Learn about the important requirements, skills, and keywords that should be included in a security guard resume.
Are you a security professional looking to further your career? Or are you looking to break into the field? If so, you’ll need a strong resume. Although these positions are known for handling all things safety for a building, they also may be responsible for overseeing other aspects of an organization, such as signing in visitors, tracking their whereabouts, and maintaining an accurate security documentation system. A well-crafted resume should reflect your ability to do both physical and administrative tasks. This guide will give you tips and examples to help you design your resume.
If you are struggling with updating your resume, we recommend working with a resume expert. Resume writing services are an affordable way to get professional help! When your resume is polished and ready, you can start applying for jobs with ZipRecruiter.
Security Guard Resume Example
Alex Gardner
345-032-1203
Highly motivated and dedicated security guard with a strong commitment to ensuring the safety and security of people and property. Skilled in surveillance, incident response, and emergency management. Seeking a challenging position as a security guard to utilize my knowledge and expertise in maintaining a secure environment.
Education
Bachelor of Science
Michigan University
Work Experience
Security Officer
Laredo Office Corp, Laredo, TX
2019-Present
- Controlled access to the premises, verifying identification, permits, and authorizations of individuals.
- Conducted routine patrols to identify and address security breaches or vulnerabilities.
- Monitored surveillance systems, promptly responding to any suspicious activities.
Security Guard
Security Guard, INC, Normal, TX
2017-2019
- Conducted regular patrols to monitor and secure the premises, including interior and exterior areas.
- Checked and verified identification of individuals entering the facility to ensure authorized access.
- Monitored surveillance cameras and alarm systems, promptly responding to any unusual activities or breaches.
- Responded to incidents and emergencies, implementing appropriate protocols and collaborating with law enforcement agencies as necessary.
- Provided excellent customer service by assisting visitors, addressing inquiries, and providing directions.
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Skills
- Security operations and procedures
- Surveillance system monitoring
- Emergency response and crisis management
- Access control and visitor management
- Physical fitness and stamina
- Proficiency in the use of security equipment and technology
What Is Unique About A Security Guard Resume?
Writing a resume for a security guard position needs a different approach than other jobs in the security field. Because it’s a job that requires physical and mental strength, proficiency in both needs to be shown through work experience, volunteer projects, or professional skills.
In most cases, you’ll need a guard certification before you can start work or be willing to pursue one. Although many jobs require certification, guard certifications can vary significantly from state to state, even city to city – making a security guard resume unique from other types of security jobs.
When you're ready to find a new security guard position, explore the best job posting sites to find where employers are posting their job openings.
What Should Be Included On An Security Guard Resume?
When you’re ready to start writing, there are a few things you need to include. Here’s a breakdown of each.
Resume Header and Contact Information
Create a solid first impression with your resume header. Place your name at the top in a larger font than the rest of the document, following it with your email, phone number, or links to your professional profiles or portfolio in a smaller font. While not necessary, you can also add a resume summary or objective to give the employer a quick snippet of your experience.
Include different keywords from the job description in your summary or objective. This shows hiring managers you’ve paid attention to the specific qualities and requirements needed for the position.
Work Experience
Work experience is the shining star of your resume. Here, you’ll want to emphasize all your relevant roles and include what your responsibilities were in a concise bullet point. Highlight duties like patrolling premises, monitoring surveillance systems, handling emergencies, and working with law enforcement.
If you don’t have any relevant experience in the security field, include any person-facing experience. Even though it’s not commonly associated with security, interpersonal skills are essential to working in the field. For each job, you should also list the dates you worked there and the name of the company.
Education
Most security guard positions require a high school diploma, but managerial roles may require a bachelor’s degree. When addressing education in your resume, start with your highest level of education, including the name of the school, dates attended, and what degree/diploma you received. If you have any awards, honors, or achievements, you can list them there but it’s not required.
Professional Skills
The professional skills portion of a resume lets hiring mangers know what you excel at. Are you proficient in a specific type of surveillance or security equipment? Do you have a knack for working with people? List all those skills here. There’s no need to describe them, simply list each one in a concise, bulleted format.
What Should Be Left Off A Security Guard Resume?
There are a few things that should be left off a security guard resume, starting with irrelevant personal information like your marital status or number of children. Employer’s don’t need to know anything that’s not explicitly related to the position you’re applying for. Including it could detract from the qualities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate.
If you want to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a security guard, check out our security guard job description.
Important Job Skills For Security Guard
Employers will look for specific skills, depending on the type of security guard they’re looking for. Here are some of the most common that candidates should be prepared to list:
- Experience with security systems, CCTV monitoring, and patrolling grounds
- Conflict resolution
- De-escalation skills
- Emergency response and crisis management skills
- Experience identifying and addressing potential security breaches
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Observational and problem-solving skills
- Physical fitness abilities
Wondering what other things to add to your resume? Our best skills for resume guide might help.
The Bottom Line
With a strong header, plenty of work experience, and the necessary certifications, your security guard resume will be complete. And while creating your own resume is an option, you hiring resume writing service to write and format a resume can be a huge relief – and a way to ensure you’re getting everything included. It’s also important to stay updated on what positions are available. Check ZipRecruiter for the latest security guard job listings!
