You have applied for a great role as a security guard and been asked to come in for an interview! While having your application selected out of the pool of applicants is a great feat, you are not in the clear yet.
An interview can be a challenging process to navigate. We recently provided some tips to help you better prepare for a Security Officer interview. After receiving some great feedback, and listening to the requests of our readers, we have decided to help prep you for some of the questions in which you may be asked during a Security Officer interview.
A team of leading interviewers were consulted to help gather a list of the most used interview questions. Our goal was to answer the burning questions of “What Should I Expect During a Security Officer Interview?” and “What Questions Will I Be Asked During an Interview?”
The information below has been organized to help you answer these and provide you with the tools required to excel at the ever important first impression.
Before the Interview
There is an interview etiquette that all candidates should follow. If you haven’t done so already, please review our post on how to ‘prepare for a Security Officer interview,’ to help set you up for success in your next interview.
What questions do we ask at a security interview?
Candidates are asked a variety of questions, which can range from technical, to general and job specific.
Below are examples of the questions you could be asked:
General Questions
- What is your availability for shifts? (ex. Afternoon shifts, overnights, etc.)
- Do you have your own vehicle and / or a valid driver’s license?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- Do you have any certifications? (ex. First aid)
Technical Questions
- Are you comfortable riding a bicycle to patrol?
- Are you comfortable working in a healthcare facility, where there may be sight of blood, bodily fluids, sick patients, etc.?
- Are you comfortable working with computers / technology?
Job Specific Questions
- What is your understanding of the position you applied for?
- Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?
- What is your previous work history?
- Have you ever been terminated?
- Quit without providing notice?
- Omitted any work experience from your resume?
All questions listed are quite common, yet not all candidates take proper time to mentally prepare themselves with appropriate answers. In addition to these questions, the interviewer might also ask you about some behavioral scenarios of past security incidents. Take your time to answer clearly and articulate any extra information that you feel showcases your talents or short-term/long-term goals. This helps the interviewer asses your security experience, problem solving, observation skills, communication and ability to follow direction.
Remember that your interview time is your moment to highlight your skills, work ethic, approach to teamwork, and interest within the field of work you are applying for. To best do this, it is important to research the position, company, and industry as much as you can. As a starting point, review the company’s website (ex: www.palamerican.com) to read about organizational facts, methodology, and to understand who you are trying to become a member of. This will aid in your ability to address the questions noted above and show your interviewer that you are dedicated to this position and not applying thoughtlessly.
How to Close Out an Interview
So, you’ve presented yourself as a professional and thoughtfully replied to all inquiries made by your interviewer – now what?
How do you close out an interview to finalize that lasting impression and further solidify your place as the best candidate for the job? While it is great to know what you may be asked, it is always handy to display how much you’ve prepared by having questions to also ask your interviewer.
A job application is a mutual process that links an employer with the best applicants for their business, and applicants with the best employer for their career goals. Below are some suggestions that a well-prepared applicant can do during the final stages of the discussions.
Questions to ask an employer in an interview
- Ask questions about the company based on your research of their website.
- Ask about the culture and direction of the company.
- What does the interviewer like best about working at the company?
- What does success look like in this role?
- What should you expect for the next stage of the interview process?
Additional tips for the end of an interview
- Close with a summary of your qualifications and state in 1-2 sentences why you feel you are the best person for the role
- Send a thank you letter / email to your interviewer 1-3 days after the meeting
We hope that future candidates will take the time to practice these tips we have suggested. If you’re still unsure if you should take the next step to begin your career in security, here are 10 Reasons to reconsider.
Join our PalAmerican Team
We would love to hear from anyone interested in joining our team. As you prepare yourself for an interview using the tips listed above, our Talent Acquisition group looks forward to supporting you.
To apply for a Security Officer position, view our opening positions here.
