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Protect Your Business, Property and Assets by Hiring Security Guards

It’s undeniable that crime has evolved beyond traditional break-ins. And this is all through the advancement of technology. It is evident that thieves take advantages of the growing number of technologies and advanced equipment that can be maliciously manipulated to commit felonies.

Hence, what with all the opportunities available to criminals, it is even more important to find the best ways to safeguarding our premises. One of these ways includes having security guards patrolling in your premises. On top of that, it is imperative to find good security guards that fit your company’s profile. This blog post is going to help you along the way!

What are The Benefits of Hiring Security Guards?

1. Security Guards Act as a physical visual deterrent to theft.

There’s a reason why a great number of companies hire security guards on top of high-tech security options: a physical presence onsite tends to ward off criminals. If the security guard is attentive and reasonably fit, criminals will be less likely to target your business for fear of being caught and arrested.

2. If A Crime Occurs, You Will Have the Assurance that Someone Responsible is On-Site

While it is true that common trespassers like teenager hooligans or homeless folks are very likely to be deterred by a security guard, those with more nefarious intentions tend to be bolder. If spotted, they might be tempted to run after committing an offence.

Having a security guard on-site means greater chances of resolution as he or she has the appropriate training to approach trespassers and finding ways to resolve the issue.

3. Security Guards Offer Security to Your Clients as Well.

Provided the proper training, a security guard can offer visual security and assistance for existing and potential clients alike. Whether as uniformed representatives or direct employees, the security guards can be yet another helpful face to boost the customer experience.

So, How to Go About Hiring Security Guards?

Below are 5 simple steps you can follow to find the best security guards for your company:

Step 1: Know your company profile

You can’t start the hiring process without first knowing the security needs of your company. Generally, this process will involve working alongside a security adviser. The security adviser will take into account the surface area and the layout of the building before eventually offering you advice on what exactly you’ll have to look for.

Step 2: Decide on the number of security guard you need

The next step involves determining the number of security personnel you really need. To decide how many security guards you really need, the security adviser will consider the doors and entries that will need to have security personnel manning those choke points. The larger the company, the larger the force you will need. This is simply because you will have to ensure that each entry or exit point within your premises are covered by guards that will go around patrolling as mobile sentries.

Step 3: The interview process can now start

The interviews can be conducted in two phases: phone interviews and face-to-face interviews. Let’s look at phone interviews first. It’s normal to get several applications for one job. Once you’ve sorted through these resumes and chosen the best candidates for your business, take some time to call them. A phone interview should not last long. You can generally complete one within 10 minutes. During the interview, you can cover the basics:

  1. find out why they left their previous job or why they want to leave
  2. ask for their salary expectations
  3. question them about the notice period.

This will help you reduce the list of potential candidates and ensure that you call only the best candidates for face-to-face interviews (which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour).

Step 4: Remember to ask for references

At the end of the interview, ask the candidate for references. Asking for character references is an inherent part of employment and good candidates will generally come prepared and will have a list of references ready to give you. Take the time to do these background checks, it will give you a better idea of the candidate’s work ethic and attitude.

Step 5: Do Not Trust Everything You Saw in Their Portfolio

Once the interview is over and you have shortlisted the candidates you believe will fit your business needs, there is one less step we believe is worth your time: Checking their credentials.

Nowadays, it is easy to fake certificates. So, even if this step is time-consuming, take the time to do it as it will tell you if you really can to hire that person or if you need to consider other candidates.

To Sum Up

This post covers the several critical areas which need to be addressed when looking for potential candidates. In addition to that, below is a list of other areas that need be taken into account before making any commitments:

  • Cost
  • Full licensure according to state and local laws
  • Full insurance coverage
  • The equipment they are allowed to use
  • Management policies
  • Responsiveness
  • Feedback from previous clients

A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Security Guard in Australia

Property owners, businesses and governments contract or employ security guards to maintain a high visibility presence on-site to deter and discourage any illegal activity, such as damage to property, theft and other criminal or unsafe activities. To protect property, equipment, personnel and money, security guards are expected to patrol the area to act a visible deterrent to unauthorised and criminal behaviour.

However, their jobs do not consist of only patrolling. Which is why prospective security guards have to ensure they complete the training requirements of the state they wish to work in. In addition to getting training from a registered and accredited training organization, you will also need to get relevant licences.

Before diving into the steps required to become a security guard, this blog will cover the job description of a security guard, what employers look for and skills and attributes that will make you a successful security guard. At the end of the post, we’ll also include additional training you can undertake to have more employment opportunities.

If you think you have what it takes to be a Security Guard, keep reading!

Security Officer: Job Description

While it’s true that the primary responsibility of a security guard is to protect the employer’s property and assets from theft and vandalism, their tasks and duties are not restricted to just that. Below is a list of things that will be expected from you, as a security guard:

  1. Have the ability to work in a variety of settings, including universities, banks, public buildings, private -properties, and retail stores.
  2. Monitor security systems and surveillance equipment, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and computer alarm systems.
  3. Act in a timely manner to prevent hazards or damage to property and/or personnel.
  4. Check gates, doors, and windows for signs of unauthorised entry when patrolling.
  5. Respond to alarms personally or communicate with mobile units by radio to attend alarms.
  6. Prepare reports for:
    • times of inspections
    • presence of authorised persons incidents
    • events, irregularities and problems that may have occurred on sites,
  7. Liaise with emergency services, including police and fire department, if any incident occurred.
  8. Perform first aid if required.
  9. Apprehend and detain trespassers until the arrival of the police.
  10. Issue security passes.
  11. Make security arrangements for authorised visitors.
  12. Report any activity that may seem fraudulent or suspicious, even if these activities have been performed by employees or supervisors.
  13. Provide reception services.

What Are Employers Looking for?

  1. Assertive with good communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
  2. First aid certification
  3. Ability to work under pressure and retain one’s calm under all circumstances
  4. Holder of a security licence
  5. Honest, responsible and trustworthy
  6. Observant and alert, with good common sense
  7. Be able to think on their feet
  8. Ability to make fast, accurate decisions
  9. Be physically fit (a medical examination may be required)
  10. Good hearing and eyesight (may be corrected)

Steps to Becoming a Security Guard

Step 1: Complete basic training

Since security guards are expected to know safety awareness, crowd control, self-defence techniques, staff professionalism, and legal rights and obligations, we would recommend you complete the following courses if you want to become a security officer:

  1. Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
    • VCE
    • QCE
    • HSC
  2. Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20212)
  3. Basic training in first aid
    • You can also choose to complete the additional training, such as cardiopulmonary, basic emergency life support and management of asthma.

Remember to check if the training organisation is a Registered Training Organization (RTO) that is accredited by the state’s police.

Step 2: Get a security guard license

Once you’ve completed the relevant training with an accredited security training course from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you are ready to apply for a security licence.

Since, licencing requirements vary from one state to another, check with the regulator in the state you plan to work and see if you’ll require any additional documentation. If you’ve respected all the guidelines, you should receive your security license and be on patrol in no time!

Step 3: Start applying for work

Since there are lots of employment opportunities for security officers, you can start working right away! Update your resume and consider applying in the following sectors/industries:

  • Schools
  • Government buildings
  • Transport companies
  • Retail stores
  • Office buildings

Step 4: Upskill and specialise for better employment opportunities

As with any other jobs, the more qualifications and licenses you possess, the more employable you will be. There are two ways to go about this: you can sign up for additional courses, or choose to specialise in one area only.

Areas in which you can take additional courses include:

  1. criminal justice
  2. conflict resolution
  3. event management

Or you can specialise in the following:

  1. air security officer
  2. protectives service officer
  3. bodyguard
  4. crowd controller

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