How to Write an Investigation Officer Resume (With Example)

Updated 10 April 2023

Investigation officers collect evidence, interrogate suspects and identify misconduct in various settings. As in any job search, it's essential to write a resume highlighting your relevant skills and qualifications for the role. Learning how to write a compelling investigation officer resume can help you boost your chances of securing the position. In this article, we list steps on how to write an investigation officer resume and provide a template and an example to guide you.

How to write an investigation officer resume

Follow these steps to help you write a captivating investigation officer resume:

1. Select a resume format

Choose a format that suits the structure of your resume. You can select different versions based on your years of experience and skill level. Examples include:

Chronological format: This resume places your work experience section closer to the top of your resume and your skills near the end. It lets you showcase your vertical career growth and emphasise your current experience level.
Functional format: This format emphasises your skills above your work history. Use this option if you have gaps in your professional history or want to leave another career to become an investigation officer.
Combination format: Here, you place your work history and skills in sequence and your education history towards the end. It's a good option if you want to demonstrate your skills and experiences equally.

2. Examine the job posting

Examine the job posting and identify the qualities the hiring managers are looking for in a candidate. Create a separate list of the skills, academic qualifications and experience they mention in the job posting. For example, if the job posting mentions that the organisation wants an investigation officer with a minimum of two years of experience, a bachelor's degree and experience conducting criminal investigations, try to match these requirements as closely as possible. By adapting your resume to the hiring company's needs, you can highlight the information that demonstrates your suitability.

3. List essential keywords

Hiring managers may use online applicant-tracking systems to scan and sort the resumes they receive. It's essential to include industry-related keywords to increase the chances of your resume being successful at this stage. The keyword either indicates your experience with an industry-related task or a skill. Examples of keywords for a resume for an investigation officer include:

criminal investigation
private investigation
law enforcement
interrogation
evidence collection
fraud investigation
firearms handling
public safety

4. Create a header

Create a header at the beginning of your resume for your name and contact details. Write your full name using a larger font size, then provide your phone number and email address beneath it. In this section, you can also include your degree name and a link to your social media profile. Check this section carefully to confirm the accuracy of the information and ensure that hiring managers can communicate with you.

5. Write a professional summary

A professional summary allows you to briefly describe the qualities that make you the best candidate for the role. Hiring managers often read this section first before examining the rest of your resume. Consider writing this section last so you know what main points to include. Follow these tips to help you write a compelling professional summary:

Identify your accomplishments that show your suitability for an investigation officer role.
Use percentages to quantify these accomplishments.
Add one or two industry-related skills from the job posting.
Use adjectives such as determined and disciplined to describe your work ethic.

6. Document your work history

List your previous work experiences, starting with your current role and ending with your earliest one. This focuses your resume on your recent experiences and skill level. Write the job title, employment dates and primary duties for each position you held. Use action verbs such as achieved, headed and executed to describe these duties. Use numbers to showcase your expertise. For example, if you held a leadership role, specify how many employees reported to you to demonstrate your leadership experience.

7. List relevant skills

This encompasses the skills you identified from the job posting and other relevant skills you possess. Consider categorising them into technical and soft skills to show hiring managers you have a broad skill set. Technical skills include evidence collection, report writing, witness interrogation interviews and firearms management. Examples of soft skills include communication, problem-solving and interpersonal and observational skills. If you specialise in investigating specific cases, such as fraud, consider adding specific skills for this role, like expertise in insurance fraud.

8. Add your education history

List the degrees or diplomas you hold alongside the names of the institution you attended. If you graduated less than five years ago, add the graduation date. You can also add relevant certifications and licences. Include the names of the organisations that awarded the certificates and indicate the expiry date. Examples of academic achievements that hiring managers may look for in a candidate include:

bachelor's degree in criminology or forensic science
bachelor's degree in business management
private investigator licence

9. Format and proofread your resume

Select legible fonts such as Helvetica, Calibri or Cambria and apply size 11 or 12. Use larger header sizes, ranging from 14 to 16, and employ bold type and double-spacing to increase their readability. Insert bullet points in your work experience and skills sections to clarify them, and apply one-inch margins. Once you complete formatting, check your resume for grammatical errors. Finally, ask a colleague or mentor to review your resume and give you feedback.

Investigation officer resume template

Here's a template you can use to help you create your own:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantifiable results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantifiable results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university]

Certifications
[Certification name], [Host organisation] – [Year completed or expiry date]

Example of an investigation officer's resume

Here's an example to guide you as you write your own resume:

Andrew Feng, Certified Private Investigator

+65 8632 1275 | andrewfeng@email.com | Singapore

Professional Summary
Disciplined investigative officer with five years of experience in law enforcement. Dedicated to improving public safety, collecting evidence, following strict protocols and conducting thorough investigations. Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Experience
Investigation Officer | February 2020–Current
XunPing Stark Ltd. | Singapore

respond immediately to road traffic accidents and crime scenes and request additional support if necessary
lead shift meetings to update fellow officers about the current status of the investigations
assess case documentation submitted by colleagues to evaluate compliance with department regulations
patrol designated areas to detect and prevent crimes
evaluate all evidence with the department attorney to determine what items are eligible for use in court proceedings

Entry-level Investigation Officer | May 2018–January 2020
Goodwin Cheng Ltd. | Singapore

interacted with the community to become familiar with certain areas and establish a rapport with possible sources
assisted senior investigation officers and detectives in conducting investigations into suspected criminal activities
conducted surveillance in high-risk areas and called for assistance

Education
Bachelor of Arts in criminology, Jurong University

Certifications
Private Investigator Certificate, Bedok Criminology Institute – June 2023

The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

How to Write an Investigation Officer Resume (With Example)