To understand the role of a warehouse security guard, here is some background to review for insight into warehouse security guard duties and responsibilities. This is a brief overview of the warehouse workspace itself and how it affects guard duties.
A warehouse is primarily about the movement and storage of physical goods.
These goods can be raw materials, packing materials, spare parts, components, or finished goods associated with agriculture, manufacturing and production.
These industrial buildings are sometimes located in industrial parks, accessed by trucks, or have loading docks situated near railways, airports or sea ports. Warehouse security guards must be especially skilled in monitoring entry/exit points, since thefts involving full truckloads of cargo are one of the most prevalent methods of warehouse cargo theft.
Warehouse spaces are often vast, so patrols and monitoring of internal premises and external boundaries are vital activities of any warehouse security guard.Warehouse guards must be alert, observant, and physically fit, educated in technology that monitors large spaces. Guards must be interconnected with security guard management software systems to maximize their security impact.
Many warehouses are filled with large potentially dangerous equipment like cranes, trucks, storage refrigerators, or sorting/packaging machinery. This makes guard enforcement of property rules and regulations a must for maintaining safety for employees and visitors. Acting proactively and quickly to provide assistance, maintain order, and respond to emergencies are also qualities all warehouse guards should possess.
Above all, internal and external theft in warehouses makes access control and monitoring by warehouse security guards the biggest part of a guard’s job. External theft including organized retail crime alone accounted for 36.15% of retailers’ losses in 2022 while internal theft was 28.85% of retail loss. Internal warehouse theft costs US businesses nearly $16 billion per year. Ultimately warehouse security guards are the protective line put in place to safeguard a clients’ assets/goods from shrinkage. A guard’s skillful management of warehouse access control systems is the primary crucial role of warehouse security.
So what is the warehouse security guard job description that you can list on your resume? Some of your qualities to emphasize would be:
- Quick assessment of situations
- Skill in de-escalating confrontations
- Your capable response to incidents
- Ability to provide first aid or CPR in emergencies
- Capacity for writing clear activity reports with detailed documentations
Here’s A Sample Of A Professional Summary On A Resume:
“Skilled security guard with over xxx years of experience in security. Highly experienced in de-escalating conflicts and controlling behaviors. Extensive background in patrolling and monitoring access points of facilities, using the latest surveillance equipment and security cameras. Observant and detail-oriented, using skills to ensure full premises safety. Communicates well, thoroughly completes reports by recording observations, occurrences and surveillance activities. Possesses physical stamina. Flexible schedule/available for all shifts.”
There is ongoing debate on whether your resume should have a Professional Summary at the top portion of it, OR a Resume Objective (which includes your career goals for the role for which you are applying. Example of a resume objective:
“Recent college graduate with two years of experience as a Neighborhood Watch volunteer seeking a security guard job with Acme Shopping Mall to grow my skills in a professional environment.”
Resume objectives should include career goals that match with the job posting. Examples:
“…hope to use my surveillance/observation skills to train and mentor entry-level security guards…”
“…searching for a fulfilling role to actively protect residents and property of the XYZ complex…”
Using a Professional Summary on your resume as opposed to a Resume Objective gives more details and is especially useful for a guard with a lengthier work history. Some job applicants choose to use the Resume Objective information in their cover letter instead, and do the Professional Summary at the top portion of the resume.
Your WORK HISTORY portion of your resume should include details about what skills each of your previous jobs entailed. Here’s a good example of a “bouncer job” on your resume work history:
Bouncer
(Worked) Month/year – Month/year
Company Name, City, State Secured premises and personnel by patrolling property and monitoring surveillance equipment such as cameras. Maintained composure and professionalism while screening over 500 visitors during high volume periods. Informed violators of applicable rules and safely removed unauthorized individuals from premises.
There are various samples of resumes that you can access to help you write your own warehouse security guard resume- Indeed, CareerBuilder, Monster or Live Career for example. Crucial details to mention are first aid, CPR or AED certifications, square footage of/number of buildings you routinely monitored, skill with report writing/operational logbook updating skills, and any management/supervisory experience. CCTV systems and perimeter security/access control systems are primary in preventing theft for warehouse locations. Therefore highlight any familiarity with the use of CCTV surveillance, gate systems, screening wands, security lighting or specialized equipment (such as PIR passive infra-red or ANPR license plate recognition cameras) and other security equipment on your resume. It is recommended to customize your resume to each specific company’s job posting. Carefully read the job description and tailor your resume and cover letter accordingly.
In summary, today’s warehouse security guards must understand the challenges of warehouse work, employ the best practices, and master the use of all available technological solutions. A well-trained warehouse security guard is essential to ensure complete warehouse protection.
