Allied Universal Mock Interview
Practice 35 Allied Universal interview questions covering security operations, client service, and situational judgment.
Question 13 of 35
As a security guard, how do you spend your downtime on the job?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
If you are working as a security guard on foot or mobile patrol, you know that every moment is not action-packed, crime-fighting, keep your eyes peeled, or 'write home to mom' level of excitement. Talk to the interviewer about what you do with your time when a specific task does not occupy all of your attention.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"When I have some downtime, I first go to my security reports and follow up on complaints and inquiries. This task often involves calling people or visiting them to discuss the issue and break down what we have done or will do to help them. It's important that I keep myself busy during every shift so that my employer is getting the best of me."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I imagine that there may be some time during a shift, primarily night shifts, where there is less to do from an immediate security perspective. To make sure that every minute matters, I would do my paperwork, follow up on security complaints, or test my equipment to ensure everything is working as it should."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Be sure to focus your answer on letting the interviewer know that you will use your downtime for work-related tasks. The interviewer wants to know that you will use your downtime wisely. They do not want to hear that you will be texting a friend, watching movies, or napping.
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Anonymous Answer
There is no downtime. Equipment needs to be reviewed for proper operation, paperwork, reports need to be updated, old files purged, security checks of the facility need to be accomplished.
Stephanie's Feedback
It sounds like you have a good handle on what needs to get done, along with a plan for how to do it! To strengthen this response, I suggest adding a sentence or two about your ability to multi-task and your desire for productivity at work.
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