Security guards patrol and monitor industrial, commercial and other property to protect against theft and vandalism, to maintain order and enforce regulations. They also control access to establishments and some public events. Security guards are employed by either private security agencies or by an organization itself. Regardless, they work in a variety of locations, including retail stores, art galleries and museums, commercial and industrial companies, hospitals and institutions, country clubs and government buildings.
The types of duties that you will be expected to perform will vary according to the sites you are working on. You may be employed as an airport security guard, an armoured car driver or guard, a bodyguard, gate attendant or a crossing guard.
It is your job to observe and report everything that happens on your shift. This may entail enforcing regulations and maintaining order in an establishment or at an event. You could control access to the event, issue passes and direct visitors. It is very important that you provide accurate information about incidents or suspects so that charges can be laid by the authorities. You are often required to write detailed reports on your activities, recording your observations.
Your duties as a security guard could involve working days in a public establishment, such as a mall or art gallery, guarding against theft, shoplifting, vandalism or other disturbances. On the other hand, you may work nights, patrolling an industrial site, guarding offices, or equipment. At an airport, you might perform security checks or passengers and luggage. Security guards also work on armoured trucks, driving and guarding money and valuables.
Security is a 24 hour a day field and your shifts could be fixed or rotating, depending on your site and your employer. You are generally paid an hourly wage for work as a security guard. Wages begin just above minimum wage and increase with experience.
The varied hours and different locations at which a security guard works sometimes make it difficult to plan a social life. One week you could be patrolling a shopping mall during the day, and the next week you could be at a factory, guarding machinery at night.
Although a lot of security work is not physically demanding, you may be required to spend long hours on your feet. You could be required to patrol an area at a fast pace or to run to report unusual situations
Much of security work is routine and becomes monotonous over time. You can spend long hours standing or sitting in an area with very little to do. Despite this, you have to stay alert. Something unexpected could happen at any time and you are called upon to respond to a situation, or give an accurate description of an incident or a suspect.
A large part of your job involves dealing with people. If you are working in a public place, such as small or an airport, you are called upon to help people in a variety of ways, such as giving directions, answering questions or perhaps getting aid for someone who is ill. This often involves enforcing regulations and maintaining order in sometimes difficult situations. In this job, you are asked to deal with everything from theft to intoxicated patrons.
Much of the time you are working with little or no supervision. You are expected to handle situations in a professional manner, and make your own decisions.
Although much of the work is routine and may at times be difficult, the job an also be rewarding and satisfying. You often get a chance to meet and help people.
The work hours and locations may be varied and you will gain experience working in different situations.
Most security companies offer on-the-job training. You will start as a rookie or trainee, and from here you can work your way up to more responsible positions and progress to a supervisory position.
Sometimes the experience gained as a security guard can be used as a stepping stone to a career in police work, the military or to a job in a correctional institution.
Modern security companies are looking for employees with good people skills. You must be able to get along with people and communicate well. Security guards do not have the same enforcement powers as police officers. You must rely on your communication skills rather than your authority in order to control a difficult situation.
Many times, the first person that someone sees when they enter a building is the security guard. You may be the first impression that a person gets of a company. It is therefore important to present yourself confidently and professionally. You must also be neat and well-groomed.
To be successful as a security guard, you have to be self-motivated and be able to work on your own, with little or now supervision.
You may be called upon to guard valuable objects or expensive equipment. Honesty and reliability are therefore important qualities for a security guard.