10 Qualities Your Security Guard Should Possess
If you’re thinking of hiring a security guard, then you might want to make sure he or she possesses the following vital traits:
Physical Fitness
A security guard will often have to be active throughout their working day. Whether that is to patrol an area, or to move faster than those who may be trying to commit crime at your place of business, physical fitness is a must.
Quick Thinking
A job in security will throw multiple curveballs, often several times a day. A great security guard must be able to think fast and respond to numerous situations without prior planning.
Attitude
Being calm yet assertive is key in resolving situations involving conflict. And during the calmer moments, a polite attitude will certainly not go amiss for your customers and staff.
Observation
A security guard should be able to spot things other people might miss. It is a keen eye for detail that can be the difference between a crime taking place and a crime being prevented.
Presentation
Your security guard will receive more respect and command more authority if he or she is suitably dressed and keeps his or herself neat and tidy.
Reliability
This applies to all aspects of the security guard’s working day – they will need to be punctual, as well as honest and dependable.
Common Sense
Good judgement is a fundamental skill that ties in very well with the ability to think fast – what good is a fast thinker who executes all the wrong resolutions to issues?
Communication
A great security guard will have strong verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to communicate well in writing.
Knowledge
Understanding the job role, the responsibilities and the expectations of being a security guard is a key trait. This comes with experience, but also comes with study and determination.
Passion
The best security guards are the security guards who actually enjoy the work they do – they will put in the most dedicated hours of any other security guard.
You can’t always test a potential security guard for all of these qualities – some of them will only come to light when the security guard is on duty and in specific situations. But when considering a new security guard for a role within your company, all 10 of the above points should be kept in mind and looked out for, as they will make the best security guard your company could ask for.