How to Write a Security Guard Resume
How to Write a Security Guard Resume
Putting your best foot forward in the security industry
So you’ve completed your security training, you’ve got your security licence and now you are ready to start applying for jobs!
Congratulations!
You’ll want to get your security guard resume in tip top shape so you can actually get some work with your new qualification and licence. So, how do you structure a resume for the security industry? What should you do about not having any current expericence and what should you include from previous jobs?
At ASSET, we work with security providers every day and we know exactly what they want to see on a resume. While we train security guards, we also have a dedicated team who assist students to find jobs in the security industry. We do this by creating relationships with leading security providers and nurturing these relationships, so you have a direct link to employment.
We also run unique, pre-screening for employment workshops for ASSET graduates where we take you through a mock interview, provide feedback on your resume and help you to find opportunities that suit your goals. In addition, you can attend our employer connections events, skipping SEEK and connecting with employers face to face.
Here is some insight into what we share with graduates on writing their first security guard resume!
Size matters
The truth is lengthy resumes don’t get read. You should reduce the size of your security guard resume to the bare essentials and keep it to two pages. With all important info at the top of the first page.
Rethink the structure
Did you know you that a HR recruiter will spend an average of 4 seconds skimming a resume before deciding if they will look through it properly?
Scary we know, but it’s true. That’s why it’s so important that you include the most relevant information front and center. We’re not sure how you have your resume structured currently but for the security industry you’ll have to include a few things on the first page.
The structure of a security guard resume should include your name, address and availability on the first page.
Give your license information
We recommend including your licence information and all relevant courses you’ve completed including the Certificate II in Security Operations, your First Aid course as well as any other relevant short courses such as RSA and White Card on the first page of the resume.
Employers want to be able to scan your resume and immediately see that you are both qualified and licensed to work in the industry. Take the guess work out of it for them and make your resume stand out from the rest by having these details up in lights on the first page.
Include a Summary on the first page
On the first page of the resume where you’ve got your licences, education and availability, also include a summary. This summary is your chance to pitch yourself in 25 words or less.
Tell the employer about your strengths, previous applicable expericence and any security specific career goals you might have, such as a desire to work in CCTV or an interest in covert cash in transit.
What if I don’t have experience?
Everyone has to start somewhere. A lot of people come to the security industry from other professions with no direct security experience.
The security industry is not one to discriminate. There will be some roles that will be out of reach until you have gained some experience of course, but a lot of the roles just require you to have the appropriate licence, great professional presentation, a good attitude and a willingness to learn.
Talk up customer service roles
If you’ve worked anywhere that you have had to deal with people and carry out exceptional customer service, make sure to talk it up on your resume. Security is all about helping people and at it’s core is customer service so highlighting that kind of relevant experience can help you land a role.
Include relevant working history
You should include previous roles in which you gained transferable skills that you can highlight. This will show your ability to use these skills in your new role as a Security Officer.
Anything to do with customer service should be included. Anything where you had responsibility for a particular area, maybe had to set the alarms at night and close up shop or had to do shift work. Also things like spending long hours on your feet, or needed to have good attention to detail. All of these are transferrable skills which are perfect for the security industry.
For each role include your title, the company you worked for, an overview of the role in one to two sentences and then dot points of two to three key responsibilities.
You can download a security guard resume template that we use here.
Now that we have your resume sorted, let’s talk about interviewing tips.
Interview Tips for a Security Guard Job
Dress to Impress
It might sound a little overboard but you shoudl wear a suit to your interview. A black suit with a crisp white shirt screams professional security.
It has become the standard in the industry and while you may end up wearing a uniform for the actual role or having a different required dress code, a black suit will communicate your professionalism and your commitment to the role when you go to the interview.
Be confident
If you’ve trained with ASSET, you should have every reason to be confident.
You’ve learnt from some of the top people in the security industry and you’re well prepared to handle your role.
In security you’ll usually start out shadowing someone else when you’re a newbie. You won’t thrown out there alone to patrol whole buildings or anything and companies are well aware that everyone needs time to learn.
You’ve got this and showing the interviewer you’re confident about the role will help them to believe you’re capable.
Show some enthusiasm
While you don’t want to get so excited it comes across as nerves, you do want to show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the role. You don’t just want to work anywhere, you want to work with them.
Show them you’re going to be passionate about the role and they’ll be more likely to choose you.
Do some research
Rocking up to the interview with no knowledge of the company you’re going to be working for is a rookie mistake.
It is likely the interviewer is going to ask you what you know about the company. This happens in almost every interview.
If you come back with a wild guess and it’s wrong, your interviewer is going to have reservations about your interest in the role and will be less likely to give you the job over another applicant who has done their research.
You don’t need to know everything about a company but just some information on what they do, the types of security services they offer and any of their current clients will go a long way to building a rapport between you and the interviewer.
We hope these tips were helpful and we wish you the best of luck in getting your first security role!
Remember if you’re an ASSET graduate, we have support available for you. Send an email to connections@asset.edu.au to get started.
Not a current security guard but this article has you interested? Contact our team to find out more about opportunities in the securtiy industry.