Your Guide to Hiring a Security Guard

Hiring a security guard is no small decision. Besides keeping your facility safe, your security guard will often act as the first point of contact for visitors. They’ll need strong surveillance skills. They should also excel at human interactions.

Read on to learn more about the personality traits and security guard skills that make a person ideal for the job.

Must-Have Personality Traits for Security Guards

If you’re hiring for a security guard position, look for these personality traits:

• Analytical thinking. Security guards must think on their feet. They should take the information available to them and make fast and accurate decisions.

• Observation skills. Paying attention to details and remembering them later are essential skills.

• Integrity. A security guard should be honest. People should trust them right away.

• Good listener. Safety and compliance procedures can be complex to follow. Can the new hire remember precise instructions and follow them?

• Teamwork. Your new guard will work with the facility manager and other employees. Make sure they’re a team-player with good communication skills.

Top Security Guard Skills

Which skills does a security guard need to be successful? Physical fitness is one of the first things that comes to mind. Being in shape is important for dealing with many different situations. It also helps security guards walk or stand all day.

Strong de-escalation skills are another quality that can set candidates apart. Active listening and staying calm are important for handling some situations.

You should also look for a person with a strong sense of situational awareness. Good security guards know when something is off.

What Kind of Experience Should You Look For?

A candidate with a security or law enforcement background will have an advantage. If possible, look for someone who has worked as a guard at a facility similar to yours.

Because turnover can be high in the security industry, holding several positions in the past isn’t always a red flag. In fact, having experience with a variety of situations and environments is a plus. It can help security guards become familiar with a wide range of threat scenarios.

Understanding Security Guard Certifications

Security guards need an active license in most states. Additional certifications can be a plus, including:

• CPR or AED certification.

• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Certification.

• Armed guard certification.

Do You Need an Armed Guard?

Most businesses are fine with an unarmed guard. If your facility is in a high-risk area or houses valuable items, an armed guard might be a better option for you.

Look into state certification requirements for both options to better understand the security guard skills required.

Why You Should Offer Training and Certification

In 2023, 65% of security firms reported a higher volume of projects compared to 2022. The industry also has a high turnover. These two factors create a job market where many firms are hiring guards.

Finding a suitable candidate can be difficult when qualified security guards have many options to choose from. For this reason, you should consider offering training and certification.

The benefits include:

• Hiring from a larger pool of candidates.

• Helping a motivated person become a security guard.

• Improving job performance.

• Supporting professional development with more training.

• Meeting your changing security needs.

Fast Security Guard Certification with Defencify

Get your new hires trained and certified with Defencify. Our industry-leading training solution uses a 24/7 digital platform, so training is available anytime, anywhere. Plus, we offer state-specific training options.

Your new hires will have access to material created by top industry experts. They can complete the courses on their own time and at their own pace.

Ready to train your new hires? Get started and experience a Defencify course for free.