allowances for food, transport, overtime allowance as well as weekend allowance, all of which combines to give them a grand total of Rs. 10,000 to 20,000 per month. The work is risky, and often very dangerous. You may have to work round the clock and interact with all sorts of people, from slick underworld dons to roadside goondas. You aren't likely to have a glamorous life like James Bond, but…there's an upside. While the rest of the world goes about its mundane business, you will embark upon a life of exploration and investigation. Each day will hold a new challenge and adventure and you will definitely have lots of exciting stories to tell your grandchildren when you're old and grey!
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