Security Officer: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire security personnel?

Hiring a security officer or guard can help bring new levels of safety and security to your business and help staff feel safe.

Contributions of a great security officer:

• Prevent crime incidents by deterring criminals in your area 
• Provide your employees and clients with a safer, more secure environment
• Handle security threats while ensuring that no one is put in danger
• Effectively monitor an entire building or area and take action when suspicious activity is observed with the help of security cameras

What are the different types of security personnel

Security personnel can include various types and ranks within an organization. Some examples are:

Security officer: A security officer is responsible for deterring criminal activity and enforcing rules, protecting property, monitoring surveillance cameras and alarms, and patrolling defined areas or buildings.

Security guard: A security guard protects establishments from theft and property damage, and maintains control over who enters and exits the building or event.

Security supervisor: A security supervisor manages a team of security officers, overseeing their day-to-day activities and enforcing the organization’s security protocols.

Where to find security personnel

To find the right security personnel for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Ask for referrals: Ask your current employees, industry connections, friends and family if they know a security officer or guard who may be a good fit.
• Offer on-the-job training: To reach a broader range of candidates, consider offering on-the-job training so that people without licensing can apply.
• Indeed Resume: Type “security” into the search bar, choose a location, select your must-have skills, search through the resumes of drivers and contact the ones that meet your needs.

Post your job online: Try posting your security job on Indeed to find and attract qualified candidates.

Skills to look for in a great security officer

A great security officer or guard candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

Hard skills:

• Knowledge of security cameras and systems
• Technical expertise in surveillance equipment
• Solid understanding of safety policies and procedures

Soft skills:

• Excellent observational skills
• Communicates well with employers and patrons
• Creative problem-solving abilities

Writing a security job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified security candidates. A security job description includes a compelling summary of the role, detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your security officer job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on security officer jobs, according to Indeed data:

• “Security officer”
• “Security guard”
• “Armoured guard”
• “Police officer”

Interviewing security candidates

Strong candidates for security positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Safety and security protocols 
• Security and surveillance equipment
• Handling confrontational situations

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of security interview questions for examples (with sample answers).