Being a security guard can be an interesting and sometimes dangerous job, so it is important to have the right mindset before taking this job. The following are 11 tips on being a good security guard.
Table of Contents
- 1. Physical fitness
- 2. Remember to look Sharp
- 3. Familiar with the policies and the procedures of the company you work for
- 4. Learn and practice self-defense
- 5. Always carry your defensive gear
- 6. Stay alert of your environment
- 7. Report all suspicious activity
- 8. Know what to do in case of an Emergency
- 9. Remember to relax
- 10. Ask for Help when needed
- 11. Find a mentor
1. Physical fitness
Being a security guard is hard work. Although you won’t be running long distances, you will need to be able to respond quickly and efficiently if the situation calls for it.
That means you should first be physically fit. You also may find yourself having to evacuate people or chase someone down in the event of an emergency, so maintaining your physical fitness will benefit you in multiple ways.
Make it a goal to go to the gym on a daily basis, even if it is just for 15 minutes. Lift weights to build your muscles and do some cardio work to improve your heart health. If you are unsure about what exercises you should do, consult a professional trainer to help you develop an exercise routine that shapes your body type.
Another thing you can do for your physical health is to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, as both of those habits contradict security guard values like good character and reliability. You also want to protect yourself from secondhand smoke or spend time in smoke-filled bars and clubs.
Also, eating a balanced diet, which will help keep your energy levels up. Stressful jobs, especially those in which you need to remain vigilant for long periods of time without breaks, can lead you to make poor decisions if without healthy food.
2. Remember to look Sharp
Having a professional appearance when working as a security guard can help to make sure that you are taken seriously and will make it easier for the people around you to respect you.
3. Familiar with the policies and the procedures of the company you work for
When you first get your job as a security guard, you will probably have to go through some training program with the company. The best thing that you can do is pay attention and be diligent in completing any forms or paperwork that they request of you.
This information will be crucial to your work as a security guard if there are ever lawsuits against your employer because of something that happened at work.
A security guard’s job is to act as a presence, not an enforcer. Your only goal should be to serve as a deterrent to crime or violence, and you will do so most effectively if familiar with the policies and procedures of the company you work for.
4. Learn and practice self-defense
Being a security guard is dangerous. Not only are you protecting private property, but also fighting against criminals who do not care about getting caught or hurting innocent people.
As a result, it’s important to know how to protect yourself. Therefore, knowing some basic self-defense techniques can help you break free of an assailant’s grip or even avoid some more serious injuries.
5. Always carry your defensive gear
Keeping watch over the security equipment you carry is also important. Make sure none of it gets lost or stolen. When a security guard leaves their defensive equipment behind, it becomes easy for someone with malicious intent to take advantage of the situation and access areas they are not supposed to.
6. Stay alert of your environment
Staying alert while on the job is one of the best things you can do as a security guard. When you are on duty it is important for you to be aware of your environment, this includes both inside and outside the area being protected. You never know who might try to access an area unless you take the time to watch everything going on around you.
Being aware of your environment and what is going on around you will make it easier to stop someone from trying to take advantage of you or your company.
When you become familiar with your surroundings and defensive gear, staying vigilant becomes much easier. Keeping watch over your environment allows you to spot any irregularities quickly, this makes it possible to stop a security breach from happening before it actually takes place.
7. Report all suspicious activity
Reporting suspicious activity is one of the most important things that a security guard can do for their company and areas being protected. It only takes one person noticing something out of place before a potential security breach can be stopped in its tracks.
When you report all suspicious activity, it allows your company to investigate the situation and identify any potential risks before they can become an issue.
If you are ever suspicious about something or someone, it is important that you report it as soon as possible. Being proactive when it comes to security will not only keep your company safe, but also help everyone involved know what to watch for in the future. When you are proactive about reporting suspicious activity it makes it easier to stop potential security breaches before they happen.
8. Know what to do in case of an Emergency
No matter how effective everyone is at their job, eventually, there will be a security breach that goes too far and an emergency situation will arise. In case of a medical emergency, it is important to know what you should do in order to keep someone safe while waiting for help.
Being able to identify the danger as quickly as possible allows you to take the right steps towards helping everyone involved stay safe.
If you are unable to handle any medical emergencies that might arise, it is important that you know where the first aid kit is and how to use it properly. This will allow you to identify a situation as quickly as possible and get the right help to everyone involved without wasting time trying to figure out what has gone wrong.
9. Remember to relax
Being at ease when it comes to your surroundings is important because it allows you to watch for potential problems before they become an issue. If you are stressed out or feeling overworked, your ability to spot suspicious activity will be decreased and could lead to security problems.
Make sure to take time out during your shift so that you can stay productive when it comes down to protecting your area.
Being able to relax throughout your shift is important because it allows you the opportunity to re-energize and stay productive throughout your shift. If you have a hard time being able to relax during your shift, try talking with your bosses about splitting up responsibilities so that you don’t feel as overwhelmed by your job.
10. Ask for Help when needed
If you are unable to handle yourself in a dangerous situation, don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who might be able to lend a hand. This will allow you to get the help that you need and continue doing your job effectively.
11. Find a mentor
A mentor can give you some practice against real people, which will give you a real look into what working in the security field is really like, including personal protection companies. Furthermore, if your mentor knows someone who works for a particular company they may be able to pull some strings and get you a job there.
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