A resume is a one- to two-page summary of your education, skills, and work experience that gives potential employers an idea of why you would be a good fit for the job to which you are applying. To land a job in most fields, you’ll need a solid resume. Security guard jobs are no exception. Let’s look at some of the elements that go into creating a great resume that can help you get the security guard job you want.
What Makes a Great Security Guard Resume?
For any resume, you want to tailor your information to reflect your skills and experience that are relevant to your desired job. For example, if you have previous experience in the military or law enforcement, you will want to highlight those details in your resume. If you have taken any specialized courses or received certifications that are directly applicable to the role of a security guard, this is also something that you will want to specify.
As previously mentioned, a resume should only be one to two pages long (preferably one). That means you may not be enough room to list the entirety of your work history, skills, and education. The limited space makes it crucial to prioritize the skills and experience you possess that are most relevant to the job. Practically speaking, you may not need to include your part-time high school job in a fast-food restaurant if you are running out of room on your resume.
When it comes to formatting, your resume should also be clean, visually appealing, and easy to read. Don’t choose a script or funky-looking font that isn’t legible, and don’t make the font size smaller than 10 or 11 points at the very minimum. Use clear headers, bullet points, and concise language. Luckily, there are thousands of free resume templates online that you can use to assist you in creating the perfect resume.
What to Include on a Security Guard Resume
Now that you know what goes into a great resume, you may be wondering exactly what you need to include? Here is a list of the most critical details to share.
Personal Information
This section is self-explanatory. Your personal information includes your name, mailing address, email, phone number, and a LinkedIn URL if you have one. Providing these details makes it easy for the potential employer to contact you.
Summary
Think of a summary as your written elevator pitch. Why do you want a security guard job? What makes you the best candidate? How has your unique combination of education, skills, and experiences prepared you for this role? The summary should use complete sentences and professional language to show why you are an ideal candidate for the job.
Skills
The skills section of your resume should be a bulleted list of the most relevant skills for the job you are applying for. List at least five, but no more than 15. This section should include soft skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and physical fitness, as well as hard skills like self-defense and weapons training.
Education
Education includes any degrees or certificates you have earned. Depending on how long you’ve been out of school or whether you have post-secondary degrees that are relevant to the security guard role, you may choose to include education after experience on your resume.
Experience
The experience section should comprise the bulk of your resume. Detailing your work history and any volunteer or community service roles you’ve had provides a practical context for the skills and education you previously listed. By showing employers how you’ve applied yourself in real-world, professional situations, you help them know you can be trusted with the responsibilities of the job they're looking to fill.
Check out these Top Security Companies as you consider where to apply.
Security Guard Resume Examples
Looking for a boost to your own resume? Check out our courses for state pre-licensing and continuing education for security guard professionals! Once you land that first interview be sure to review out Security Guard Interview Questions and Answers to help you prepare.
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