Security Guard Interview
Questions

"I have been certified in CPR and First Aid for six years now. My certifications recently came close to their expiry, so I took it upon myself to renew them. I have copies with me today that you may keep for my file. It's important to me that I continue to offer a variety of skills to my employer. Part of that is knowing that I can react properly and effectively in an emergency."

"I was looking online at some options for First Aid and CPR certifications and found one at my local community college. I have enrolled and aim for full certification in 30 days. I understand the importance of this training and look forward to offering even more to your organization and those I serve in this position."

"I have trained extensively, and have been in many challenging situations as a security officer. For instance, I worked as a hospital security guard for eight years in the emergency room department. No two days were the same. We would have patients who needed care immediately, and others who would become angry because they needed to wait too long. We also had some transient folk who were high on drugs and looking for a fix. I quickly learned to keep my head on a swivel and never react emotionally to anything that I saw during a shift."

"I often hear stories about violent acts against security officers and, of course, that is a concern for me. With that said, I believe that my training in hand to hand combat and my post-secondary courses in criminal psychology will lend themselves well, should I ever be in a similar situation. I am a calm person by nature, and I like to sort issues out rather than dwell in them or become panicked."

"I am looking for full-time employment and prefer working daytime or afternoon shifts. I have a young family that I would like to spend my evenings with as often as possible. Of course, should you be in a pinch and need evening coverage now and then, I am certainly willing to be a team player. Do my hours of availability meet your current needs?"

"I would like to offer a range of availability as I kick-start my career in security. I know this may mean night shifts, doubles, shift work, and even weekends and holidays; however, I am prepared to start where I can!"

"My weakness is not delegating. I know what needs doing and how I want it done, so it's often easier to do it myself. However, it can inhibit my ability to grow. I know that I cannot take on every part of a job or security project. I need to be able to give the task or a portion of it to another team member or direct report. I've spoken with my team about this weakness, and they have agreed to step in when they see me taking on too much. By bringing awareness to it at the moment, I find my propensity to hold onto control has decreased, so I'm certainly moving in the right direction."

"My primary weakness surrounds my technical abilities. I consider myself a beginner level user in many computer programs, so I have decided to start coursework this fall to expand on skills such as typing and using Word and Excel."

"I experienced a termination once before. Earlier in my career, I was not as prompt as I am today. After coming to work late a couple of times, my boss let me go. It was embarrassing, and I learned a lot from the situation. I am much more dedicated to my work now. I am reliable and have not been late for work in years."

"I have never come close to termination or been reprimanded for misconduct or poor performance. My reputation is incredibly important to me, especially as I am beginning to carve out my career."

"In my current job I work by myself about 75% of the time, with absolutely no issue. My supervisor often comments on how he appreciates my ability to stay alert and motivated, even on quieter night shifts where I am working alone. I am not one to twiddle my thumbs or be bored. There is always something to check out, watch, and look after. You can rest assured that I would work very hard no matter the level of supervision."

"I have always held jobs where I work independently, and even a couple of temporary assignments that required me to work from a home office. I learned a lot about self-discipline during my post-secondary studies, and now I apply this discipline to my work, no matter who is around."

"I am willing to comply with any background checks that you require. I will disclose that I have a couple of traffic infractions; however, nothing serious that would prevent me from doing this job safely and professionally."

"I am happy to comply with any background checks you require. You will find that my criminal background is clean, as will be my driving record and drug test."

"I believe that the clients who outsource your security guards are ones who have temporary needs. These needs include events, high peak times, or seasonal work, when hiring a full-time team member would not make sense. I have worked as a full-time dedicated officer, and as a contracted security officer. I am open to either situation and can adapt to a variety of needs and scenarios."

"I believe that you need security here because of the high volume of traffic you experience during the day. You also hold a lot of cash and sensitive goods that need 24/7 protection. Is this a correct assessment?"

"My future goals within security include gaining my firearms license and ability to be an armed security officer. I have career goals that include leading a team, supporting law enforcement in every way possible, and protecting the public from harm for many years to come."

"I believe that starting my career in security will position me nicely for a full-time career in law enforcement. I plan to work part-time while attending my pre-requisite college courses and training."

"I have used a variety of surveillance and CCTV equipment systems including (give specific brands and system names). I have used a variety of two-way radios, metal detectors of all types, and have performed electronic documentation via systems and apps such as (A) and (B)."

"I am tech-savvy and catch onto new processes and systems very quickly. Although my background may not include the use of security tech and equipment, I have an understanding of how CCTV systems work. I am eager to learn more during my security training."

"I am a very pragmatic and confident person, which I believe are incredibly important traits for a security guard to possess. These traits allow me to make quick decisions while relying on fact versus impulse."

"I am often complimented on my ability to speak and communicate with anyone. This openness and ability to hold a meaningful conversation will be helpful in this role as I work in crowds of different people every single day. Also, I am observant and remember the details of my interactions very well."

"As a seasoned security guard, I have felt in danger a handful of times on the job. I have faced perpetrators with knives, bear spray, and one with a gun that turned out to not be loaded. In each of these situations, I leaned on my training and worked to calm the violent person down through calm conversation and reasoning. Rarely do I use force on the job. I have taken coursework on Crisis Negotiation Techniques, which was an incredibly helpful addition to my security training."

"I hope to never be in this type of situation as a security guard; however, I feel that my training will prepare me to react appropriately in dangerous situations. I am a calm person by nature and also have an ability to calm other people down, so I would certainly use that skill to my benefit if I ever found myself in a dangerous situation."

"I have completed basic security training which included over 40 hours of classroom training. This coursework covered a variety of topics, including an introduction to the security industry, the US legal system, basic security patrol procedures, communication, documentation and evidence, health and safety, as well as emergency response procedures. Thanks to this training, I feel very well prepared for a career in security."

"I have a Bachelor's degree in communication and feel there are many ways that my post-secondary education has prepared me for a role in security. First, clear communication is a significant component of a job well done. I am an excellent writer and will excel in areas such as documentation. My time in post-secondary also taught me how to pay attention, be patient, and juggle multiple responsibilities and tight deadlines."

"I would say that patrolling buildings at night by myself is a task that I enjoy the least. To combat this, I ensure that someone on my team knows where I am and how long I expect to be away from the desk. I think this is a responsible way to ensure safety while working alone. As far as the tasks that I enjoy the most, I would say greeting everyone who comes across our desk during the day. My current job requires me to communicate with a significant range of people every day, and I love the variety."

"I believe I will like documentation the least; however, that is because I am not fast at typing. I am currently taking a course on typing so that I can improve this skill. If I had to guess which task I would enjoy the most, I believe that would be patrolling the property, whether on foot or in a vehicle. I am an active person, and I like to be on the move."

"Miscommunication is never a good thing in the workplace, especially as a security guard. In my current job, working around so many members of the public every day, I must carry a conversation clearly and precisely. Attention to detail is critical, so I must actively listen to the words and also the body language of others. Lastly, when it comes to documenting an incident, I must be able to express myself clearly in writing, which is another critical component to good communication."

"To me, good communication means being someone who listens and observes more than they speak. As a security guard, the more observant I can be with my eyes and ears, the better I will be in my job. By observing, I will be able to recall information and critical details much more clearly."