Here are a few job postings that you might find while hunting for security guard work. How will you craft your resume with the skills and experience these employers are wanting?
“Looking for Security/Event Staff applicants to provide for safety and security of staff, patrons, artists and volunteers at the Festival Event…must patrol and monitor the exhibits, concert area…”
“Safety and Security Officer wanted for Hotel. Must have great customer service skills for guest interactions…”
“High End Retail Security Guard needed. Must own a black suit, monitor surveillance cameras, report unusual or suspicious behaviors, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies if necessary…”
“Restaurant/bar needs a Bouncer/Security to patrol, ensure safety for patrons, resolve conflicts, work with management to write up incident reports…”
To complete a compelling security guard job resume for any security guard positions, you will need to present all your skills that match the key job descriptions. In a competitive market, this will enhance your chances of securing a security guard job.
The 7 Best Steps to Follow When Writing a Convincing Resume
- First analyze the company with whom you want to apply. Study the company- their website, social media profiles, employee testimonials- to get a sense of their company culture. Consider their reputation on Glassdoor or Indeed. Decide if you are comfortable with the company mission and values. Also assess their work environment, or if there are advancement opportunities with that job.
- Next carefully read the job description with the qualifications and experience that they are looking for in the job posting. The security guard duties and responsibilities resume you would submit for a high end retail store would look very different from your security guard resume description for that of a bank security person, hotel guard, warehouse security, or concert/special event guard. What education, training or security experiences might you offer that they would want or need? Military experience can be a big plus when job hunting for security work, even if you are not tempted by a private military contractor salary or doing military work for a government agency.
- Look at various samples of resumes. The main sections of a resume are generally a career (professional) summary, work history, education, certificates/training, additional skills (e.g. a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt, or fluency in a language). Studying examples of other security guard resumes can give you great ideas to use on your own. You can look up security guard job responsibilities for resumes on sites such as BeamJobs, My Perfect Resume, Zety, Indeed, and LiveCareer. You can also look up samples of Resume Objectives and Resume Summaries to customize for your resume too.
- Should You Use a Resume Objective or a Professional Summary? If you lack job experience, skillfully use a RESUME OBJECTIVE on your resume. This might yield better hiring results for you than using a PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY. A professional summary showcases your job history, skills, and qualifications (which you may be lacking due to little or no work experience). Rather than negatively focusing on sparse work history, instead state your career goals (Resume Objective) for the role for which you are applying. By honestly using a security objective on your resume you just might get hired. Some companies WANT to completely train their security staff in their own standards and procedures. To them, your lack of job background means they do not have to undo other security protocols that a security guard with experience may have learned on previous jobs.
- Align your skills to match the job descriptions. When reading the job postings, potential employers may describe needing candidates with customer-service skills, or patrol experience, or good communication skills, attention to detail, or skills with surveillance cameras, access control, or de-escalation techniques. Specifically highlight any of those abilities they have mentioned on your resume. Also detail responsibilities that you have performed in any key areas that are mentioned in the job listing, even if it is not job experience in the security field. Mention transferable skills such as customer service, attention to detail, problem-solving, physical fitness, communication abilities, reliability, or a great attendance record. Training or certifications, even if not directly related to security, can also show that an applicant has a willingness to learn. Internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities can illustrate other skills, a work ethic, teamwork or reliability as well.
- Craft a professional cover letter to go with your resume. Customize a letter for each job for which you apply. Start your introduction with Dear (contact person) by name to make it personal. If you cannot find their name, use their title (hiring manager). State the position for which you are applying and mention why you’re interested. Creatively spell out your qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the job. There are many online samples to help you craft a good cover letter.
- Finally, be realistic about the job you want and concentrate on the right one. If you know that you are a morning person that doesn’t like large groups of people, do NOT apply as a bar bouncer or concert/event security guard. Those jobs would likely involve working at night, and dealing with big crowds/crowd control. If you are more technologically inclined, you might be better suited for a job with security camera surveillance, drones or access control systems. If you are very customer-service oriented, a front-line security position in an office building or hotel might be for you. Riskier, more physically demanding security jobs like bank guards, armored car security, or personal protection/bodyguard work might be your specialty- if you respond quickly and accurately to dangerous situations.
There is a wide variety of security guard jobs available. Armed or unarmed, remote services, armored car guards, mobile guard services by car, bike or foot patrol, special events, reception/concierge duties, alarm response, personal protection bodyguards, or access control are just a sampling. Thoroughly studying those jobs and trends in the security industry will help you choose your career direction. Then use these 7 key steps to customize your security guard resume to increase your chances for that perfect security guard job.
