As a security guard, articulating your diverse experiences in risk management and surveillance in a resume can be a daunting challenge. Our comprehensive guide will help you clearly define and showcase your unique skill set, ensuring potential employers immediately recognize your expertise in security measures and protocols.
- Sample industry-leading professional resumes for inspiration and security guard resume-writing know-how.
- Focus recruiters' attention on what matters most - your unique experience, achievements, and skills.
- Write various resume sections to ensure you meet at least 95% of all job requirements.
- Balance your security guard technical expertise with personality to stand out amongst candidates.
If the security guard resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
The importance of format and layout in your security guard resume
Consider you're an HR professional at company X, evaluating two security guard candidate resumes. John Smith presents a simple, traditional, and easy-to-read resume. Edward Price, however, uses a non-conventional, often illegible format. Whose resume would you spend more time on to understand their experience? This scenario underscores the importance of your security guard resume’s design. It should be simply formatted and clearly communicate why you are the ideal candidate for the role.Achieve this balance by:
- Listing your experience, beginning with the most recent and relevant, in reverse chronological order;
- Ensuring your header contains essential information, such as contact details, a headline, and a portfolio link. Include a professional photo in the security guard resume header if you have one;
- Including only the most important and relevant resume sections to showcase your expertise and stand out from other candidates;
- Editing your security guard resume to be no longer than two pages if you have extensive relevant experience. Use your limited resume space judiciously.
Also, remember that your security guard resume might initially be scanned by an Applicant Tracker System (ATS).
When it comes to ATS:
- Opt for simple and legible fonts like Raleway, Rubik, Lato, etc., making your experience easy for the ATS to scan;
- Use serif and sans-serif fonts, both of which are ATS-friendly;
- Avoid overused options like Arial and Times New Roman, which, while suitable, may lack personality.
Contrary to a common myth, our recent study shows that the ATS can effectively process both one-column and two-column resumes. Learn more about this in the ATS myths guide.
Finally, when submitting your security guard resume, always export it as a PDF to ensure all information remains intact, making the document easier to print, read, and scan.
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If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
Fundamental sections for your security guard resume:
- The header with your name (if your degree or certification is impressive, you can add the title as a follow up to your name), contact details, portfolio link, and headline
- The summary or objective aligning your career and resume achievements with the role
- The experience section to curate neatly organized bullets with your tangible at-work-success
- Skills listed through various sections of your resume and within an exclusive sidebar
- The education and certifications for more credibility and industry-wide expertise
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven experience in surveillance systems and patrol operations
- Knowledge and proficiency in conflict de-escalation techniques and crisis management
- Certifications in security-related areas (e.g., CPR, First Aid, security officer certification)
- Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form for reporting incidents
- Demonstrated ability to react appropriately in emergency and high-stress situations
Advice for your security guard resume experience section - setting your application apart from other candidates
Your resume experience section needs to balance your tangible workplace achievements with job requirements.
The easiest way to sustain this balance between meeting candidate expectations, while standing out, is to:
- Select really impressive career highlights to detail under each experience and support those with your skills;
- Assess the job advert to define both the basic requirements (which you could answer with more junior roles) and the more advanced requirements - which could play a more prominent role through your experience section;
- Create a separate experience section, if you decide on listing irrelevant experience items. Always curate those via the people or technical skills you've attained that match the current job you're applying for;
- Don't list experience items from a decade ago - as they may no longer be relevant to the industry. That is, unless you're applying for a more senior role: where experience would go to demonstrate your character and ambitions;
- Define how your role has helped make the team, department, or company better. Support this with your skill set and the initial challenge you were able to solve.
Take a look at how real-life security guard professionals have presented their resume experience section - always aiming to demonstrate their success.
- Managed a team of 5 security personnel, overseeing scheduling and shift rotations to ensure 24/7 facility protection, which reduced unattended hours by 70%.
- Implemented an advanced surveillance system incorporating 100+ cameras and motion sensors, significantly enhancing perimeter security and incident response time.
- Conducted regular security audits, identifying 15+ potential vulnerabilities and working with management to implement strategic improvements.
- Monitored and authorized entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
- Wrote detailed reports of daily activities and irregularities such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
- Patrolled the property on foot and used company vehicles to maintain a visible security presence, responding to alarms and emergency situations swiftly.
- Delivered comprehensive site training to new security staff, enhancing overall team knowledge on security protocols, and reducing onboarding time by 30%.
- Assisted in risk management and loss prevention in a retail setting, contributing to a 15% year-over-year reduction in shoplifting incidents.
- Orchestrated the transition to a new access control system for a 500+ employee office, drastically reducing instances of unauthorized access.
- Coordinated with local law enforcement and first responders during emergency situations, ensuring rapid response and clear communication that improved incident resolution times by 40%.
- Led quarterly security training workshops for 50+ employees, raising awareness of security best practices and emergency response procedures.
- Reviewed and analyzed CCTV footage to investigate instances of theft or vandalism, providing key evidence that led to the apprehension of suspects.
- Facilitated a safe environment for customers and employees as a dedicated security presence in a high-traffic shopping center.
- Enforced property rules and regulations, decreasing policy violations by 25% within the first year of enforcement.
- Managed crowd control during special events and sales promotions, ensuring safety and orderly conduct of up to 2000+ attendees.
- Monitored alarm systems and closed-circuit television cameras, directly contributing to a 20% decrease in security breaches.
- Performed scheduled and random checks of designated areas throughout the shift to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure the security of doors, windows, and gates.
- Conducted detailed investigations into reports of security incidents, compiling evidence and preparing reports that were critical for follow-up actions.
- Operated and maintained walkie-talkies, pagers, and cell phones to stay in constant communication with security team and management.
- Developed a comprehensive emergency response plan resulting in a 50% quicker deployment of security personnel during incidents.
- Implemented a security badge system for a building with 800+ daily occupants, greatly improving the security protocol adherence.
- Regularly inspected fire alarm systems, gates, and other security infrastructure to ensure functionality and compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted training sessions for newly installed security technology, ensuring 100% team proficiency in operating state-of-the-art equipment.
- Acted as the first responder to medical emergencies on the premises, providing basic first aid and coordinating with emergency services for advanced care.
- Assist with the coordination of security operations for special events, managing a group of 20+ guards to ensure guest safety and meet specific client needs.
- Communicate regularly with property management regarding security needs and status, developing trusting relationships that have resulted in contract renewals.
- Evaluate and recommend new security equipment and technology, leading to a 35% increase in security efficiency.
- Provided front-line security services for a high-profile technology firm, managing access control for a complex with over 1,000 daily visitors.
- Executed security protocols during a critical data breach incident, which minimized company losses and protected sensitive information.
- Collaborated closely with the corporate investigations team on internal theft cases, utilizing surveillance and interrogation skills to resolve cases.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Detail the number of hours you've spent monitoring surveillance equipment to showcase your experience and vigilance.
- Include the size of the area or the number of buildings you were responsible for securing to demonstrate the scope of your responsibility.
- Mention the number of incident reports you’ve written to highlight your attention to detail and communication skills.
- Report on the percentage reduction in security incidents during your tenure, showing your effectiveness in the role.
- Specify the number of security protocols you've implemented or improved to illustrate your initiative and capability in enhancing security measures.
- Cite the number of people or assets you have effectively safeguarded to emphasize your reliability and impact on asset protection.
- Quantify the number of training hours completed in various security-related disciplines, indicating your commitment to professional development.
- State the volume of foot traffic or visitors you manage on a regular basis to express your proficiency in handling large and diverse crowds.
Action verbs for your security guard resume
How to shift the focus from your security guard resume experience section to your professional profile
If you're at the start of your career journey or transitioning industries, you might be concerned about the lack of professional experience while crafting your security guard resume.
How can you effectively present your security guard resume experience section under these circumstances?
Rather than a traditional, extensive experience section, demonstrate your expertise through:
- Emphasizing your education. Your academic background might impress recruiters, especially if it includes recent, industry-relevant knowledge;
- Creating a compelling objective statement. The first few sentences of your resume should map out your motivations and career aspirations, offering insight into your goals;
- Highlighting your transferable skills. For example, if you've honed communication skills through volunteering, illustrate on your security guard resume how these can benefit a potential employer;
- Detailing your technical background in certifications and skills sections. As a recent graduate, your technological foundations might be particularly attractive to employers looking to develop these skills further.
It's important to remember that employers sometimes prefer candidates with less experience but who are a better cultural fit for their organization.
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
Popular security guard hard skills and soft skills for your resume
Apart from assessing your professional expertise, recruiters are on the lookout for whether your skills align with the job.
Your profile would thus be assessed in regard to your:
- Hard or technical skills - your ability to perform on the job using particular technologies or software
- Soft skills - how you adapt, communicate, and thrive in different environments.
Both types of skills - hard and soft skills - are important for your resume, so make sure to create a dedicated skills section that:
- Lists up to five or six skills that align with the job advert.
- Integrates vital keywords for the industry, but also reflects on your personal strengths.
- Builds up further your skills with an achievements section within which you explain what you've achieved thanks to using the particular skill.
- Aims to always quantify in some way how you've used the skill, as it's not enough to just list it.
What are the most sought out hard and soft skills for security guard roles?
Check out the industry's top choices with our two dedicated lists below:
Top skills for your security guard resume:
Surveillance systems monitoring
First aid and CPR certified
Access control systems knowledge
Emergency response training
Security protocols expertise
Fire safety compliance
Crime prevention techniques
Incident reporting
Security equipment maintenance
Defensive tactics training
Situational awareness
Communication skills
Problem-solving abilities
Attention to detail
Professionalism
Teamwork
Calm under pressure
Customer service orientation
Observation skills
Conflict resolution
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
Listing your education and certifications on your security guard resume
Don't underestimate the importance of your resume education section . As it may hint at various skills (and experience) that are relevant to the job. When writing your education section:
- Include only higher education degrees with information about the institution and start/end dates
- If you're in the process of obtaining your degree, include your expected graduation date
- Consider leaving off degrees that aren't relevant to the job or industry
- Write a description of your education if it presents you with an opportunity to further showcase your achievements in a more research-focused environment
When describing your certifications on your resume, always consider their relevancy to the role. Use the same format to describe them as you would for your education. If you're wondering what the best certificates out there are for security guard roles, check out the list below.
The top 5 certifications for your security guard resume:
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - ASIS International
- Physical Security Professional (PSP) - ASIS International
- Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - ASIS International
- Certified Security Supervisor (CSS) - International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)
- Security Officer Certification (SOC) - National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP)
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Always remember that your security guard certifications can be quantified across different resume sections, like your experience, summary, or objective. For example, you could include concise details within the expertise bullets of how the specific certificate has improved your on-the-job performance.
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Practical guide to your security guard resume summary or objective
First off, should you include a summary or objective on your security guard resume?
We definitely recommend you choose the:
- Resume summary to match job requirements with most noteworthy accomplishments.
- Resume objective as a snapshot of career dreams
Both the resume summary and objective should set expectations for recruiters as to what your career highlights are.
These introductory paragraphs (that are no more than five sentences long) should help you answer why you're the best candidate for the job.
Industry-wide best practices pinpoint that the security guard resume summaries and objectives follow the structures of these samples:
Resume summaries for a security guard job
- Experienced security professional with over 10 years of dedicated service, proficient in risk assessment, surveillance equipment, and emergency response protocols. Achieved a record low incident rate at a high-profile financial institution through effective team leadership and proactive threat mitigation methods.
- Transitioning from 12 years of military service, a disciplined and vigilant former sergeant with expertise in tactical operations and extensive security training. Looking to leverage top-secret clearance and a solid track record of managing sensitive environments to ensure the utmost protection and safety in a corporate setting.
- Former law enforcement officer with 7 years on the force, adept in criminal investigations, public safety, and incident reporting. Winner of the Community Safety Award for reducing crime rates in a residential area by 25%. Seeking to apply exhaustive law enforcement experience to a private security context, ensuring unprecedented vigilance and safety.
- Diligent IT professional desirous of transferring a 5-year career from cybersecurity to physical security operations. Adept at identifying vulnerabilities, stellar communication skills, and a keen eye for detail, aiming to tackle real-world security challenges with a fresh, tech-savvy approach.
- An enthusiastic newcomer to the security sector, armed with a BS in Criminal Justice and an unwavering commitment to maintaining safe environments. Eager to develop and apply a sophisticated understanding of legal regulations and preventive measures to create a secure atmosphere for employees and clients alike.
- Recent vocational school graduate eager to embark on a career in security management, bringing forth strong knowledge of access control systems, surveillance techniques, and public safety measures. Aspires to contribute to and grow within the security industry, while consistently advancing safety standards.
Other security guard resume sections to support your expertise and skills
Recruiters are always on the lookout for that security guard candidate who brings about even more value to the role.
This can be either via their personality or additional accreditations they have across the industry.
Add to your resume any of the four sections that fit your profile:
- Projects for your most impressive, cutting-edge work;
- Awards or recognitions that matter the most;
- Publications further building up your professional portfolio and accreditations;
- Hobbies and interests to feature the literature you read, how you spend your time outside of work, and other personality traits you deem may help you stand out .
Key takeaways
At the end of our guide, we'd like to remind you to:
- Invest in a simple, modern resume design that is ATS friendly and keeps your experience organized and legible;
- Avoid just listing your responsibilities in your experience section, but rather focus on quantifiable achievements;
- Always select resume sections that are relevant to the role and can answer job requirements. Sometimes your volunteering experience could bring more value than irrelevant work experience;
- Balance your technical background with your personality traits across various sections of your resume to hint at how much time employers would have to invest in training you and if your profile would be a good cultural fit to the organization;
- Include your academic background (in the form of your relevant higher education degrees and certifications) to show recruiters that you have the technical basics of the industry covered.
