Top 10 Qualities Every Excellent Security Guard Should Have

Security services are some of the most important elements of a successful business operation. Security personnel are hired to help keep people and the premises safe and maintain peace and order. They are also often hired to serve as personal escorts and safety officers. Before hiring someone with whom you will entrust the safety and security of your property or those of your loved ones, look carefully at their qualifications. Here are the top 10 qualities of an excellent security guard:

Training

The best security guards are those who have undergone the necessary training that will help them obtain important skills and knowledge that will be critical to how well they can perform their job. They should also hold the required certification and license necessary for them to do their job.

Experience

An experienced security guard has the background and knowledge that he or she can apply on the job. This means that he or she can hit the ground running, so to speak. Trained and experienced security guards know what to do and why.

Honesty

One of the best and most important qualities of an excellent security guard is honesty. Someone who is reliable can be trusted, which means that letting them take charge eliminates any worries regarding security breaches, inside jobs or confidential information.

Commonsense

Although security guards must follow certain rules and policies, they should have enough common sense to know exactly how and when to work around an issue, especially if it presents a potential risk to their client.

Ability to lead and to follow

Another important quality of an excellent security guard is his or her leadership ability. Many times, the security personnel are expected to work with a team, which means they have to know when to take charge. Where the safety of the client is at risk, the security personnel must know how and when to impose the necessary practices for the common good.

A security guard must also know how to abide by the rules, particularly those set up by their client. There are instances, however, when these rules need to be modified in order to ensure that the client is kept safe or that legal requirements are met.

Communication skills

An excellent security guard must be able to communicate well, not just with the client but with other people the client works or is involved with on a day-to-day basis.

Physical fitness

The best security guards are those that are healthy, nimble and physically reliable, able to defend himself/herself and the client if and when necessary.

Value for human life

An excellent security guard puts value on human life above all. In this type of job, strong concern for others is critical, allowing the guard to work at his or her best.

Ability to think on his/her feet 

An excellent security guard must be quick-thinking and able to come up with good solutions within a short time frame. This quality is especially important during emergency situations.

Photos by:

Ed Kashi 

© Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis

Tips on What to Consider When Hiring Hotel Security Personnel

Guests and employees rely on hotel security personnel to keep them safe within the premises of the hotel. While these places are relatively secure to begin with, crime can and does occur. Here are the key considerations you need to make when hiring hotel security personnel.

The right training and experience


Hotel security personnel must have undergone training related to security and have had experience working in the same capacity. Hotels have their own unique needs and procedures, something that an experienced security staff understands.

It is also important for hotel security personnel to have undergone training in administering first aid. In most emergency situations, security personnel are the hotel employees who are readily available to respond, so they need to be ready and know what to do in order to extend help.

A clean background

When hiring hotel security personnel, it is important to perform a thorough background check to determine if the candidate is suitable for the job. Any problems and issues that a candidate may have had in the past can be a sign of future problems, so be careful when asking questions from former employees, trainers and colleagues. Make sure their references have been checked and verified and that any claims they may have on their resumes or during interviews are corroborated.

It is also a good idea to assess job candidates thoroughly for trustworthiness and honesty. Keep in mind that they will likely interact with guests and other hotel staff. If any one is harmed due to negligence or deliberate malice on the part of the security staff, the hotel could easily face a complaint or even a lawsuit. Well-trained security personnel exhibit good judgment and proper conduct when doing their jobs.

Thorough understanding of the job.

The best hotel security personnel are those who understand that the best way to keep the premises safe is to proactively prevent and intercept crime and violations. Job candidates who think that hotel security is merely about patrolling the premises and acting only when and if incidents occur are not right for your business. Guests and other staff will be a lot safer if hotel security personnel practiced preventive steps.

Consider hiring from a security agency.

Security agencies perform initial assessments to potential hotel security personnel. In some cases, they may even let their employees undergo much-needed training to update their skills. Security agencies allow you to set your specifications and boundaries so they can tailor their services to your needs. Just be sure to check the background of the company and its past track record to determine if they are a good fit.