Career Advice for a Security Guard

Security guards make sure that premises, personnel, and valuables remain secure. They patrol business premises and monitor access points to prevent unauthorised entry. Security guards use surveillance technology to monitor buildings and inspect security equipment to ensure everything is protected from theft or damage.

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How to Become a Security Guard

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Security Guard

Should you wish to work as a Security Guard you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Security Guard

  • Certificate in Principles of Providing Security Services
  • Security Industry Authority licence
  • Private security training

Key Responsibilities for a Security Guard

  • Patrolling premises to check the security of access points
  • Checking windows, doors, and access points
  • Monitoring CCTV system
  • Responding to alarms
  • Checking staff and other visitors into the premises
  • Issuing visitor passes to non-employees
  • Recording all visitors to the premises
  • Ensuring all people leave the premises at the end of each day
  • Operating scanning equipment when required
  • Guarding access points to prevent unauthorised access

What to expect as a Security Guard

Security guards patrol the grounds of business premises to prevent theft or uno=authorsied access to the premises. You will use monitoring equipment, check windows and doors, and contact law enforcement in the case of suspicious activity. To be successful in this career, you will need excellent communication and observational skills and be physically fit.

Recommended Security Guard Jobs

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How to get Security Guard Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Security Guard job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Security Guard application. If you have not held a Security Guard position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Security Guard role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Security Guard CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Security Guard application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Security Guard in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Security Guard 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Security Guard and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Security Guard experience.

How to get Security Guard Experience

What does it take to be a Security Guard? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Security Guard jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Security Guard through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Security Guard Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Security Guard part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Security Guard or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Security Guard freelance work

If you have impressive Security Guard qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.