How To Write a Security Guard Resume
A strong resume is the key to unlocking promising career opportunities as a security guard. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, crafting a compelling resume is an essential element of your job search. Your resume is the first impression you make on hiring managers. It’s a vital tool you can use to showcase your skills, qualifications, and dedication to maintaining safety and security. Employers seek candidates who demonstrate a deep understanding of security protocols, risk management, and exceptional vigilance. This guide will provide real security guard resume examples, invaluable tips, and expert advice tailored to the occupation. You’ll learn how to write a standout resume and get one step closer to landing your desired job.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
When crafting your resume profile, it’s important to be concise and impactful, using 2-3 sentences to grab the attention of hiring managers. Use this space to introduce yourself and make a lasting impression. Mention your years of experience and provide a compelling statistic or achievement that shows your impact. Your goal is to hook readers and entice them to dive deeper into your resume, so start strong. 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 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 compelling resume. As you construct your bullet points, use action verbs to bring a dynamic element to your descriptions. Choose strong verbs that convey your proactive approach.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Lead Security Officer, ACE Security Contractors, Chicago, IL | November 2017 to Present
- Coordinate and manage security officers assigned to clients, both remotely and on-site
- Train 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 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
Including relevant 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.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
- CPR and First Aid, American Safety & Health Institute, 2021
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
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. Make an effort to feature those skills the company is looking for. Provide both technical and interpersonal skills to highlight your multi-faceted ability. The list of examples below will give you a good idea of those you could use on your security guard resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Active Listening Skills | Armed Security |
| Attention to Detail | Conflict Resolution |
| Dependability | Emergency Management |
| Integrity | Interpersonal Skills |
| Judgment | Level-Headed |
| Objectivity | Patrolling |
| Reporting Skills | Safety Management |
| Security Monitoring | Security Operations and Procedures |
| Security Techniques | Site Security |
| Surveillance Skills | 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 showcases 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. Remember to keep the template 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.
Security Guard Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Michaela Freeman
(228) 000-1234 | [email protected] | Biloxi, MS 39530 | LinkedIn
Profile
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.
Key Skills
- Building Safety & Security
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Relations & Service
- Policy Enforcement
- Team Collaboration
Professional Experience
Campus Police Security Officer, Singing River Health System, Gulfport, MS | January 2022 to Present
- Patrol 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
Highlight:
- Awarded certificate for exemplary teamwork and service mindset
Language
Fluency in Spanish
Education
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Biloxi, MS | 2021
Graduate, Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola, FL | 2019
Credential
Mississippi Security Guard Permit
Jarvis Culverton
(605) 123-4567 | [email protected] | Rapid City, SD 57709 | LinkedIn
Profile
Alert, level-headed Security Officer with 5+ years of experience at a large retail facility. Skilled communicator who fosters positive relationships with diverse colleagues and customers.
Key Skills
- Conflict Management & Resolution
- Crisis Intervention
- First Aid
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Reporting & Documentation
- Surveillance Monitoring
- Team Collaboration
Professional Experience
Overnight Security Officer, Villa Ranchero Shopping Center, Box Elder, SD | February 2018 to Present
- Patrol property on foot to deter intruders and address any improper conduct or suspicious behavior
- Regularly inspect access points and locks
- Monitor surveillance equipment, and write detailed incident reports
- Communicate with building owner and law enforcement as needed
Highlight:
- Praised for using effective de-escalation methods to quickly diffuse conflict situations
Education
Candidate: Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, Western Dakota Tech | expected 2023
Graduate, Douglas High School, Box Elder, SD | 2017
Certification
CPR and First Aid, American Safety & Health Institute
Alex Dudley
(321) 345-6789 | [email protected] | Chicago, IL 60106 | LinkedIn
Profile
Security Guard with 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.
Key Skills
- Armed & Unarmed Security
- Client Needs Assessment
- Customer Relations & Service
- Firearm Use & Safety
- First Aid
- Personnel Management
- Security Assessment
Professional Experience
Lead Security Officer, ACE Security Contractors, Chicago, IL | November 2017 to Present
- Coordinate and manage security officers assigned to clients, both remotely and on-site
- Train 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
Security Guard, Phoenix Security Solutions, Portland, OR | January 2011 to October 2017
- Patrolled clients’ sites for suspicious people or activities
- Addressed and de-escalated conflict situations
- Monitored security camera systems
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, University of Portland, OR | 2011
Credentials
Illinois Concealed Carry License
Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card
20-Hour Armed & Unarmed Illinois State Security Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for Security Guard resumes?+
We understand the challenges that arise when writing your resume. It can be especially tricky when describing past work in the professional experience section. It's common to feel like you're running out of words to articulate your work experience effectively. To assist you in overcoming this obstacle, we've compiled a list of common action verbs tailored for the security guard role. Action verbs provide a sense of action and 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 percent between 2021 and 2031, bringing 38,000 new jobs into the workforce over the decade. The competition will be tight for these new openings, so applicants must create standout resumes to get the jobs they want. The best way to do this is to customize your resume for your desired position.
If you have a specific security guard job opening in mind, we recommend tailoring your resume for that position. 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. Emphasize your security-related achievements using keywords from the job description to 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. This format lets you 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.
There are instances, however, where a combination format is an appropriate option for security guards who want to emphasize their skills and qualifications alongside their work experience. This format puts the spotlight on 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.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
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. Explore our comprehensive cover letter guide to learn how to write your own. If you’re looking for cover letter examples in related fields, explore our security officer and law enforcement guides.
