Employers seek security candidates with a deep understanding of security protocols, risk management, and solid vigilance. This guide provides real security guard resume examples, invaluable tips, and expert advice tailored to the occupation. Learn how to write a standout resume and land your desired job.
"In the watchful silence of your duty, you hold the key to tranquility. Your diligence and vigilance ensure that peace reigns. Stand tall, stay alert, for your presence secures more than just gates and doors — it safeguards trust and serenity,” says expert recruiter Ernestine Council.
Security Guard Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
Entry-Level Security Guard Resume Example
Why this security guard resume example is strong:
This resume calls attention to the candidate’s key skills at the beginning and uses a “highlight” subheading to showcase the candidate’s recognition at their current position.
Mid-Career Security Guard Resume Example
Why this security guard resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate's key skills and relevant certifications under specific section headings.
Senior-Career Security Guard Resume Example
Why this security guard resume example is strong:
This senior-level security guard resume lists the candidate’s relevant credentials at the end of the resume to showcase additional qualifications that may set them apart from other candidates.
Mall Security Guard Resume Example
Why this mall security guard resume example is strong:
This mall security guard resume sets the candidate apart by leading with a strong profile statement that summarizes their experience and ends with relevant certifications.
Police Officer Resume Example
Why this police officer resume example is strong:
This police officer resume highlights key skills at the beginning of the resume and lists important certifications at the end of the resume.
Security Officer Resume Example
Why this security officer resume example is strong:
Because this candidate has a lot of professional experience, they focus the beginning of their resume on their extensive experience with bulleted descriptions. They also include a relevant certification at the end of the resume.
Security Guard Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Security Guard Resume
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
When creating your resume profile, it’s important to be concise and impactful, using two to three sentences to grab the attention of hiring managers. Introduce yourself and make a lasting impression. Mention your years of experience and provide an engaging statistic or achievement that shows your impact.
Start strong to hook readers and entice them to dive deeper into your resume. Emphasize your commitment to crime prevention while featuring skills and experiences that align with the employer’s needs. Study the job description and pull a couple of keywords you can incorporate into your profile, showing your alignment and genuine interest in the role.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Security guard with over 12 years of experience protecting individuals and property. Demonstrated success leading a security team and responding to urgent situations, including those that called for armed security. Effectively engaged with dozens of clients, assessing their needs and offering viable security solutions.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Disciplined security officer with more than a year of experience. Tactfully and firmly enforce safety guidelines and confront any suspicious behavior. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Instead of creating a long list of responsibilities in your professional experience section, take an accomplishment-driven approach. This strategy allows you to demonstrate your impact in previous roles and showcase the skills employers seek.
As much as you can, quantify your experience as a security guard to help hiring managers understand the tangible results of your work. Include specific metrics, such as the number of incidents prevented, reduction in theft or vandalism rates, or improvements in response times. These quantifiable achievements demonstrate your effectiveness and contribute to a strong resume. Use action verbs to bring a dynamic element to your descriptions.
“Include experience in de-escalation situations,” says expert recruiter Ernestine Council. “These skills are a key strength for security guards.”
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Lead Security Officer, ACE Security Contractors, Chicago, IL | November 2017 to present
- Coordinate and manage security officers assigned to 24 clients, both remotely and on-site
- Trained 15 new officers on company protocols, reporting duties, and security best practices
- Recommend subordinate officers for promotion or disciplinary action as appropriate
- Assess client sites, vehicles, and facilities to gauge their security needs
- Carry out additional patrol, escort, and other security duties
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Campus Police Security Officer, Singing River Health System, Gulfport, MS | January 2022 to present
- Patrol three hospital buildings and premises to deter theft, trespassing, and vandalism
- Respond to visitor inquiries and provide directions
- Monitor visitors to ensure adherence to facility policies
- Help restrain psychiatric patients and uncooperative guests
- Respond to emergency codes as needed
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Noting related academic information on your resume proves your qualifications and depth of knowledge. It also reflects your commitment to professional development, signaling your dedication to staying current with industry standards. For degrees and coursework, start with your highest level of education and list the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.
If you have pertinent certifications, create a separate section to highlight them. Include credentials such as a state security guard license, CPR/AED certification, firearms certification (if applicable), or certifications in specialized security areas like loss prevention or crowd control. Format this section similarly, providing the certificate name, issuing organization, and date received.
“Add certifications relevant to your security guard training,” says Council. “Showing you’ve done the work to learn about CPR, first aid, firearms, or crisis intervention can help you secure an interview.”
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Biloxi, MS | 2021
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- CPR and First Aid, American Safety & Health Institute, 2021
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
A key skills section is a critical component of a well-crafted security guard resume. You provide potential employers with a clear understanding of your capacity to perform security guard duties. Provide both technical and interpersonal skills to highlight your multi-faceted ability. The list of examples below will show you some to use on your security guard resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Active listening | Armed security |
| Attention to detail | Conflict resolution |
| Dependability | Emergency management |
| Integrity | Interpersonal skills |
| Judgment | Level-headed |
| Objectivity | Patrolling |
| Reporting | Safety management |
| Security monitoring | Security operations and procedures |
| Security techniques | Site security |
| Surveillance | Written and verbal communication |
How To Pick the Best Security Guard Resume Template
A template serves as the foundation for your resume, presenting your qualifications and experience in a visually appealing and structured manner. The best resume template for a security guard is simple, orderly, and effectively shows your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills.
Look for one with a professional appearance, clear headings, and sufficient white space to ensure readability. Consider selecting a template that aligns with the industry’s standards and maintains a formal tone. Keep it easy to navigate and free of distracting design elements. Employers sift through dozens of resumes during the hiring process and usually spend less than a minute reading each one.
Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for security guard resumes?-
Writing your resume, such as in the professional experience section, can be challenging. It's easy to run out of words to articulate your work experience effectively. We've compiled a list of common action verbs tailored for the security guard role. Action verbs provide a sense of accomplishment, capturing the attention of hiring managers and demonstrating your ability to handle various security-related tasks and responsibilities. Consider using some of these words below on your security guard resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Communicate |
| Conduct | Consult |
| Detect | Document |
| Escort | Guard |
| Implement | Initiate |
| Institute | Investigate |
| Manage | Monitor |
| Observe | Patrol |
| Prevent | Report |
| Resolve | Secure |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Employment for security guards is projected to grow by 3% between 2021 and 2031, bringing 38,000 new jobs into the workforce over the decade. Competition will be tight for these new openings, so applicants must create standout resumes to get their desired jobs. The best way to do this is to customize your resume.
We recommend tailoring your resume if you have a specific security guard job opening. To do this:
1. Study the job description and identify the key skills, qualifications, and requirements the employer mentions.
2. Modify your resume to highlight relevant experiences and accomplishments that align with the job opening.
3. Use keywords from the job description to emphasize your security-related achievements and ensure your resume meets the company's specific needs.
What is the best security guard resume format?-
The most suitable resume format for security guards is generally the chronological format. You can showcase your work experience in reverse chronological order, highlighting your career progression and demonstrating your continuity in the field. It works well for security guards with a consistent work history and relevant experience.
However, there are instances where a combination format is appropriate for security guards who want to emphasize their skills and qualifications alongside their work experience. This format highlights your key skills, certifications, and training at the beginning of your resume, followed by a detailed work history section. Choose the format that makes the most sense for you and your career goals.
What’s the ideal length for a security guard resume?-
A one-page resume is ideal for most security guard positions, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. For experienced professionals, a two-page resume may be appropriate, but only if it includes valuable, job-relevant content. Focus on showcasing your key achievements, certifications, and skills that align with the job description.
Aim to include work experience from the last 10 to 15 years. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they add significant value. Keeping your resume concise and relevant will leave a strong impression on hiring managers.
In your job search, a well-crafted cover letter is a great way to increase your chances of securing an interview. To create a compelling cover letter, you must customize the document for the organization you're applying to. Our comprehensive cover letter guide shows you how to write your own. Explore our security officer and law enforcement guides if you're looking for examples of cover letters in related fields.
Craft your perfect resume in minutes
Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!
