Security Guard Resume Examples & Templates for 2024
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Security guards play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and security of premises, assets, and personnel. They’re responsible for monitoring surveillance equipment, patrolling areas, and responding to incidents.
A security guard's resume needs to show that you’re familiar with safety compliance standards and that you’re skilled in confronting a variety of undesirable incidents.
We’ve analyzed over 11 million resumes created using our builder, and we’ve discovered that:
- Security Guards usually list 10 skills on their resumes.
- The most common skills for Security Guards include CCTV monitoring, patrolling, security operations experience, reliability, and report preparation.
- Resumes for Security Guards are, on average, 1.7 pages long.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
Security Guard Resume Example
Michael Gordon
Security Guard
(123) 456-7890
michaelgordon@email.com
linkedin.com/in/michael.gordon
Summary
Diligent and Certified Security Guard with 3 years of experience. Looking to help Guardian Secure Security Services ensure the safety of its clients by relying on a commendable track record in deterring security threats, reporting irregularities, and assisting law enforcement agencies. Decreased overall security incidents by 40% at Safe Zone Protection Agency.
Experience
Security Guard
Safe Zone Protection Agency, Oklahoma City, OK
February 2022–July 2024
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Providing 24/7 security and surveillance services in a 30-story commercial building.
- Patrolling the premises regularly to ensure the safety of employees and visitors.
- Reporting any suspicious activity and individuals to local authorities.
- Assisting in evacuating buildings during fire drills and other emergencies.
Key Achievement:
- Led a comprehensive revision of the company's security protocols, leading to a 40% decrease in security incidents.
Security Guard
Shield Guard Security Solutions, Oklahoma City, OK
February 2021–January 2022
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Monitored surveillance systems and coordinated responses to any security breaches.
- Managed access control of employees and visitors.
- Conducted regular equipment checks and routine inspections.
Key Achievement:
- Revised and implemented new security protocols, reducing employee theft incidents by 25%.
Education
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, OK
May 2018–July 2020
Relevant Extracurricular Activities
- Member of the National Honor Society (2019–2020)
Academic Achievements
- Graduated with Honors in 2020.
- Recipient of the Student Excellence Award (2020).
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Surveillance systems monitoring
- Access control management
- Equipment inspection
- Incident report writing
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership
- Handling pressure
Certifications
- Certified in First Aid, American Red Cross, 2016
- Certified Security Officer, ASIS International, 2017
Languages
- English—Native
- Spanish—Intermediate
Interests
- Participating in community watch programs.
- Training in martial arts to maintain physical fitness.
Entry-Level / Junior Security Guard Resume Example
An entry-level or junior security guard is typically new to the field and is gaining experience in maintaining safety and security. They’re eager to learn and contribute to the team while developing their skills. Here's an entry-level security guard resume sample that I’ve created.
James L. Walker
Security Guard
(555) 123-4567
james.l.walker@email.com
linkedin.com/in/james-l-walker
Objective
Dedicated and observant security guard seeking employment at Secure Solutions to apply strong attention to detail and commitment to safety in maintaining a secure environment. Commended for quickly identifying and addressing potential security threats, contributing to a safer environment.
Experience
Security Guard Intern
SafeGuard Security, Los Angeles, CA
March 2023–May 2023
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Assisted senior security guards in patrolling premises and monitoring surveillance equipment to ensure the safety of the property.
- Responded promptly to alarms and incidents, providing assistance and reporting to authorities when necessary.
- Conducted regular inspections of security systems and equipment to ensure proper functioning and compliance with safety standards.
- Maintained detailed logs of daily activities, including observations, incidents, and any security-related occurrences.
- Provided excellent customer service to visitors and staff, answering questions and directing them to appropriate areas.
- Followed all company policies and procedures to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone on the premises.
Key Achievement:
- Commended for quickly identifying and addressing potential security threats, contributing to a safer environment.
Education
High School Diploma
Los Angeles High School, Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: June 2022
Skills
- Surveillance Monitoring
- Incident Response
- Patrolling
- Report Writing
- Customer Service
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-Solving
- Safety Compliance
Certifications
- Basic Security Officer Training, California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, 2023
Languages
- English—Native
- Spanish—Intermediate
Middle Security Guard Resume Example
A middle-level security guard has a few years of experience in the field and is proficient in various security tasks. They have developed a good understanding of security operations and can handle more complex situations. Here's a resume sample for a middle-level security guard.
Lucas J. Martinez
Security Guard
(555) 234-5678
lucas.j.martinez@email.com
linkedin.com/in/lucas-j-martinez
Summary
Experienced and vigilant security guard with over 5 years of experience in maintaining safety and security at various facilities. Proficient in surveillance monitoring, incident response, and patrolling. At Apex Security Services, successfully de-escalating a potentially dangerous situation without incident. Eager to support Gold Security in ensuring the safety and security of their clients' premises.
Experience
Security Guard
Apex Security Services, New York, NY
August 2018–July 2024
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Monitored surveillance cameras and alarm systems, ensuring the timely detection and response to any suspicious activities or security breaches.
- Patrolled assigned areas to deter theft, vandalism, and other illegal activities, ensuring the safety of the property and personnel.
- Responded promptly to security incidents, providing assistance and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency services as needed.
- Conducted thorough investigations of security breaches and incidents, compiling detailed reports for management and law enforcement.
- Assisted in training new security personnel, and sharing best practices for effective surveillance, incident response, and patrolling.
- Maintained a visible presence to deter criminal activities and provided a sense of security to employees and visitors.
Key Achievement:
- Successfully de-escalated a potentially dangerous situation, ensuring the safety of all individuals involved without any incidents.
Security Guard
Metro Security Solutions, New York, NY
July 2015–July 2018
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Performed regular patrols of the facility, monitoring for suspicious activities and ensuring the security of the premises.
- Operated and monitored surveillance equipment, identifying and responding to potential security threats in a timely manner.
- Provided detailed reports of daily activities, incidents, and security breaches, ensuring accurate documentation and communication.
- Collaborated with local law enforcement and emergency services during incidents, ensuring coordinated and effective responses.
Key Achievement:
- Recognized for exceptional attention to detail and reliability, contributing to a significant reduction in security incidents.
Education
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, NY
September 2013–June 2015
Skills
- Surveillance Monitoring
- Incident Response
- Patrolling
- Report Writing
- Customer Service
- Conflict Resolution
- Safety Compliance
- Team Collaboration
Certifications
- Certified Protection Officer (CPO), International Foundation for Protection Officers, 2018
Languages
- English—Native
- French—Intermediate
Experienced / Senior Security Guard Resume Example
A senior security guard has extensive experience in the field and is highly skilled in managing security operations, leading teams, and handling complex security issues. They’re capable of ensuring high efficiency and safety in various settings. Below, you can see a resume sample for a senior security guard.
Sophia R. Bennett
Senior Security Guard
(555) 345-6789
sophia.r.bennett@email.com
linkedin.com/in/sophia-r-bennett
Summary
Accomplished and dedicated senior security guard with 13 years of experience in security management and operations. Adept at leading security teams, conducting thorough investigations, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. At Global Security Solutions, reduced security incidents by 30% through strategic security planning and effective team leadership. Skilled in surveillance, incident response, and risk assessment. Committed to enhancing security measures and maintaining a safe environment, and ready to leverage extensive expertise to drive operational success at Vista Security Solutions.
Experience
Senior Security Guard
Global Security Solutions, Chicago, IL
April 2015–July 2024
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Managed security operations for large facilities, ensuring the safety and security of property, personnel, and visitors.
- Led a team of security guards, providing training, mentorship, and support to ensure high performance and adherence to safety standards.
- Conducted risk assessments and developed security plans to mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Monitored surveillance equipment and alarm systems, ensuring timely detection and response to security breaches.
- Responded to security incidents, conducted thorough investigations, and compiled detailed reports for management and law enforcement.
- Collaborated with other departments and local law enforcement to ensure coordinated and effective security measures.
Key Achievement:
- Reduced security incidents by 30% through strategic security planning and effective team leadership.
Lead Security Guard
Prime Protection Services, Chicago, IL
June 2011–March 2015
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Supervised daily security operations, ensuring all security personnel adhered to company policies and procedures.
- Monitored and maintained security systems, including surveillance cameras, access control systems, and alarm systems.
- Conducted regular patrols of the facility, identifying and addressing potential security risks and ensuring the safety of the premises.
- Provided detailed reports of security activities, incidents, and investigations, ensuring accurate documentation and communication.
- Assisted in the recruitment, training, and evaluation of security personnel, ensuring a skilled and reliable security team.
- Implemented security initiatives and safety protocols to enhance the overall security of the facility.
Key Achievement:
- Implemented a new security training program that improved team performance and reduced incident response times by 20%.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
September 2007–June 2011
Skills
- Security Management
- Surveillance Monitoring
- Incident Response
- Risk Assessment
- Team Leadership
- Report Writing
- Safety Compliance
- Training and Development
Certifications
- Certified Security Supervisor (CSS), International Foundation for Protection Officers, 2019
Languages
- English—Native
- Italian—Intermediate
Resume Templates for Security Guards
After analyzing 11 million resumes using the Zety Resume Builder, these are security guards' top 3 resume template choices.
Cascade
I recommend the Cascade resume template for security guards because it offers a clean, dual-column layout that distinctly separates personal details from professional experience. This structure ensures that hiring managers can quickly access essential information. The minimalistic design of this resume template effectively highlights your skills in surveillance, patrolling, and emergency response, presenting them in a clear and professional format.
Concept
In my opinion, the Concept resume template is an excellent choice for security guards who seek a modern yet functional design. The single-column layout provides a clear and organized presentation, with a sidebar for contact details and key competencies. This polished format helps recruiters focus on your experience and qualifications in security management. By opting for this creative resume template, you can present your career in a comprehensive and appealing manner.
Diamond
From my perspective, the Diamond resume template offers a sophisticated and clear presentation for security guards. Its two-column design effectively separates personal information and a professional summary from detailed sections on experience, education, and certifications. The structured layout, enhanced by visually appealing bullet points, ensures easy navigation. This template exemplifies a modern resume style, making it ideal for you if you want to showcase security credentials in an organized and professional manner, allowing recruiters to quickly grasp your qualifications.
How to Write a Security Guard Resume:
1. Pick the Best Format for a Security Guard Resume
You need a proven template that will showcase your security skills and experience in a proper way.
So, go for a reverse-chronological resume format. It puts your most recent job at the top. And it’s a classic—all hiring managers are familiar with its layout. Next, use the best font for a resume and create big headings.
Remember to leave enough white space between resume sections. It makes things easier to read. Finally, send your resume as a PDF file. This way, you can be sure that your resume formatting will not get messed up.
Pro Tip: Grammar errors and typos can ruin even the best security resume. So—always proofread (or use Grammarly).
2. Craft a Perfect Security Guard Job Description for a Resume
Whether you want to work as a security guard in a local store or monitor an important national event—You need to prove you’re competent for the position. Do it with a job-winning security guard resume experience section that reflects all your best accomplishments in the security industry.
- List your most recent job title at the top.
- Include the company's name along with the dates of employment.
- Provide a brief description of your role.
- Add six bullet points.
- Demonstrate accomplishments using the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method.
And what if you’re writing a security guard resume with no experience? Focus on showcasing your transferable skills and strong work ethic.
And, if you need some inspiration, here are some examples of responsibilities for a security guard resume:
Security Guard Keywords for a Resume
- Monitor and patrol assigned areas to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of premises.
- Control access to buildings and property, allowing entry only to authorized individuals.
- Respond to alarms and investigate disturbances, ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
- Conduct security checks and inspections to identify potential security risks or breaches.
- Write detailed reports of daily activities, observations, and incidents for record-keeping and review.
- Assist in emergency situations, providing first aid or coordinating with emergency services as needed.
- Operate surveillance equipment to monitor activities and ensure the safety of the premises.
- Enforce company policies and regulations to maintain a safe and secure environment.
- Provide excellent customer service by assisting visitors, answering inquiries, and giving directions.
- Collaborate with law enforcement and emergency personnel when necessary.
Also, use powerful action verbs to effectively convey your responsibilities and achievements in your security guard role. Here are some action verbs for security guard resumes:
Security Guard Resume Action Verbs
- Monitored
- Patrolled
- Controlled
- Responded
- Conducted
- Wrote
- Assisted
- Operated
- Enforced
- Collaborated
Pro Tip: If you choose a security officer job as your first job, remember that in most states, security guards need to be at least 18. Criminal background checks are also standard.
3. Focus on Your Security Resume Education Section
Most security jobs don’t require formal education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “security guards generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may not have any education requirements.” But—
That is mostly true for entry-level positions. However, to become an armed or military security guard, you need more extensive training.
So, whether you’re targeting an entry-level or senior security guard position, be sure to put your education on your resume. To see how it should look, check out the security guard resume examples at the beginning of this guide.
Want your resume education section to stand out? See our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples].
4. List Certifications and Licenses on Your Resume for a Security Guard
If you’re a certified security guard, you have to make your certifications prominent on your security guard resume. Whether or not you’re a license holder can actually determine the recruiter’s decision. Wondering where to put your credits on a resume?
There are a few options:
- Next to your name at the top of your security officer resume.
- At the beginning of your professional security guard resume summary.
- In a special certifications section right under the summary.
See the examples of the most common certifications for security guards:
- Security Guard Card
- Class D Security License
- Class G Security License
- First Aid
- CPR
- Crowd Control
- Access Control
- Crime Scene Conduct
- Ethics Training
Remember that some states require security guards to renew their licenses and certifications. To check the current status of your license and renewal requirements, register with Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to put certifications on a resume, see our dedicated guide: How to List Certifications on a Resume: Guide and Examples.
5. Put Relevant Skills on Your Resume for a Security Guard
Let’s face the facts. Resumes for security guards tend to repeat the same skills. Patrolling, safety compliance, attention to detail—
The skills above?
These are necessary. But everyone lists them. To land the security guard position you’re after—you need to show more than the necessary security guard skills.
Security jobs require a combination of communication skills with technical abilities and oftentimes, physical fitness.
To create a perfect resume skills section, start by choosing some relevant resume skills from our list below. Do it by tailoring your resume to the job ad. Here’s how:
1. Create a master list of skills that you think you have.
2. Read the job ad again.
3. Look at your list of skills and pick only those that relate to the job offer. Include them in the skills section of your resume.
Here’s a list of soft and hard skills just for reference:
Security Guard Resume Skills
- Judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Surveillance Cameras Monitoring
- Surveillance Equipment
- Criminal Justice Knowledge
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Coordination
- Patrolling
- Detail Oriented
- Active Learning
- First Aid and CPR
- Interpersonal Skills
- Perceptiveness
- Firearms
- Self Motivated
- Decision Making
- Conflict Resolution
- Honesty
- Persuasion
- Safety Compliance
- Adaptability
- Customer Service
- Writing Reports
- Physically Fit
- Psychology
- Negotiation
- Listening
- Dependability
- Problem-Solving
- Compassion
- Driver's Licence
Read more: Top Traits and Qualities Employers Seek in 2024
6. Create a Security Guard Resume Summary or Resume Objective
Hiring managers in the security business are always busy. How do you catch their eye off the bat? Write a great resume profile for your security guard job application.
It’s a short intro paragraph you put at the top of your resume. And usually—the first thing the recruiter spots. It can be either a professional resume summary or an objective:
- A career summary focuses on your experience and achievements. Write it if you have professional experience.
- A career objective shows your skills and explains why you want this job. It’s perfect when you’re writing a resume with little to no experience.
Pro Tip: If you’re writing a resume for an entry-level position, keep it one page long. Hiring managers look for relevant info. There’s no need to elaborate on unrelated jobs you had in the past.
7. Add Other Sections for an Effective Security Resume
Contact information, summary, work history, skills, and education—all checked. These sections are more than necessary. But you can still kick your resume up a notch with some extra resume sections.
They will show the recruiter more than just your experience. You can add:
- Courses
- Awards
- Additional training
- Additional activities
- Conferences
- Hobbies and interests
- Languages
Plus, if you don’t have much experience in the security sector, you can add your volunteer gigs to a resume.
Not sure if adding hobbies to your security resume is a good idea? Just pick those that are professional. Here’s a little help: +20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)
8. Attach a Cover Letter for a Security Guard
How to secure that security guard job? Complement your resume with a cover letter for a security guard. It’s a common myth that nobody reads cover letters these days.
The truth: According to recent HR statistics, around 40% of hiring managers still expect them.
So it’s worth to give it a shot. But what should your security guard cover letter say?
For starters, address the recruiter by their name (forget the To Whom It May Concern phrase). This adds a more personal tone to your formal application. Then, explain what you like about their company. They will learn what your motivation behind the job search is.
Next, describe one or two accomplishments that resonate with the job offer. Show how exactly you can help them. Finally, end your cover letter for a security job with an offer and propose a meeting or call.
Pro Tip: After you send your application documents, wait a bit, then follow up. Sending a thank-you note a few days after may be a real game-changer.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Considering other public safety jobs? See:
- Correctional Officer Resume
- Security Officer Resume
- Police Officer Resume
- Criminal Justice Resume
- Firefighter Resume
- EMT/Paramedic Resume
- Legal/Law Resume
- Peace Corps Resume
- Dispatcher Resume
- Best Resume Examples
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
