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Four Tips for Keeping Your Security Guard Job

English: Private security guard in Guatemala. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At one point or another, you may feel threatened by the thought of losing your security guard job. Although the job can feel monotonous at times, it is vital that you push through those feelings, so that you can ultimately keep your job. If you are on the edge of losing your job and needs some tips for keeping your security guard job, then these tips are for you.

#1. Seek Further Training

Perhaps something negative happened and your boss does not feel as though you are as sharp at your job as you once were. One major tip to keeping your security job is to further your training. There are multiple classes you can take to make you even better at your job. While you are in training, take lots of notes and keep a close eye on what they are saying. Feel free to job shadow another security guard because maybe they have some tips to help you improve in your current job.

#2. Always Do What is Right

No matter where you work, you might run into some dishonest people. The best part about doing what is right in your job is that you will always come in on top. Simple things like showing up to work on time and being honest about the amount of hours you work are just a few ways you can do what is right. Completing paperwork and helping out your fellow security guards will also help you keep your security guard job. Hopefully your boss and coworkers will see that you always aim to do the right thing and that will help leave a good mark on your career.

#3. Have a Good Attitude

In order to keep any job, you need to have a good attitude. A lot of people come to work and continue to whine and put others down. Having a good attitude will allow you to keep your security job because you will be seen as an asset to the team. You will also bring good morale to the company, which in return will help your reputation and work ethic.

#4. Stick it Out

There may be times when the weather is rough at your security guard job. In the end, one of the best pieces of advice is to stick it out. Every job has its ups and downs. You might get a new boss, or have to deal with several coworkers, but the bottom line is that you stick it out and see your job for what it’s worth. You are there to protect individuals and property, so no matter what may come your way, pushing through the storm is one of the best tips for keeping your security guard job.

These are great tips for keeping your security guard job. When times get tough and you think your job might be on the line, just step it up with these tips.

What Kinds of Background Checks Can You Expect When Applying for a Security Guard Job?

A security guard at a 7-Eleven store in Los Angeles doing crowd control during a promotion for The Simpsons Movie which saw the convenience store change its appearance into a Kwik-E-Mart (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you apply for a security guard job in any state you can expect to have at least some background checks done on you before you are approved for the position. They type of background checks that are run will depend on the type of security guard job that you have applied for.

Some of the normal background checks that are run when you apply for a job as a security guard include finger print checks, background checks, and even a check on your criminal record. At the very least you will be expected to not have a serious police record but some jobs may require that you have no record at all. You’ll also need some good character references and you will need to be in good physical health.

Those who run security businesses and are in charge of making sure that a person or a place is safe need to be very careful about who they hire. People’s lives could be at stake and properties worth a large amount of money are involved. Doing background checks are one of the tools that they have at their disposal to make sure that the right person for the job has been hired. The background checks help them decide how honest the applicant is and whether or not they have the right qualifications for the specific security guard job that they have applied for.

The more responsibility that is involved in a security guard job, the more background checks you can expect. For instance, being a security guard at a night club will not require the same kind of background checks as being a security guard at a bank. When background checks are required, you should take them very seriously.

The majority of security guard jobs will require a criminal record check. Because the security guard company will be liable if one of their employees commits a crime while employed by them and while they are on the job, a criminal record is likely to prevent you from getting the job. Some jobs may overlook certain misdemeanors like minor domestic problems but if you have a record that includes any felony, shoplifting, stealing, or violence it will likely prevent you from getting the job. Even though you might have cleaned up your act security guard employers cannot take the risk of putting the lives of their clients or the property of their client at stake.

Security Guards – Do They Have Any Legal Power?

Private factory guard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are a security guard or you are working on becoming a security guard, it is a good idea to learn about the kind of legal power that you hold. The legal power of a security guard will not be the same in every state but there are some guidelines that will remain the same for security guard jobs.

People in general are more familiar with their legal rights and that is good because it allows them to protect themselves. But since the general population is more familiar with their legal rights it becomes even more important for security guards to understand what rights they have and what kind of power they have at their disposal.

In your training as a security guard you will learn what you are allowed to do and what rights you have. You absolutely must pay attention to these things to prevent you from having legal action taken against you. Be aware that these legal powers might change over time so keep up to date with the laws.

Above all, you must remember that you are not a police officer – you are a security guard. The legal powers that you hold are likely to be quite different from that of a police officer. In fact, you legal powers might not be that much different than regular citizens, depending on what kind of security guard job you hold. You may have the right to make an arrest and you have the right to protect yourself. You may not have the right to use a weapon or to forcibly restrain someone. Restraining someone and detaining someone is not the same thing so be careful and be informed so that you do not break the law. If you detail someone and it turns out that they are not guilty you may have charges pressed against you if you used force beyond what is acceptable by the law.

Security guard jobs do give you some legal power and the legal powers that you hold are meant to help you do your job. Always ask yourself if you need to wield a specific power in order to protect either a person or property. If there is a simpler, less intrusive way to do so, always choose that.

Be familiar with the policies of the company you work for, too. Every company will have policies and protocols for different situations and these can help you decide what the most appropriate action to take is. They will help you choose a course of action that may or may not include making use of the legal powers that you have at your disposal.

What You Should Know About Being a Security Guard in a Prison

Finnish prison guard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the world of security guard jobs, being a prison guard is one of the most challenging types of jobs. It is not easy by any means so you should first consider what the job entails before you start putting in your applications.

One of the most important parts of the job of a prison security guard is that you are not only physically in shape but mentally in shape, too. The mental stresses of the job can be high and the people that you have to deal with are often good at breaking a person down mentally.

As a prison security guard your job is to make sure that order is maintained within the facility. Of course, your training will be an essential part of becoming prepared for the job. Before you start embarking on the path to become a security guard in a correctional facility, make sure that you have learned as much about the position as possible.

Some of the responsibilities of a correction facility security guard include making sure rules are followed by the inmates. You may have to check for illegal items, break up fights, transport inmates from one part of the facility to another, or take inmates to medical facilities or courts that are outside of the grounds. If there is a major crisis you will need to act quickly and carefully to ensure that as little damage as possible occurs to both the property and the inmates.

There will be requirements in the application process that you must meet. Of course, you must be over the age of 18 and you must be a U.S. citizen. There may be an age maximum, depending on the state in which you are applying for the job. You might need to have a driver’s license, too. Every state and every job will have some variety in their requirements so contact the correctional facility that you wish to work for and ask for specific details.

Be prepared to answer many questions, go through several interviews, and have several background checks run on you. You cannot have a criminal record if you want to work as a security guard of a corrections facility. You will likely need to pass personality tests, as well. Becoming a security guard at a prison will take some time and effort but it can be a rewarding job for the right individual. Do your research and be prepared and you could be employed as a prison security guard.

Things You Should Know if You Want to be an Armed Security Guard

As a security guard you may be required to carry a weapon, depending on the kind of job that you have. The duties and responsibilities of an armed security guard are different from an unarmed security guard and it is up to you to make sure that you are up to the task. If you are licensed to carry a weapon as a security guard, you will find that you have more options and more job openings that you will be qualified for.

Armed security guards often work for the State or the Federal government or they may work with money or highly important properties. These types of jobs often pay more but they also have higher risks, which is why they necessitate carrying a weapon.

There are several different weapons that armed security guards might carry so it is a good idea to become familiar with the weapons that are most common with the particular job that you are interested in. Try to get some practice using the weapon at the shooting range if at all possible and understand how the weapon is put together.

If you want to hold a position as an armed security guard you can expect to go through additional training and you will have to get the proper licensing. These are extra steps you must take outside of the training that you take to become an unarmed security guard.

Addition training may include training by professionals at a firearm facility that would include safety in handling the weapon and care of the weapon. You will also have to have the proper licensing from the State you will work in to use and own a firearm. Armed security guard jobs usually require an extensive criminal background check and you will not be able to work in this kind of job if you have any criminal history. You will also be required to undergo a drug test and you will have a psychological evaluation administered.

After going through all of these training situations and test you may be required to do a practical type of test. This is a test where you will be put in a mock situation and tested to see how you respond. Your responses must be very careful and you must be able to think quickly.

Armed security guards have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. They must be able to think quickly and act fast. In order to do this and to do the best job possible, they need to have the proper security guard training.

More Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find Security Guard Jobs

Nederlands: Linked In icon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yesterday you learned about getting started with LinkedIn to find security guard jobs. That was just the beginning though! The more time you put into using LinkedIn the more likely you are to find a great security guard job that you will love.

Here are some more tips to using LinkedIn for job search:

Get Recommendations

As it was briefly mentioned yesterday, recommendations are like referrals on LinkedIn. They show potential employers that you have value. But you can’t just ask anyone for recommendations. You should ask people that you have actually worked with in the past – co-workers or employers. You can suggest things that they might mention in your request.

Send them a message similar to this:

Hi Jane,

I am currently searching for a security guard job and I would appreciate it if you could leave me a recommendation. Remember when we were working at XYZ Company and I had to calm down that customer that was upset because of product delays? The communications skills that I used to calm her down are exactly the kind of thing that employers of security jobs might be interested in.

Thanks,

Bob

Follow Companies

You can connect with more than just individuals on LinkedIn. You can also follow companies. Search for companies that you are interested in working for. If you find them, you will be able to follow them and learn a lot about them. Find out how many employees are working at the company, learn about the people that work for the company, and be updated when there are job openings.

Connect with HR Managers

As you follow companies, you can often find out who the HR Managers are and find out more about them. You can connect with them and learn about what they are doing and what they are looking for in potential hires. You can ask them questions and share information with them. Be subtle (you don’t have to come right out and ask for the job) and demonstrate through your own updates and your profile that you would be an excellent candidate for a job in their company.

LinkedIn is an excellent place to learn, observe, ask questions, and connect with individuals that could help you find the job you are looking for. Security guards can benefit from LinkedIn by spending a little bit of time there each day and building up a network that can prove to be useful for many years into your future. Remember, the majority of jobs today are found because of the networks that you build up so don’t wait until you need a job – start building your network today!

LinkedIn: Your Social Network for Finding Security Guard Jobs

Are you on LinkedIn yet? If you’re not it is time you got connected. There are many places you can search for security jobs online but LinkedIn is one of the best places for making connections, networking, and finding jobs in any field and that include security guard jobs.

Your Profile

Once you have joined LinkedIn, your first priority should be creating a killer profile that will make you more appealing to employers. There are several things you can do to make the best use of your LinkedIn profile when you are searching for security guard jobs.

• Have a profile picture. Your profile picture should be professional and will give employers an idea of whether or not you are suited to their company. You don’t have to be dressed in a uniform – just smile and look approachable.
• Create a good summary that demonstrates your skills and experiences as they relate to being a security guard. You don’t have to actually have experience as a security guard but you can show that you have the right skills by looking at your past jobs. Can you show that you have good communication skills, good thinking skills, and are physically fit? These things fit in well with security guard jobs.
• Display your work experience.
• Use the tags to highlight your skills. These tags are like keywords that will help potential employers to find you.

Make Connections

Once you have your profile completely filled out you can start connecting with people. Look for people that you have worked for in the past or have worked with. Once you connect with these people you can ask them to recommend you. The recommendations that they provide are like references and employers will get to know more about you and your work ethic through these recommendations.

Groups

Join groups that will help you get jobs. There are groups that are designed specifically for job searchers and then there are groups that are designed for security guards. Some of them are focused on specific regions and other groups are focused on specific companies.

Once you have joined some groups (some of them will require approval by the moderator of the group and this is where your profile will come in – if you don’t show that you are connected to the security guard field they may not accept you into the group), start participating. Read threads, comment, ask questions, and answer them if you can. When you see someone that seems approachable send them a message.

This is just a brief summary of using LinkedIn to find security guard jobs. Watch for more info on how you can use LinkedIn professionally.

What You Should Know About Being a Mall Security Guard

Melbourne old GPO postal hall converted to a shopping mall complex. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many different types of security guard jobs and it is a good idea to explore your options before you start sending out resumes. Some people may be well suited for several different kinds of security guard jobs, while other may find that one type of job is much better suited to them.

One of the types of security guard jobs that you might want to explore is the mall security guard position. Security guard training is necessary for this job, as it is for all security guard jobs. Training will help you learn how to manage the responsibilities that are required in a shopping mall setting.

Some of the duties that you will be expected to be responsible for are preventing criminal activities, like shoplifting, and maintaining order amongst the shoppers. You may be needed to mediate disagreements or to escort people out of the mall. Security guards are present in malls during business hours and when the mall is closed. Security guards need to make sure that all doors and locks are secure.

As of 2010, Indeed.com reported that security guard jobs in malls could earn around $29,000 a year. A high school diploma or a GED is required and you should take courses like social studies, physical education and government regulations. These types of courses will increase your chances of getting the job. On top of that, you must complete a security guard training program that has been recognized.

To work in a security guard position in a mall you must be able to pass criminal record checks (among others). If you have a conviction or a record of a felony you will not be able to work in a mall as a security guard.

Before you begin a job you will need to take a pre-assignment training session that lasts about 8 hours. This will give you a better overview of what will be expected of you and whether or not you are well suited for the job. If you complete this training session successfully, you will be eligible to start on-the-job training. Some of your training will include knowledge about trespassing laws, handling crowds, and law enforcement.

Mall security guards are always in demand because of the amount of malls that are continually being built. Even in an unstable economy, people still love to shop and malls are one of their favorite places to find what they need.

What You Need to Know About Insurance for Security Guards

insurance (Photo credit: Alan Cleaver)

There are many jobs that will make getting insurance necessary and being a security guard is one of them. Insurance will prevent you from being financially responsible to individuals or to companies when you are working in a high risk job. Without the proper insurance you could be responsible for paying for things that you cannot afford and that are not under your control.

Although there are other jobs that have a higher risk than security guards, there are still risks that come with this career. Some of those risks might include encounters with aggressive people and insurance will protect you should you come across those types of people. While these incidences might not be the norm on your job, they do happen and you should be prepared if they do, otherwise you will be responsible to cover the costs out of your own pocket.

One of the most basic components you should look for in an insurance policy for security guards is liability coverage. There are two types of liability coverage. General or comprehensive liability coverage protects both companies and individuals from any accusations of negligence or actual negligence. Incidences that occur as a result of an honest mistake are covered by professional liability coverage.

Insurance for security guards should also cover vehicles if you need to use a car or other motorized transportation for patrolling the area that you are responsible for. The insurance should cover damage to vehicles and any accident that could cause an injury to the people in the vehicle.

Security guards should make sure their insurance policy covers a few other things, too. It should cover medical bills, false arrests, libel, protection from property damage, and protection against assault and battery. Some security guard jobs, like mall security, might not seem like they are very dangerous, but unexpected things can happen and it is best to be covered just in case.

To make sure that you get the insurance policy that best suits your needs as a security guard, take the time needed to do your research. Ask lots of questions to ensure that you get the answers you are looking for. You can ask the company that you work for if they have a suggested provider that their staff can rely on. If you have the right security guard insurance you can relax, knowing that you will be covered in case of accidents or other incidences that may occur.

Skills and Qualities that Employers Look for in Security Guards

Copley Place Security Guard (Photo credit: RodBegbie)

Security guards play a very important role in any company that employs them. They make sure that people, places, and things are safe. If there is an incident, they are there to relay the details to responding officers and without those details, it would be much more difficult for police officers to do their job. Security guards are found at private buildings, large corporations, malls, and many other locations to offer protection.

When employers are hiring security guards to protect their business or the people that use the space, the most important qualification that they look for is certification. It is essential that the people that they entrust their safety to have completed proper security guard training and have taken courses that are approved and certified. Of course, there are many other qualifications and skills that employers of security guards look for, too.

One of the qualities that employers expect is that candidates are in good physical condition. If there is a break in or someone’s well being is at risk you will have to be in good physical shape to subdue the suspect or protect the victim. You will also need to make sure the suspect does not escape before the police arrive. If you are not in good shape it will be very difficult to fulfill these parts of your duties.

Employers also look for security guards at are able to communicate well with other. They may have to speak to people that come to the building to purchase products or services or they may have to diffuse a difficult encounter with a suspect. If there is a emergency, employers need to be confident that their staff will not make the situation worse by losing their temper or being overly assertive.

Although it might not be obvious, employers also look for security guards that have first aid training and experience. If you are protecting people it is necessary that you know how to help someone if they are hurt. Employers expect that you will know how to do CPR and other first aid skills so that you can help someone until the ambulance gets there.

There may be a great deal of variety in the skills and qualities that employers are looking for in a security guard, depending on what kind of position they are hiring for; however, there will always be some skills that are useful and will help the security guard do a better job, no matter what kind of job is being interviewed for.