Security Guard Resume Examples & Templates
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Security guard resume example (text version)
Sebastian Reed
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Skilled security guard offering over two years of experience in security. Highly experienced in safety risk analysis, de-escalating conflicts and controlling behaviors. Background includes monitoring entrances, facility grounds and closed-circuit feeds. Leverages excellent listening and service skills in emergency response and evaluation procedures.
Skills
- Report writing
- Surveillance skills
- Crime prevention
- Security guard license
- Theft prevention training
- Physical stamina
- Problem-solving
- Strong communication
Work History
April 2018 – Current
Bright Sky Group – Minneapolis,MN
Security Guard
- Respond quickly to emergency situations, typically within two minutes of the alarm sounding to assess and deflect issues.
- Complete full building and grounds patrols every hour to spot and investigate concerns.
- Write reports of daily activities and irregularities such as property damage, theft, guest or employee accidents and unusual occurrences, reducing safety threats by 85%.
September 2017 – March 2018
Secure Entertainment LLC – Minneapolis, MN
Bouncer
- Secured premises and personnel by patrolling the property and monitoring surveillance equipment such as cameras.
- Maintained composure and professionalism while screening over 500 visitors during high-volume periods.
- Informed violators of applicable rules and removed unauthorized individuals from the premises.
July 2016 – August 2017
Chipotle – Minneapolis, MN
Restaurant Team Member
- Restocked food items, including condiments and toppings, when inventory ran low.
- Successfully communicated with all 12 team members to navigate job duties and complete daily tasks.
- Suggested add-on items like desserts and side dishes, which increased by 25% of revenues through upselling.
Education
June 2016
Edison High School Minneapolis, MN
High School Diploma
Important resume sections
Contact details
Include your contact details in this section so that employers can reach you to set up an interview. Add your full name, city, state and ZIP code, followed by your phone number and email address. Additionally, you can also include a link to your professional website, LinkedIn profile or other relevant networking profile.
Professional summary
A professional summary is your introduction to the hiring manager where you will present your most relevant skills and work experience.
Write your years of experience and one or two professional accomplishments in no more than five sentences. Remember to tailor this section to the security guard job description for a resume that stands out to employers.
Here’s an example security guard resume summary to get you started:
“Experienced and highly motivated security guard with over five years of experience providing exceptional security services. Skilled in monitoring surveillance systems, patrolling designated areas and controlling access to facilities. Proven track record of preventing theft, damage and unauthorized access to property.”
You can also take a look at our resume examples for security guards to reference additional resume summaries. We recommend checking out security guard duties and responsibilities for resume summary examples and ideas of keywords to include, such as “surveillance systems” and “theft prevention.”
Skills
Catch the recruiter’s attention by including relevant skills on your resume. Reference your target security guard job description for resume skill ideas, such as observation, communication, physical fitness and problem-solving.
Create a balanced bulleted list of hard skills, like theft prevention, surveillance and conflict resolution, and soft skills, such as communication, collaboration and relationship-building.
Touch on your knowledge of security procedures, such as access control, surveillance and emergency response. Also, note relevant technical skills, such as familiarity with security technology, including CCTV, access control systems and alarms.
Basic knowledge of first aid and CPR can be helpful skills for security guards when responding to emergencies as well. If this is your first job as a security guard, you can include transferable skills from related experience. See our security guard resume templates for additional examples of skills to include on your resume.
Work history
List your work history in reverse-chronological order to showcase your experience in the field. Add the company names, locations and dates of employment.
For every job, include a bulleted list of at least three measurable accomplishments that demonstrate the impact you made. For example, “Reduced theft by 25% through increased surveillance and patrols.”
Emphasize your experience in maintaining a safe and secure environment for people and property and your ability to follow security procedures and protocols.
If you have experience in a particular type of security, such as retail, event or corporate security, highlight your expertise in that area.
If this is your first job, your beginner security guard resume can include other relevant work experiences, like volunteer experience, community service or professional projects.
Education
Use bullet points to create the education section of your security guard resume. For each bullet point, include the educational institution’s name, the degree conferred and your graduation year. If your graduation date was 10 years ago or more, you can skip it. If you did not attend college, list your high school and any other post-high school coursework you’ve completed.
The education requirements for security guards vary depending on the employer and the type of security job. In general, most security guards need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may require additional education or training, such as a certification in security or law enforcement.
Additionally, employers may also prefer security guards with an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. This may be especially true for security jobs that require a higher level of responsibility or specialized knowledge, such as working in corporate security or as a security consultant.
In addition to formal education, many security guards receive on-the-job training from their employers. This may include training on security procedures, emergency response, first aid and the use of security technology, such as surveillance cameras and access control systems.
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Action words for your resume
Use compelling action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements, such as “patrolled,” “monitored,” “responded,” “restrained” and “reported.” Refer to our security guard sample resume for additional examples. Combine them with measurable achievements to create an effective resume for a security guard.
Here’s a short list of action words for a security guard resume:
- Monitor
- Surveillance
- Report
- Document
- Protect
- Maintain
- Escort
- Ensure
- Fill
- Patrol
- Check
- Respond
- Conduct
- Communicate
- Enforce
- Provide
- Train
- Operate
Our Resume Builder can help you create an effective security guard resume in a few minutes. It has all the tools you need, including step-by-step guidance and content suggestions written by Certified Professional Resume Writers.
Best skills for your resume
Grab the recruiter’s attention by creating a skills section with your best security guard skills. Use the job description to match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
Some security guard resume skills include the following:
- Safety risk analysis
- Theft prevention
- Surveillance
- Emergency and crisis response
- Excellent communication skills
- Physical strength
- Stamina
- Observational skills
- Patience
- Cultural competence
- Thorough reporting and documentation
- Ability to sit, walk or stand for extended periods of time
- Excellent vision and hearing
- Patience
- ID verification
- First Aid & CPR
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Basic computer software skills
Scan the job description for security guard resume skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Check out our security guard resume sample or browse our library of 800+ resume examples to get inspired.
Certifications for your resume
Certifications can provide a potential employer the reassurance that you have the skills to perform the role of a security guard. Depending on the employer, you might need certifications.
Here are a few examples of certifications for a security guard resume:
- Certification Protection Professional (CPP)
- Physical Security Certification (PSC)
- Associate Protection Professional (APP)
- Certified Lodging Security Guard
- Certified Cargo Security Professional
- First Aid Certification
- CPR & AED Certification
See our sample resume for security guards for examples of how to craft the certifications section of your resume.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Security Guard resume FAQ
How do you make a resume for a security guard job?
To make an impressive resume for a security guard job, you’ll want to highlight relevant skills such as attention to detail, situational awareness and conflict resolution. Provide specific examples in your work history section of how you fostered these skills in past roles.
For example, you could say, “Managed access control to a busy retail store, successfully preventing theft and ensuring a safe shopping environment” to demonstrate your experience with theft prevention.
Security guards need to have certain personal qualities, such as being reliable, punctual and responsible. Make sure to highlight these qualities on your resume. See what to put on a resume for additional guidance on what to include in each section of your resume.
Use our sample security guard resume as a guide to build your resume. You can also create an effective resume quickly and easily with our Resume Builder, which provides step-by-step guidance and resume templates for security guards.
What should you include in a resume summary for a security guard?
Your professional summary is your introduction to the hiring manager. They’ll read this and the skills section before moving on to the rest of the resume. Here are a few tips on how to write a good professional summary for a security guard resume:
- Include your strongest job-relevant information.
- Always tailor your professional summary to the job description.
- Open with your years of experience.
- Include your strongest job-relevant skill.
- Add an important achievement or two that could resonate with the employer.
Here is an example resume summary for a security guard resume:
“Dedicated and vigilant security guard with three years of experience protecting people and property. Skilled in monitoring and controlling access points, conducting patrols and responding to incidents in a timely and effective manner. Proven ability to maintain a safe and secure environment while providing exceptional customer service.”
We recommend using an AI resume builder to craft your resume, which can instantly generate a compelling resume summary tailored to your job title or industry.
How do you include licenses on a security guard resume?
When including licenses on a security guard resume, create a separate section on your resume specifically for licenses and certifications. This will make it easy for the hiring manager to find and review your credentials.
List your licenses in order of relevance to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a security guard position that requires a specific license, such as a Concealed Carry Permit or a Guard Card, list those licenses at the top of the section.
For each license, include the type of license, the issuing authority and the expiration date. This will demonstrate that your licenses are current and in good standing. Reference the examples below:
- California Guard Card, issued by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, expires 06/2023
- CPR and First Aid Certification, issued by the American Red Cross, expires 09/2022
- Baton Permit, issued by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, expires 06/2024
- Concealed Carry Permit, issued by the State of California Department of Justice, expires 12/2025
By including your licenses on your security guard resume, you can demonstrate your qualifications, professionalism and commitment to the industry.
How do you write a security guard resume when you have no experience?
Even if you haven’t worked as a security guard before, you may have developed skills through other jobs, volunteer work or hobbies that can be applied to the role. By highlighting your transferable skills, you can create a strong security guard resume even if you have no prior experience in the field.
If you have any education or training that is relevant to the security industry, make sure to include it on your resume. This could include coursework in criminal justice or law enforcement, training in CPR and first aid or certifications in defensive tactics.
Security guards need to be reliable and responsible, so make sure to highlight any experiences or skills that demonstrate your dependability. For example, you could mention that you have never been late to a job, have experience working in high-pressure situations or have a reputation for being trustworthy.
See how to make a resume with no experience for additional guidance from career advice experts.
What should a security guard's resume look like?
A security guard’s resume should have a professional and clean layout that is easy to read and understand. The appearance of your security guard resume will also depend on the resume format and template you select.
Whether you need a chronological, functional or combination resume, we’ve got you covered with a wide selection of customizable, professionally designed templates. The chronological format is a great choice for a security guard resume as it allows you to clearly display previous security-related roles.
Additionally, ensure that your resume is free of formatting or grammatical errors. Security guards need to have a keen eye for detail, and an error-free resume is an excellent way to showcase that skill.
Whichever format you choose to follow, your resume should be professional, clear and concise. Avoid complicated designs that can be distracting for human readers and difficult for automated screening systems to parse. See what your resume should look like for additional tips and tricks.
Best practices
- Use measurable achievements to describe your security guard skills and experience. For example, “Reduced security incidents by 5% through increased presence and vigilance.”
- Use action words — such as conducted, maintained and implemented — to make an impact on your security guard resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target security guard job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your security guard resume. For instance, “access control,” “CCTV surveillance” and “incident reporting.”
- Format your security guard resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your security guard experience and skills.
- Boast about your “incomparable” security guard abilities. Instead, include concrete examples of your experience with crowd control, emergency response, patrolling and other relevant duties.
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience that do not pertain to a security guard. Instead, focus on relevant skills such as first aid and CPR, risk assessment and security clearance.
- Forget to proofread. A security guard resume with errors is unprofessional and will be discarded.
Interview tips
Research the potential employer
When applying for a security guard position, it is important to research the company to demonstrate your interest in the job and to ensure that the company is a good fit for you.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s history and mission to understand its values and goals. Research the type of security services the company provides and what industries it serves, such as retail, corporate or event security.
Research the security technology used by the company, such as CCTV, access control systems and alarms. Familiarity with these technologies can be an asset in your application.
Research the company’s hiring process, such as what type of interview to expect and what documents you need to provide. This can help you prepare for the application process and make a good impression on the employer.
Practice at home.
Ease your nerves by prepping. Practice an interview with the help of a friend or relative. Start by reviewing the most common interview questions:
- Describe the System You Use for Keeping Track of Multiple Projects.
- What Is the Most Significant Contribution You Made to the Company During a Past Job or Internship?
- Give examples of your willingness to work hard.
Research behavioral interview questions and job-specific interview questions. Here are a few examples of questions you may be asked during a security guard interview:
- What inspired you to become a security guard, and what motivates you to continue doing this job?
- How do you handle difficult or confrontational situations with members of the public or employees?
- Describe a time when you had to respond to an emergency situation. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you stay alert and focused during long periods of inactivity or monotony?
- What strategies do you use to prevent security breaches or criminal activity in your workplace?
Being prepared will boost your confidence during the interview. Remember not to overdo it, which will have the opposite effect.
Prepare questions.
The interview goes both ways: you’re interviewing the employer as much as they’re interviewing you. Prepare between three and five questions to learn more about the role and how the employer fits your career goals.
Here are a couple of questions that you can ask during an interview for a security guard position:
- Can you describe the company’s work culture and team dynamic?
- What type of training and support do you provide to new security guards?
- What is the typical work schedule for this position?
- Can you describe the security protocols and procedures in place at this facility?
- How does the organization handle emergency situations and what role would I play in those situations?
Aim to ask open-ended questions and give the interviewer a chance to answer them.
Round up your references.
Contact former managers and colleagues to be professional references as you apply for a security guard position. Your potential references should be able to vouch for your work ethic and skills.
Explain to them where you are in the process and let them know they could receive a phone call or email. Also, request at least two letters of recommendation for you.
If this is your first job as a security guard, you can request a reference from a mentor, community leader, volunteer coordinator or classmate who can vouch for your skills.
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Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. Article. What is a Security Guard?
- Learn.org. Article. Security Guard: Career Summary, Occupational Outlook, and Education Requirements
- EdApp by SafetyCulture. Article. Rivera, Gabrielle. 10 Security guard skills (and how to improve them)
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Security Guard Resume Example
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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