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Become a Security Guard

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Qualities you need to become a Security Guard

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As a security guard, you’re dealing with a lot of different situations. From shoplifting to ensuring the safety at events, security guards are dealing with it all the time. They need to handle problems in a professional, effective and efficient way. The constant possibility of threats basically means that security guards constantly need to keep a sharp eye on everything that’s happening. Because of the number of different situations that security guards have to deal with, they need to have a particular skill set.

We listed the most important qualities of a security guard down for you:

 

Being prepared at all times

As a security guard, you need to be able to handle any situation that comes your way in an effective, professional and efficient way. You need to be ready for threats at all times!

 

Being honest

Your employer has to be able to trust you no matter what. This is for absolute value for him/her to make the right decisions to protect their business and (of course) the society in general. You need to set a good representative of yourself in order to earn trust.

 

Responding quick

As a security guard, you need to be alert to everything at all times. You also need to be able to assess everything that is going on around you. The importance of your alertness is for absolute value when it comes to your ability to react to dangerous situations.

 

Analysing situations

Security guards must be able to analyse situations in order to make correct judgement calls when it comes to deciding whether something is a real threat, and if so, the extent of the threat.

 

They need to be team players

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Even though the fact that security guards are not often seen in groups, in a lot of cases, they are working in teams while doing their jobs. That’s why security guards need to be able to work in teams; they need to know when to follow the orders of others.

 

Communication skills

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Given the fact that you need to be able to handle with situations quickly, security guards need to be able to explain what they are doing. This ensures that you’re able to direct the situation in the safest way possible.

 

If you would like more information about our security guards and more information about our services, please contact us on:contact us

Tel: 0117 982 9979

Fax: 0117 909409

Email: info@securityguardsbristol.com

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10 Reasons Why You Should Become a Security Guard

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Have you ever thought about becoming a security guard? Worried about what the job will entail. Don’t worry, here are 10 reasons why you should decide to start your security career.

 

Extra life experience

The fact that you have to deal with a lot of different situations as a security guard makes you better equipped for life’s challenges in general. Helping others and most importantly keeping the people around you safe are skills that people around you definitely will appreciate!

 

The feeling of reward after helping someone

One of the most important tasks of a security guard is to ensure the safety and to protect people. People feel safe and more comfortable when they are spotting several security guards on events or in big buildings.

 

There are a lot of open vacancies

Security guards are very wanted, and they probably always will be; which means that there are almost always open vacancies in the security sector. Also, a lot of different companies and buildings require security guards, so when you become a security guard, you are making yourself employable by a whole range of companies across several industries.

 

A wide range of scheduling possibilities

Given that security is a 24/7 service, the variety of scheduling possibilities is major. If you’re a night person you can ask your boss to only work at night for example. This makes working as a security guard very flexible in comparison with other jobs.

 

Enhances your observation skills

Watching people can be a fun and interesting thing to do, but if you’re a security guard, you’re getting paid to do so! Knowing what kind of situation to look out for when you’re watching people enhances your observation skills and keeps you sharp at all times. – Which is a quality that will also definitely help you in your daily life!

 

A mix of autonomy and teamwork

Security guards often do a lot of their work autonomously, which a lot of people find very appealing. But even when you’re working independently, you’re still benefitting from being a part of a strong big team!

 

There’s variety within the field

As a security guard, you have a lot of variety in your work. Depending on the kind of company you’re working for, you will be handling serval situations and different kind of people. Sometimes you will be on patrol, some of your days will be filled with lots of daytime activities, while some night times shifts offer quiet, peaceful hours.

 

It is a great part-time job

As earlier mentioned in this blog post, there is a wide range of scheduling possibilities. So, in case you’re looking for a part-time job, being a security guard may be just the right job for you!

 

It improves your people skills

As a security guard, you have to deal with different kind of people. Dealing with different kind of people keeps your job interesting and offering help to those who need it definitely feels rewarding.

 

Crisis training

Security guards are trained to always be prepared for an emergency situation. They know how to prevent fire and how to provide first aid to people. Crisis training is for absolute value for several situations in your daily life!

 

If you would like more information about our security guards and more information about our services, please contact us on:

Tel: 0117 982 9979

Fax: 0117 909409

Email: info@securityguardsbristol.com

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How to Become a Bodyguard

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You see bodyguards around celebrities, politicians and other people who are in a place of power or are ahead of something. For example, the Pope, Prime Minister, President of the United States. While having a bodyguard they can protect whoever they are in charge of any threat to their life or any physical violence that could cause them harm. But how exactly do you get a job to become a bodyguard? In this blog post, here is how you can become one. 

What is a Bodyguard?

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Bodyguards, also known as Close Protection Officers, are employed to protect their clients from physical attacks. This covers from kidnappings to any other form of harassment or dangerous scenarios.

Who has bodyguards?

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Although often thought of as being employed solely by celebrities, they’re now in demand for clients in a wide range of different sectors. From finance professionals, lawyers, government ministers, journalists and even eyewitnesses. All of these sectors could be considered to have enough threat or intended harm done to them for them to hire a bodyguard.

Typical Duties:

For bodyguards, safety is the first thing that is on their minds. Their typical duties are:

  • Checking areas for potential threats before arrival
  • Securing destinations, and clearing exits
  • Shadowing clients during their day-to-day activities
  • Providing 24-hour surveillance and protection
  • Planning out the safest routes before traveling
  • Researching potential threats to minimise the risk

How do I become a Bodyguard?

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To become a bodyguard you would need to have passed the approved training and be granted a close protection license by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). This will allow you to become a fully license bodyguard in the UK. Background checks will also be conducted by potential employers before you’re able to start work. 

If you would like more information about bodyguards, please contact us on:

Tel: 0117 982 9979

Fax: 0117 909409

Email: info@securityguardsbristol.com

Security-Guard

Myths about being a Security Guard

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Every job out there, there are myths about it. This is no different from being a security guard. It could be said there would be more than myths within the security industry than others. Being a security guard is a big job so obviously there would be myths out there. Let us show you 5 myths that can be said about being a security guard and how they can be classed as a misconception of the security industry.

1. Security Jobs are Boring

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One misconception that most people have is that working as a Security Guard is boring. This is not at all the case. Security guards are an intricate part of office buildings, shopping malls, clubs, bars, and social events.

By not believing in the job or in yourself while doing the job, it can be called as a vulnerability. Security guards who see their jobs as mundane become easy targets for criminals and troublemakers. The trick to being a good security is understanding that being a security guard is a very important job.

2. Standing guard offers no mental stimulation

Having a career as a security personnel, people initiation think it will be spent standing around and wasting time. If you think this of the security industry, here is why you should think again. Employers are looking for security personnel who are alert and ready for action. Therefore, they are looking for proactive individuals who put their security training to good use. They would be doing this by conducting routine patrols, and searches to look for any risks within that environment.

3. It’s simply too dangerousmyths

Aside from people thinking it is an easy job, other people say the security industry is too risky. What you might not know is that proper security guard training prepares you for any dangerous situations. They also prepare people for how they would help and handle the situation if it were to come up.

4. Security pays too little

While there are security jobs that would pay you low wages. However, a legitimate SIA license will provide you with a qualification. This, therefore, means employers will pay more to hire you for.

5. There’s no room for growth within the industry

This is perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions of the security industry. Just like any other field, there are plenty of opportunities for security personnel to go into different fields. Some of the avenues regular security guards can move into if they receive the proper SIA training include:

  • Bodyguard
  • Security response team management
  • Police
  • CCTV specialist
  • Mall security management
  • Residential security
  • …and lots more.

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How to Become a Security Guard?

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To work as a professional Security Guard in the UK you need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Without this licence, it is illegal to work anywhere as a security officer, apart from those wishing to work in-house or employed by a client directly. It’s simple to obtain your licence. You can do this by completing a training course with an SIA recognised training provider. Once you have passed the course, you can apply for your license and pay a fee amount of £220. You will have to renew this license every 3 years.

Providing that you meet all the licensing requirements you’ll then receive your SIA badge within a few or more weeks.

 

Roles of a Security Guard

Security or manned guarding is described by the SIA as activity including any of the following;

  • Guarding premises against unauthorised access or occupation, against outbreaks of disorder or against damage
  • Guarding property against destruction or damage, against being stolen or against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained.

 

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As you can see above a security guard is there to protect property and the people within the building from criminal damage and/or injury. They can also perform a loose form of surveillance. An example of performing surveillance would be monitoring shoppers in a busy shopping centre, or discreetly following a suspected shoplifter. To make sure you are doing this to your best of your ability, you will need to be able to remain calm and controlled in potentially stressful situations. In times of emergency, such as building fires etc., people will turn to you for guidance on the best way to get out of the dangerous environment. Although it is classified as one of the first rungs on the career ladder of the security industry, it can often carry a great deal of responsibility.

 

Getting Your SIA Security Licence

As always the first thing to do above all else is checking your eligibility to obtain an SIA licence. From time to time again people fail to check if they are eligible for a licence. For example, when they are trying to become a Door Supervisor. After passing the training course and paying the licence fee, they’re declines for a failed criminal check. Not only do you lose the licence fee, you have also lost the money you have paid for the training you cannot use. If you are planning to apply for any form of training within this industry, you should check your eligibility using the SIA Criminal Record Indicator. There are other points to consider and these are:

  • You must be over 18 years of age
  • You must be eligible to work in the UK
  • Long working hours (a typical security guard shift is 12 hours)
  • Can be a very lonely job
  • Pay can vary between minimum wage and £15 per hour (although most Security Guarding jobs pay at the lower end of this scale)
  • Need a reasonable level of fitness

 

What do I do now?

If you are interested in having a career as a Security Guard or would like to have one as a weekend job, the next thing you need to do is to look for a training provider. For this, you need to choose well. You may look for the cheapest training provider you find, however, this might not be a good fit for you. Remember this job could put you in dangerous situations so you need to make sure you are confident in your training.

Remember to use Google effectively – Google is your friend. Research any training provider you consider till you feel confident it will be the best place for you. Search for reviews and visit forums such as Close Protection World to research further into training providers. Make sure you are 100% happy with the company you choose.

Once you have decided on which company to go with, you’ll have at least 27 hours of learning about the job. The three main topics you’ll study are;

  • Work within the Private Security Industry
  • Work as a Security Guard
  • Conflict Management for the Private Security Industry

Once you have completed your course, you will sit an exam. If you have completed and passed the exam you’ll be eligible for the SIA licence. To apply for this, you can request an application pack from their number or from their website here. Remember there is a £220 non-refundable fee that you will have to pay when applying for your licence. The licensing period now lasts a few weeks from application to receiving your SIA license in the post. However, there has been a considerable delay at times of a few months so just be aware. Once you have received your licence, you can now start looking for a suitable Security Company you would like to work for.

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