How to hire a detective

How to hire a detective, step by step

Here's a step-by-step detective hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a detective job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new detective
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The detective hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A detective's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, detectives from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of detectives and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Detective	Description	Hourly rate
   Detective	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$16-45
   Patrol Officer	The job of patrol officers is to enforce ordinances, laws, prevent crime, control crowds, arrest violators, and regulate traffic. They also perform other duties that may include monitoring an assigned area for unauthorized or suspicious activity, responding to reports of emergencies and possible crime such as robberies, and building good relationships with community members... Show more	$12-22
   Military Police Officer	A military police officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the areas assigned for their duly protection. Military police officers monitor their premises efficiently, inspecting suspicious individuals within the territory, and enforcing strict legislation protocols and military regulations for everyone's compliance... Show more	$12-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Physical Evidence
   • Patrol
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Crime Scenes
   • Insurance Fraud
   • Public Safety
   • Child Abuse
   • Burglary
   • Criminal Cases
   • Criminal Investigations
   • Sexual Assault
   • Subpoenas
   • Arrest Warrants
   • Firearms

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all ABC issues and applications for liquor licenses.
   • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
   • Monitor wire taps and conduct detailed surveillance of wire tap targets and associates.
   • Sole provider of data gathering from TIGTA's complaint management system and the IRS for biweekly phishing scam reports.
   • Connect GPS devices/recorder/audio/video by hard wiring to vehicle power for longer operations.
   • Optimize critical security of dignitaries by proficiently conducting foot and vehicle patrol of concentration areas.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your detective job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A detective salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, detectives' average salary in wyoming is 47% less than in west virginia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level detectives earn 63% less than senior-level detectives.
   • Certifications. A detective with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a detective's salary.

   Average detective salary

   $57,984yearly

   $27.88 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level detective salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a detective job description

   A detective job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a detective job description:

   Detective job description example

   Responsible for the implementation and review of infection prevention program; serves as a consultant and resource person regarding infection prevention issues for healthcare and residential facilities, collaborates with other healthcare professionals, and implements infection prevention education programs.
   • Preferable candidates within Los Angeles County
   • Remote/on-site depending on work need and hiring manager's discretion This part-time non-benefitted position (20 hours per week) is grant funded through March 2023. Employment is provided by Heluna Health.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The duties of the Infection Preventionist include, but are not limited to: • Consults on outbreaks as a subject matter expert, develops guidance and processes, and builds expertise in infection prevention among the team members
   • Improves the baseline infection control capacity in long-term care facilities (LTCF), including skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and assisted living facilities, by providing greater education to SNF administrators and front line staff
   • Performs on-site and virtual infection prevention consultations to safely house and isolate infected and exposed residents of LTCFs and other congregate settings
   • Increases Infection Prevention and Control assessment capacity onsite
   • Performs preparedness assessment to ensure interventions are in place to protect high-risk populations JOB QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications
   • A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in epidemiology or its equivalent -OR-A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in epidemiology or its equivalent -OR-A Bachelor's degree in nursing or closely related health field from an accredited program
   • Two years of experience within the last five years as an infection preventionist in a healthcare setting Desirable Qualifications
   • A Certificate of Infection Control (CIC) from the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
   • A valid California driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
   • Successful Clearance of LA County Live Scan Process
   • Medical clearance required
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS
   Stand Constantly
   Walk Constantly
   Sit Frequently
   Handling / Fingering Frequently
   Reach Outward Frequently
   Reach Above Shoulder Frequently
   Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Frequently
   Lift / Carry Frequently - Up to 30 lbs
   Push/Pull Frequently - Up to 30 lbs
   See Constantly
   Taste/ Smell Not Applicable Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
   Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
   Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
   Constantly (5+ hrs/day)
   WORK ENVIRONMENT
   General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled. Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find detectives for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any detectives they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level detectives with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your detective job on Zippia to find and recruit detective candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit detectives, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new detective

   Once you've decided on a perfect detective candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new detective. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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