Every once in a while I get a great question from someone who just “gets it” and I can tell right away that they are going to be a good bail enforcement officer one day. This afternoon I received an email that made me sit up and think about the criteria I use to hire new investigators in the fugitive investigation division of CompassPoint Investigations. Expressing exactly what I am looking for when filling a vacant “bounty hunter” position, was much more difficult than I had first imagined. In any case, I thought I’d share Ivan’s question here with everyone along with my answer:

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From: Ivan

Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 4:50 PM

To: Scott Harrell

Subject: Question about job qualifications…

Scott,

I have to say that the FAQ page certainly answered a lot of questions I had and put me at ease on a few things. But I have one question. At this stage, my main interest is a career in bail enforcement, and I am very excited to enter the industry, either through employment with a company or privately. The question I have is about employment in a company like yours. When you hire someone, what aspects of the person and their background do you consider? For example, are you looking for someone who has had previous military or police experience? Basically, what kind of experience would you need to have to get a job with a surety/IP enforcement firm? like I said, I am extremely excited to pursue this career and will do whatever it takes. Your information is greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely.

Ivan.

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Unfortunately, Ivan doesn’t write as well as I would have liked, but his enthusiasm and focus earn him high marks. This is an important reminder to use spell check!

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Ivan,

When I post a Bail Bond Enforcement Agent job opening, I’m flooded with applications and resumes – it’s an extremely competitive market for people looking to hire a company rather than go it alone, mainly due to Duane’s tremendous popularity. “Dog” The Chapman Show.

The first thing I look for is the ability to communicate. I don’t really care what kind of background they have if they come to me with the ability to communicate well (both written and verbally) and the ability to learn what I have to teach them; I can teach them all the skills my employees need to be successful in this business, but I’m not going back to elementary school. The ability to communicate (especially in writing) will set you apart from others, regardless of your background. I’ve seen some of the best investigators I’ve ever met struggle to make ends meet because they didn’t present themselves well to clients.

I think I’ve beaten that horse to death.

I then look up what specifically the prospective employee has done to invest in his own career before asking me to invest my money, time, and experience in him. How much education have they obtained (not necessarily college) and where? What books have they read? What special skills or contacts do they bring to the table? The last guy I hired I did it because he had taken some highly respected classes in handcuffing, interviewing and interrogation, and enforcement, handling and takedown. He invested heavily in his education and I knew he was going to take this business (and mine) very seriously. He just graduated from high school, but he understood the value of training.

I don’t really agree with hiring ex-cops because most of them can’t get the LE mentality out of the way they deal with people. I like ex-militaries because they are loyal, obedient, and have a higher sense of ethics, even though their military training doesn’t translate well to the civilian world despite what most of them want me to believe (hunting terrorists is not the same thing) . like enforcing bail by any stretch of the imagination). I am also ex military.

Lastly, I look for researchers who understand that this is business and not a thrill ride for adrenaline junkies. I appreciate that candidate who tells me that he is a good marketer or networker and is interested in building and maintaining my business with me. He or she maintains a professional image because they understand that they represent CompassPoint Investigations while in the field. That says a lot about his character.