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Dan (that's me) has almost 30 years of experience working as a professional security guard and bouncer and MP.

I've worked at a bar as their bouncer; I've stood guard over ammunition in the pouring rain; I've ushered large crowds of rowdy soldiers out of a football stadium; I've dealt with little old ladies who turn in to screaming balls of hate; I've chased down a few fleet footed, light-fingered petty thieves on occasion; and I have stood around and been bored out of my frickin' mind for days on end.

I've worked my way up from lowly bouncer to Director of Security and Security Manager of sizable teams.

I've kind of done quite a lot of things, some of them easy, not all of them pleasant.

Guy's career isn't quite as long -- only a decade or so depending on how you measure -- but for some reason he attracts the whacky and downright weird like a lightning rod on the tallest steeple in a thunderstorm.

Personally I think he revels in the intensity of it all. Guy assures me that the reason he is in the thick of it most of his working day is because he interacts with a lot more of the general public on a daily basis than I do -- he works security for a number of large outdoor events -- but I think he just has a nose for figuring out when someone is doing something wrong and he just follows his hooter right to it.

Our collective careers combined has given us deep insight in to handling the general public, peaceably resolving situations that could have escalated in to real trouble, but most of all ensuring that everyone stays safe and goes home at the end of the day to their loved ones.

We take questions from people working in the security industry and turn them in to real articles that everyone gets to read and learn from. We learn as much from the questions being asked of us as hopefully you learn from us answering those questions.

All of our answers are based on our experience from our real world careers.

If you have a specific question that isn't answered here, drop us an email and we'll see if we can answer it for you.

Ask The Guards

Can I have a real career as a security guard?

I get this question a lot.

Sometimes from concerned parents. Other times from a spouse who’s worried their loved one is wasting time or talent.

We live in a time, culturally, where Americans think you have to go to college to get a great job. But there are some tremendous job opportunities that don’t require years of education or a mountain of debt. The security industry is not only creating a lot of those jobs, it’s a place where an entrepreneurial minded young guy or girl can flourish.

Hand cuff training

Kentucky doesn't directly required security officers to be licensed so not being able to find any place local that offers hand cuff training is almost certainly the reason you haven't located a training course yet.

Almost all of the courses in my State have a handcuff operation and application certification course. Most companies require you to take the course simply because of the reason that if you are going to carry it, you should know how to use it.

Hate Long-Winded Incident Reports

You’ve finally come to the end of your eight, ten or twelve hour day, and all that stands between you and the sweet freedom of time off is a silly end-of-day incident report.

You log into the company system, try to fill in all the boxes, and just as you’re about to hit SEND, the entire system shuts down and you have to do it all over again.

On a good day you only have to enter your report twice, and that’s only if you’re really lucky.

My Social Media Profile Cost Me The Job

I started in security quite a few years ago and back then the hiring process was simple. The last job I applied for a few years back was still abundantly straightforward.

You made contact with the company to ask about openings, then you either went to a location to pick up an application, or you filled out a form online. After that you waited for a phone call for an interview and found out if you got the job in a week or so.

Using LinkedIn To Find A Security Guard Job

There's an old adage that says "It's not what you know, it's who you know". In a time when good job openings seem scarce and you feel trapped in a low wage position, you need to cast a wide net to find the best employment opportunities. Resume sites, like Monster or Career Builders are a place to start, but often the posts are out of date or the positions get filled before you get a chance to apply. I've found that LinkedIn is a much better place to look for security positions.

Should I Tell My Boss About My Job Interview

Unless you were lucky enough to get your dream job out of college, it's likely that you will change employers many times over the course of your career. Moving from job to job is natural. It happens when you reach a pay ceiling in your current position, or when you have co-workers that you just can't stand, or any number of situations that make another job seem more attractive. Whatever the reason, there will come a time when you're looking for a new job while you're still at your current one.

Dealing With Difficult People

Every job has its difficulties. Teachers deal with students who don't want to learn. Doctors listen to patients complain about preventable illnesses. Construction workers face the elements and a nearly constant uncertainty about their next project. As a security guard the greatest drawback is almost always dealing with the public. You are the face of authority and a lightning rod for trouble. That nice lady who brings you a doughnut once a week...she may turn into a screaming ball of rage when you tell her she can't block the wheelchair accessible parking spaces.

Aren't You A Little Short For A Security Guard

Being 5 foot tall doesn't mean that you couldn't excel at your job as a security guard. There are so many things that go into the job, the vast majority of which are not physical, that just about anyone can do it, if they go into it with the right attitude.

Asking For A Raise

There comes a time, usually about an hour into your first graveyard shift, that you think to yourself , "They don't pay me enough for this." For me it was about 3 A.M. and my second day on the job.

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