Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Subject Profiling • Video Documentation • Witness Interview

Skip Tracing

Term from Private Investigation industry explained for recruiters

Skip tracing is the process of locating people who have "skipped" or moved without leaving a forwarding address. It's commonly used in debt collection, legal services, and private investigation work. Skip tracers use various research methods and databases to find people who may have deliberately tried to disappear or simply moved without updating their contact information. This is similar to what private investigators do, but skip tracing specifically focuses on finding current contact information and whereabouts of individuals.

Examples in Resumes

Successfully located 85% of missing debtors through Skip Tracing techniques

Conducted Skip Trace investigations to locate witnesses for legal proceedings

Managed team of 5 Skip Tracers with 90% success rate in locating subjects

Applied advanced Skip Tracing methods to resolve 200+ missing person cases

Typical job title: "Skip Tracers"

Also try searching for:

Skip Trace Investigator Location Specialist Asset Recovery Specialist Collections Investigator People Locate Specialist Skip Trace Researcher Debtor Location Specialist

Where to Find Skip Tracers

Professional Associations

Online Communities

• LinkedIn Skip Tracing Groups
• Reddit r/privateinvestigator

Job Boards

• PI Jobs on Indeed
• Skip Tracer Jobs on LinkedIn

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle difficult or complex skip trace cases when standard methods don't work?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills, knowledge of multiple research databases, and creative approaches to finding information. Should mention experience with cross-referencing various data sources and developing new search strategies.

Q: How do you ensure compliance with privacy laws while conducting skip traces?

Expected Answer: Should show thorough understanding of FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), GDPR if applicable, and other relevant privacy laws. Should explain proper documentation procedures and when certain search methods are legally permitted.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What databases and research tools do you use for skip tracing?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with major public records databases, social media research tools, and professional skip tracing platforms. Should explain when to use different resources based on the type of case.

Q: How do you verify that you've found the correct person?

Expected Answer: Should describe cross-referencing multiple data points, confirming identifying information, and methods to validate findings before reporting results.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic steps do you take when starting a skip trace?

Expected Answer: Should mention gathering all available information from the client, checking basic public records, and using fundamental search techniques like social media and phone directories.

Q: How do you document your skip tracing efforts?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic case management practices, including keeping detailed records of searches performed, information found, and maintaining a clear timeline of activities.