The first step to becoming a Security Guard is to write an outstanding resume that will get noticed by hiring managers. But what sections need to be included in your resume? And how do you make it stand out amongst the competition?
Follow the template and tips below to craft yourself a great Security Guard resume that will be impossible to ignore. We’ve also created a downloadable template you can use to help you stand out from the competition.
- What are Security Recruiters Looking For in a Resume?
- What Should a Security Guard Put on a Resume?
- Security Guard Resume Template
- Resume Writing Tips
- How Can My Security Resume Stand Out?
Fill out this form to download your Security Guard resume template:
What are Security Recruiters Looking for in a Resume?
Security companies are looking for a relevant, organized resume that demonstrates that you are the right fit for the job. More specifically, they’re looking for a resume that outlines your job objectives, professional and volunteer experience, current and previous education, relevant training and skills, and certifications. Most importantly, they’re looking to see if you’ve read their job posting and if the information on your resume matches the requirements for the role.
What Should a Security Guard Put on a Resume?
A security professional should put the following information on their resume:
- Contact Information
- Objectives
- Work & Volunteer Experience
- Relevant Training/Skills
- Education
- Certifications
We’ve created a free Security Guard resume example to help you with your application. Below is a breakdown of each section.
Security Guard Resume Template
Contact Information
The first thing you should put on your Security Guard resume is your contact information. This includes your:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Address
Your full name should be in large bold letters, with the rest of the contact information in a smaller, regular font.
Objectives
The following section should be your objectives (also referred to as the ‘highlights’ section). This optional section outlines your most relevant and impressive qualifications, training, skills, and achievements. It also explains why you’re the right candidate for the job.
Don’t go overboard with this section. See this section as more of a resume summary and limit it to two to three sentences.
Work & Volunteer Experience
In this section, you’ll include all relevant work and volunteer experience, both past and present.
Here is a detailed breakdown and what exactly to include:
- The name of the company you worked or volunteered for
- Location
- The years and months you worked or volunteered there (e.g. April 2018 - December 2019)
- A short description of the work you did with the organization and how it relates to security services
This is where you list the details of your role at the company. E.g. your job duties, if you dealt with customers directly, if you handled cash, any software programs you worked with or basic forms of technology that were a big part of your day-to-day (e.g. the telephone, intercom, radio, surveillance equipment, security/reporting software, etc.). Paint a picture of what your role looked like to help the hiring managers understand your experience. Don’t exaggerate your role or responsibilities. Recruiters can see through it and it makes the candidate appear deceptive, especially when it comes to security experience.
Relevant Skills
Think of all the skills you’ve acquired throughout your time in school, previous jobs, while volunteering, and any other past experiences. List hard and soft skills such as technical skills like working with computer systems or certain software programs and soft skills like active listening and verbal communication.
Skills that are often looked for on a Security Guard resume include:
- Communication (both verbal and written)
- Active listening
- Social perceptiveness and ability to work as part of a team
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Good judgement and decision-making
Only list skills that you can give examples of during the interview process. E.g. if you include problem-solving skills on your resume, be prepared to provide an example of a time when you successfully solved a problem.
If you don’t have any security-related experience or training, don’t worry! Customer service, conflict resolution, reliability, and public engagement are some examples of highly regarded and relevant experiences for a Security Guard position. Make sure to include them in your resume as well. As for training, PalAmerican takes great pride in teaching those without prior security experience to help others, care for themselves, and create a safe environment. The company-paid and on-the-job training go beyond current industry standards, ensuring that security professionals are ready to perform with the tools and confidence they need to succeed in their field.
Education
Although some resume templates may encourage you to list your education first, we recommend adding it towards the end. Experience is more relevant for a Security Guard role than education. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included, though.
The education section of your resume should include all relevant education, both past and present. For example, if the job description requires you to have a high school diploma, you won’t need to list your junior high education.
For this section, you’ll want to include:
- The name of the school
- Location
- The years you studied there (e.g. 2015 - 2018)
- Graduate certificate (e.g. diploma, degree, etc.)
- Any relevant courses or extracurriculars that are relevant to becoming a Security Guard (e.g. a criminal justice course)
Certifications
The final section of your Security Guard resume should be any certifications you’ve acquired (outside of formal education). For example, if you’ve taken a CPR course, First Aid, Safety Management, or Conflict Resolution course, you’ll want to list those under this certifications section. Just make sure the certifications listed are relevant to a Security Guard position.
Resume Writing Tips
When writing your Security Guard resume, be sure to follow some of these important resume tips and best practices:
- The minimum font size on your resume should be 12
- Use a common font style that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
- Always use black as your font color
- Clean formatting- flashy graphics make the resume look disorganized and they take away from the intent and appearance of the document
- Make sure each section follows the same format and avoid inconsistencies in the layout
- Write sentences in the correct tense (e.g. when typing your work history, use past tense, but if you’re describing a current role, use present tense)
- Use bullet points to break up the text
- Always spell-check your resume before sending it. Resumes with spelling errors are often discarded immediately. We also recommend using a grammar checker such as Grammarly
- If you have a LinkedIn profile, put a link on your resume. It is also good to keep your LinkedIn account updated
- Don’t include references in your resume. Such references should be submitted to the hiring manager only when asked
Some things NOT to put on the resume that recruiters see often:
- Photo of the applicant
- Family background (such as the name of the applicant's father)
- List of computer programs that are irrelevant to the position applied for (need to have catered resumes)
- GPA scores for education
How Can My Security Resume Stand Out?
Beyond fancy templates and designs, relevancy is key when it comes to making your security resume stand out. Demonstrating your understanding of the role and how your accomplishments have set you up to be the perfect candidate for the job is what will set you apart from the rest. If you have any current or previous involvement in your local security community, such as organization chapters, groups, or meetups, this will also help give you a leg up. Team sports or any form of competitive activity is a bonus because it shows the ability to work well with a group towards a mutual goal.
Put Your Resume to Good Use
Follow the guide above and download our free template, and you’ll have crafted yourself an effective Security Guard resume. Equipped with your new resume, consider applying for a security career with PalAmerican. We’d love to hear from you!
Be sure to listen to The Difference Makers podcast and read our blog to learn more about us and the exciting world of security.
Fill out this form to download your Security Guard resume template:
