Security guards play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of businesses and private properties. They are not only responsible for the security of valuable stock or equipment, but most importantly, for the lives of people. Even though it’s a rewarding job, the profession of a security guard is often an overlooked career path. It shouldn’t be that way. This career entails a lot of interesting opportunities and attractive work conditions. If you’re hard-working, honest, and ready for diverse challenges, it may be the perfect job for you.
Find out what to expect working as a security guard and what qualities you should have to perform your duties well.
Job opportunities for security guards
Contrary to common opinion, a security guard can choose from many career opportunities. Depending on your character and skills, you can work in various places and have diverse responsibilities.
If you’re an outgoing and social person, you can work as a corporate building security guard, greeting people in the lobby, giving them directions, and making sure only authorized personnel or guests enter the premises. You can also work in the hospitality sector, where a security guard is responsible for the safety of hotel guests and their belongings.
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For people with a good eye for detail and excellent observation skills, the retail industry may be the best place to work. Among the security guard’s responsibilities are: monitoring the store, preventing damages, and deterring criminals from stealing. The retail industry guards should focus on protecting stock, money, and equipment.
If you’re more of an individualist or introvert, and you don’t mind working at night, you can be a security guard on a construction site or in a warehouse. The work there includes patrolling the premises, preventing theft and vandalism, and making sure no emergencies, such as fires or work accidents, happen.
There is something for those of you who prefer to protect smaller properties – security guards can also provide safety to private premises. Their responsibilities then include preventing trespassing and theft.
If, on the other hand, you are good with crowd management and problem-solving, event security (public events, concerts, parties, etc.) might be an option for you. In this kind of job, the priority of a security guard is to control the traffic and avoid escalation of conflicts.
Security agencies, such as Angleside, offer all of these services. They allocate security guards to specific tasks depending on their skills, talents, and personality.
Advantages of the profession of security guard
Being a security guard is a stable and interesting job. It requires hard work and appropriate training but pays off with a diversity of tasks and a friendly work environment. Many employees, especially professional security agencies, offer attractive salaries, paid vacations, and extensive medical benefits.
Security guards appreciate that they don’t have to spend the whole day by their desks. Instead, they can move around and perform different duties. Many of them also like contact with other people.
Security services offer a lot of entry-level positions, so it’s an excellent opportunity for young people or someone who wants to change career. Many companies provide complete training and help employees at the beginning of their paths.
Security guards also have various career advancement options both within the security services field and outside of it. Many guards, after gaining enough experience, become security managers or apply to public services jobs (such as police officers or firefighters).
Skills and qualities every security guard should have
It’s worth mentioning that being a security guard requires certain skills and qualities. Some of them can be trained, and others represent a person’s character.
License and general requirements
In many countries and regions, security guards are required to have a valid security license. If you are interested in this career, check applicable regulations before applying for the job. Apart from that, security guards should be of legal age and have a clean criminal record.
If security guards want to move higher up the career ladder, they usually have to complete additional courses and training.
Observation skills
Security guards need to be focused and alert all the time. Excellent observation skills allow them to notice irregularities and decide what the right reaction is. The key is to see the change in the surroundings and determine whether it’s serious and requires support from management or public services.
Honesty and integrity
Security officers work independently, without permanent employer control, and are responsible for securing valuable properties. That’s why they have to trustworthy. Honesty and integrity are not qualities that can be learned, so any employer highly appreciates them.
Ability to lead and work in a team
Guards often work in a team, not only with other security officers but also with employees of the company they work for and with public services (police, firefighters, or medical staff). Effective cooperation leads to the best results and has a direct impact on safety standards. And since every team or even a task needs a leader who will manage it, security guards should be ready to lead the team when it’s necessary.
Communication skills and empathy
Good communication skills are priceless in every aspect of a security guard’s job. They are necessary when the guards work in a team, cooperate with emergency services, resolve issues at work, and even in everyday contact with their colleagues and managers. In fact, in most cases, calmness and courteous conversation is the most effective solution.