To build an eye-catching security guard cover letter that stands out in today’s competitive job market, highlight your unique experience de-escalating conflicts and handling high-pressure situations with calmness and professionalism. Convey your dedication to ensuring the safety of customers during emergencies. Our guide provides expert tips and examples to help you translate your experience into a powerful security guard cover letter.
Security Guard Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Security Guard Cover Letter
Your first step in writing your security guard cover letter is to research the company you’re targeting. What are they looking for in a candidate? How do their needs align with your background? For example, suppose the job description mentions they value candidates with strong communication and conflict resolution skills. In that case, your priority should be citing examples of you de-escalating conflicts peacefully, even during high-stress situations.
In addition to emphasizing the most relevant aspects of your experience, convey your sincerity and the pride you take in protecting others as a security guard. Infusing your content with a more personal approach will give your cover letter a unique quality that helps you stand out from other candidates.
Last, take the time to carefully proofread your cover letter before submitting it for any application. Careless grammatical and spelling errors not only distract the hiring manager from your qualifications but also send a message that you lack attention to detail, which is important for any security guard role.
What To Include in a Security Guard Cover Letter
1. Contact information and salutation
Greeting the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name] is important. This small personal touch shows that you’ve taken the time to learn more about the company before submitting your security guard cover letter and that you’re genuinely interested in joining their team. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
2. Introductory paragraph
Your introduction is one of the most critical aspects of the security guard cover letter. Grabbing the reader’s attention as quickly as possible should be a primary objective. Lead with a powerful achievement that entices the reader to engage with your content. For example, you might emphasize that you mitigated a major security threat or successfully ensured the safety of patrons in an environment with high foot traffic.
Example
As you can see from my attached resume, I have seven years of experience leading security operations and responding to high-pressure situations. In my previous role as the lead security guard, I managed a 15-person team and led training initiatives to improve response times by 15% at one of the nation’s largest malls. I can achieve similar results for your company as the new security guard.
3. Background paragraph
Provide more insights into your security guard background in the body paragraphs of your cover letter. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations and coordinate with law enforcement to resolve dangerous situations. Leadership is a pivotal quality of any security professional, so highlight this aspect of your career using tangible examples. Be sure to emphasize achievements that align with the company’s needs.
Example
I understand Alkaline Security Services is seeking a candidate with exceptional leadership and conflict resolution skills. During my time with Aegis Security Corp., I led the development and implementation of a racial sensitivity and cultural awareness training program to address ongoing issues related to racial profiling. My leadership capabilities would be a strong asset to your team based on my previous achievements:
- Oversaw a team of 15 security guards, provided training on security protocols and reporting procedures, conducted performance evaluations, and provided coaching and mentorship
- Coordinated daily patrols of premises for a mall with over 700 daily patrons and interfaced with law enforcement to resolve security incidents, provide statements, and determine appropriate actions
- Identified peaceful conflict resolutions using de-escalation techniques to prevent violence and ensure the safety of customers
4. Key skills and qualifications paragraph
For a security guard cover letter, highlight skill sets and qualifications essential for diffusing dangerous situations with poise and professionalism. Below, you’ll find a list of potential attributes that hiring managers will be looking for during the job search:
- Access control
- Behavioral analysis
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- CPR certified
- Customer service
- De-escalation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Emergency response
- Law enforcement
- Patrols
- Physical security
- Risk assessment
- Safety protocols
- Security
- Security management
- Security operations
- Security training
- Surveillance
- Team leadership
5. Conclusion
Think about your closing paragraph as a call to action that encourages the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview. Emphasize how your background and experience can help the organization improve security services and safety protocols. Thank the hiring manager for their time in the final sentence, as this shows your professionalism, which is essential for any security guard position.
Example
I’d like to set up an interview to discuss how my leadership experience can enhance your organization’s delivery of security services. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Anthony Gentile
When Should You Include a Security Guard Cover Letter?
If a cover letter is listed as a job requirement, including one is mandatory. That said, there are some advantages to providing a cover letter, even if the application lists it as optional. Security guard positions often have similar job responsibilities, making it difficult to stand out from other applicants during the job search. Submitting a cover letter that provides unique insights into your experience and personal values can help make a lasting impression on the reader and increase your odds of landing the interview.
Security Guard Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your communication and conflict resolution skills
The ability to de-escalate conflicts peacefully is a trademark of any successful security guard. Hiring managers want to see you can protect others effectively and prevent unnecessary violence. As you build your cover letter, show you’re a strong communicator who can interface effectively with diverse populations and diffuse a variety of situations.
2. Feature your leadership capabilities as a security professional
To make a lasting impression on potential employers, demonstrate your proven track record of responding to high-pressure emergencies calmly and professionally. This type of role requires exceptional leadership attributes, and not everyone can handle these types of incidents with a cool demeanor. It’s also important to highlight your experience collaborating with law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services teams, as this may be required depending on the type of incident you’re responding to.
3. Quantify your security guard experience
Incorporating numbers and data into your security guard cover letter is a great way to bolster the impact of your achievements. One approach is to feature specific quality metrics, such as resolution rates, response times, and the number of incidents reported each week. You could also draw attention to the area’s foot traffic, as this showcases your ability to provide quality security services in highly populated environments.
Security Guard Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Skyler Thompson
Security Guard | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Seattle, WA 98122 | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Cecilia Alvarez
Senior Hiring Manager
Jenkins Security Corp.
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Alvarez,
During my time as a security guard at the Great American Mall, I patrolled premises with over 700 customers per day, which included identifying suspicious behavior and coordinating with the security team to report incidents and irregularities. My expertise in security protocols and conflict resolution techniques will allow me to excel in the security guard role with your company.
Newark Liberty International Airport’s need for a security guard with experience in high foot traffic environments strongly aligns with my professional background. I can help your team continue to improve security protocols and ensure the safety of passengers based on my previous achievements:
- Conducted patrols to detect security irregularities, breaches, and unusual behaviors to prevent theft and security breaches for retail stores in a mall with over 700 patrons
- Coordinated with fire departments and law enforcement agencies in response to emergency situations and security threats
- Responded to security alarms, detained individuals performing unlawful acts, and coordinated with police officers to report statements on security incidents during arrests
I look forward to telling you more about how my experience in high-volume settings can enhance security and safety at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Skyler Thompson
Security Guard Cover Letter FAQs
Are cover letters becoming outdated?-
Although the common belief is that cover letters have become obsolete, many hiring managers still rely on them to identify qualified candidates for job openings. One benefit of including a cover letter is that it allows you to express your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the opportunity. The cover letter also shows potential employers you’re willing to go above and beyond what’s expected of you, a great way to stand out from other applicants.
How long should my security guard cover letter be?-
While you may be tempted to provide a comprehensive overview of your experience, the cover letter should be brief and limited to three or four paragraphs. Including excess information runs the risk of overwhelming the reader and drawing attention away from your most relevant qualifications and achievements.
Should I use artificial intelligence to write my cover letter?-
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be highly useful but you need to be careful when using them to write a cover letter. Security guard job duties tend to sound generic, and that won’t change if you allow ChatGPT to tell your whole story. If you opt to use AI writing support to give yourself a starting point, be sure to infuse your content with unique elements that capture who you are as a security professional.
Craft a new cover letter in minutes
Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.
