As you know, security guards protect people and property and maintain order by enforcing rules. Whether you work as a stationary or patrol guard, you must apply your skills to keep people or items safe. By learning the skills of effective security guards and how to develop them, you can improve your performance or prepare to work as a security guard.
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In this article, you can find a list of skills you need for a security guard. Read on, and you will understand how to improve your skills and get ways to demonstrate them in your resume and interview.
Firstly, let’s present to you the list of
TOP skills for security guard jobs:
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Following Complex Instructions
- Knowledge of Security Operations and Procedure
- Knowledge of Basic Security and Fire Inspection Procedures
- Interpersonal Skills
- Manage Multiple Tasks
- Surveillance Skills
- Emotional Control
- Lifting
- Safety Management
- Dependability
- Judgment
- Objectivity
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Reporting Skills
- Patrolling
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
Security guard skills refer to the qualities used in guarding a person, building, or object of value. These qualities can be soft skills or hard skills. While soft skills determine how you work with others, hard skills are acquired abilities improved through practice, training, or education.
Expanding your security guard skills can help you get more employment opportunities. For example, improving your skills may make you a more competitive candidate for a security guard position or make you eligible for a promotion. Evaluate your security guard skills to determine what aspects you need to develop and make an improvement plan.
Here are
9 skills for security guards that you need to have to succeed at work:
- Communication
Communication is the ability to exchange information with other people. You need excellent written and verbal communication skills to be successful as a security guard.
Verbal communication skills will help you discuss building security issues with customers and defuse the situation. They can also come in handy when announcing to visitors, exchanging information with co-workers, and describing events or individuals to police officers.
Similarly, written communication skills are necessary for drafting memos, writing police statements, and commenting on fire alarm forms. Effective communication also involves actively listening to visitors, building owners, and colleagues and responding thoughtfully.
- Attention to detail
Attention to detail is the ability to concentrate on the details of a task. For example, being a security guard requires being attentive to security-related events. Attention to detail and proactivity will help you remember actions, avoid distractions and provide accurate reports.
- Physical fitness
Physical fitness is the ability to complete daily activities with optimum performance, stamina, and strength. Physical fitness helps you cope with the physical challenges of being a security guard. For example, you may spend most of your time standing or walking around buildings or grounds.
You may also need to lift heavy objects or chase someone who has witnessed a rule violation. Improve your physical fitness and endurance through physical training.
- Customer service
Customer service is the ability to help customers achieve their goals. It determines how you interact with customers. For example, working as a security guard involves following instructions on interacting with customers.
For example, a company may provide training on how to conduct passenger security checks. Working with customers can also help direct visitors into a building or explain security procedures to event guests.
- Critical thinking
Critical thinking skills include looking at a situation objectively and drawing conclusions. You need these skills to analyze workplace safety hazards and act with reason rather than emotion.
Critical thinking can also help you become more decisive. For example, you tend to make better decisions if you can quickly analyze behavior and determine if a safety threat exists. You can also use your critical thinking skills to choose patrol routes, areas, and locations and to implement the most appropriate emergency response.
- Teamwork
Teamwork means the ability to cooperate with others to achieve a common goal. For example, although security guards usually work independently, you may need to work with others. For example, a security guard may work as part of a security team to deliver money to a bank.
Teamwork can be helpful when surveillance activities or buildings from multiple monitors. This skill also includes observing a room when a partner is taking a break or changing positions with other team members to maintain concentration during a shift. Improving your teamwork skills will help you do a better job of guarding people and objects.
- Problem-solving
Problem-solving is the ability to identify the source of a problem and find an effective solution.
This skill will help you address safety issues effectively. For example, you can use problem-solving skills to deal with a mistaken identity situation. Problem-solving skills can also help you conduct investigations to find missing people etc.
- Technology
Technology skills are qualities that allow you to perform tasks using a variety of technologies. For example, you may need electronic equipment to monitor alarm systems and activities at a security guard job.
You may also use word processing software to prepare reports, file electronic incident reports, and obtain customer information from databases. In addition, this position may require you to use x-ray scanners to identify prohibited items. Developing technical skills will help you effectively secure people and objects.
- Organization
Organizational skills are qualities that describe your ability to use resources well.
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Showing organizational skills can be helpful when working with documentation. For example, being organized helps you find previous reports for reference. In addition, being organized can help you use your time, workspace, and energy.
How can you improve your security guard skills?
If you want to improve your performance as a security guard, follow these steps to develop your skills:
- Perform a self-assessment.
Start by identifying what guarding skills you need to develop. Self-assessment, or self-analysis, involves analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, core values, and goals. This will help you track your career progression.
For example, knowing how to operate surveillance equipment may be your strength, and honesty may be part of your core values. You can also improve your physical fitness to become a patrolling security guard at sporting events.
- Participate in specialized training.
Training programs can help you develop hard skills, such as physical fitness and technology skills. These programs include workshops, lectures, seminars, orientation programs, or safety classes.
You can also participate in training designed to develop “soft” skills. For example, find online communication courses if you want to get better at communicating effectively. You can also take training if you carry a firearm.
- Consider joining security guard organizations.
Membership in security organizations can also help you improve your professional skills. For example, you can become a member of the Security Association to keep up-to-date on security practices and surveillance equipment. These organizations may also provide training for their members.
- Network with other security guards
As you work guarding skills, build professional relationships with other guards. You can network with experienced guards on social media, and your network can help you learn new perspectives on security procedures and techniques. You can also find a mentor by networking with other security guards.
Ways to demonstrate guard skills
If you need some ideas on how you can demonstrate your security guard skills, continue reading.
- Demonstration of guard skills during the interview
During the interview, demonstrate your skills as a security guard by talking about your experience protecting people and property. You can also show your skills by giving thoughtful answers to questions the interviewer may ask. For example, suppose you are asked how you would handle a security threat. You can use this opportunity to emphasize your ability to work in a team, solve problems and think critically.
- Demonstration of security guard skills in cover letter and resume
When writing your resume, create a section devoted to your skills. You can list them and indicate the proficiency levels of each skill. A skill level describes how well you can apply a skill. For example, you may be an expert observer and a customer service specialist. In your cover letter, list your most important skills for working as a security guard. You should give examples that demonstrate your competence in each skill.
- Demonstration of security guard skills in the workplace
Emphasize your skills as a security guard by accurately completing tasks and preventing security problems. For example, you can apply your technical skills by using metal detectors to ensure that people only bring authorized items into the building. You can also demonstrate your teamwork skills by strategizing with your colleagues to keep people safe.
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Finally, now you see all skills that you need for a security guard. This short article becomes a step-by-step guide to understanding and improving necessary skills for security guard positions.
