Over the next couple of days I was transcribing manuscripts of phone calls, sifting through files on a PC, participating in surveillance operations and had been asked several times about what my thoughts were on various things.  How many jobs do you actually get asked what you think, particularly when you are new?  I am used to being asked what I think mainly as a trick question, knowing that unless I have the whole process identified from start to finish and justifications for all parts of the process “in the bag” it is best to look ahead and say nothing.  What a revelation!

I have been amazed by the varied scope of work that is called in, which is exactly what appeals to me.  As well as the fact that there is no set way of dealing with things and all ideas are welcome (no matter how silly they may seem at the time, sometimes the weird ways work!)  It’s the juxtaposition of traditional elements like client management and some office based time, alongside the fact that you could be sent anywhere at a moment’s notice and you never know what situation will be presented to you that excites me.

This job is certainly not 9-5, I get up at 5.30 and on the one weekend morning I thought I could lie in till lunch I got a text at 7.30am asking me whether I was busy and how quickly I could get somewhere for a job.  Mixing work with having a life is important, however when immediately you know that you will do it if you possibly can, you don’t want to miss something and want to be involved, no matter what day or time it is happening, you know this is worth holding onto.

The main thing that has impacted on me is the point of the work that gets done here.  No-one is telling people what they should do or what decisions to make, we are simply giving people the facts and the knowledge in order to make informed choices and take control of situations. Most people are probably not aware of what an Investigations company can do for them.  As far as corporate clients are concerned, the work we do saves companies an enormous amount of money and time and in the case of private clients it is often the worry of the things that you suspect but can’t prove which are the most unnerving.  I think everyone can appreciate the stress of having to make decisions based on supposition rather than facts, and this is a process we can certainly facilitate for people.

Since being made a permanent member of the team, I quickly got stuck in, working with a group of people that I hugely admire, respect as well as genuinely like.  I am proud of doing a job that I really want to go in and get on with.  It also of course helps that the job I do has already put me at the top of the list of cool friends within my peer group!