There is much more to your handwriting than just being a means of conveying information! Through careful study, graphologists are able to identify the writer of a handwritten letter, note or document. They can also tell the mental state of the writer at the time of writing the note and draw his or her personality traits. If you are an analytical thinker, this is a career that could interest you.
What do graphologists do?
The day to day duties of graphologists include:
- Obtaining handwriting samples from people – This may involve observing the handwriting strokes of the writers
- Using calibrated templates, magnifying glasses, or microscopes to measure the height of letters and the degree of slant
- Determining the amount of pressure a writer uses when writing – This is also useful in determining the writer’s emotional energy
- Using theories of handwriting analysis to interpret their findings or observations
- Conducting research to obtain more information on graphology topics.
The work of graphologists is particularly useful in criminal investigations where people write notes before committing suicide or disappearing. So graphologists can help to establish individual’s psychological state.
Work environment
Graphologists work from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. They keep a low profile, spending most of their time in an office environment. However, those, who work in police agencies, may be required to travel to crime scenes.
Salary
The following table highlights some of the top-paying states for graphologists:
|
State |
Annual wage |
|
North Carolina |
$69,000 |
|
Rhode Island |
$61,000 |
|
California |
$56,000 |
|
Texas |
$54,000 |
Source: Salary Expert
Entry requirements
There are no colleges offering undergraduate courses in graphology. As such, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field that can give you a solid foundation for a career in graphology. Some of these disciplines include:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Law
- Sociology
After earning a bachelor’s, you can choose to find employment in a relevant field or directly proceed to pursue a graduate course in graphology or handwriting analysis. Some of the institutions offering these programs include:
- Cambridge School of Graphology (Distance Learning).
- KAROHS International School of Handwriting Analysis
- Handwriting Analysts International
As you can see, graduate courses in graphology are mainly offered by international professional associations. So you should be prepared to pursue a distance learning program.
Important qualities
To be a competent graphologist you need:
- Superior analytical skills
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Strong documentation skills
- The ability to pay close attention to little details
- Good practical skills for using microscopes and other pieces of equipment
- Good report writing skills
- An interest in human psychology
- Good research skills
- Good computer skills
- Good problem-solving skills
Career development
After completing a graduate course, you will be ready to start practicing as a graphologist. You can then:
- Join a professional associations, such as the American Association of Handwriting Analysts. The association provides a range of professional development resources, ranging from graphology books to training workshops
- Obtain the AAHA’s Handwriting Analyst Certification
Your professional competence is an important career progression tool. It is essential to put effort in making accurate analysis of the work you are assigned.
Job opportunities
The employers of graphologists include:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Law firms
- Large corporations
After gaining vast experience in the field, you can move into self-employment by establishing a graphology services company.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t provide occupational data for graphologists. Nonetheless, you should not expect plenty of employment opportunities. Graphology is a very small profession with few job openings in a year. It is advisable to pursue graphology alongside another profession, such as criminology.
But if you are passionate about studying the connection between your handwriting and the brain, then you can excel as a full-time graphologist.