Peeked interest: Becoming a Security Guard

[YoungJRNY]

Back in my Junior year in High School, the interest in security has always been something burning in my stomach that I wouldn't mind getting into. Once I got more into sports and then figuring out to go to school and all that good stuff, I never gave much thought thereafter to get into the security guard business. Though I'm waiting for a big business proposal within the next few weeks, I ran into a buddy of mine who brought up that field and I got that burning feeling in my stomach as I did some 7 years ago when I was considering it and I've been pondering looking back into that field of service regardless of other proposals.

Anybody got any shared advice or stories in this field?

[Don]

I did security when I first got out of the service. It's a job.

[Everett]

"Travis's SUPER Protection Agency"

[mikemarrs]

There are a couple pointers i will give you right off the bat.Find the more reputable security company in your city and you'll be alright just make sure you go to the one thats most recommended because they will treat you better and put you in nicer locations.There will be several choices just go with the company that has the best feedback.

When i was about 18 or so i ended up working at a crappy security outfit and quit two weeks later because of the places they put me then i met a person who told me i went to the wrong company and steered me to a more reputable company.Once at this better company i was put at a location where i was guarding the entrance to a multimillion dollar community where all the ritzy people lived.On my second week on the job they had the fedex st. jude golf tournament at this very place and i checked in Michael Jordan and all kinds of movers and shakers.I worked there everyday with one day off for six months straight and made pretty good money with the overtime and bought my first sports car a 1990 Chevy Camaro RS.This was in 1993 or so.

Went away from the security field for a few years doing pipefitter work but when that was over with i went back to security.This time i was put at a warehouse in an industrial part of town and a lot of guards hated it there because it was isolated and not too far from a bad neighborhood but there was a huge chain link fence all around the property but after my first week i was going to quit but my boss at the security company basically said the owner of this place i guarded liked my work ethic and attitude and what would it take for me to stay at that warehouse.Well i told 'em i wanted a dollar raise and Friday off and they agreed and i spent the next ten years at this one place.I made good money with overtime and had Friday off so i was cool with it and i grew to like the place and the people there felt likewise about me.They would have a different guard there every Friday because no one wanted to work there.Well this place had been open nearly a hundred years and they hit lean times and shut down and i guarded the premises for two years when no one worked there until the property sold and i admit it was a bit spooky once they workforce left and i was there by myself that last two years.

A couple more pointers.Once you put in an application if they give you a job they will make you take a class to get certified as a guard.You will have to pay for your security license and you might have to pay for your training which they will take a little bit out of each paycheck till you pay it all.Once you get accepted you will get a schedule and they might put you at one place or put you at a different location every time.I always waited until i found a place i really liked and then i would ask them if i could work that one location.I always worked nights although they had day shifts also.I always enjoyed nights better because at night there weren't as many people around watching or telling you what to do.Another thing is sometimes you get a guardshack and i always liked those jobs because you were inside a building and not in your car.I did not like having to work places where i had to sit in my car because it got boring really quick.My favorite places to work were office buildings or warehouses where you are inside the premises.I also liked working car lots those were always a blast.The places i did not like to work were grocery stores,restaurants,apartment buildings,etc. There will be a supervisor who comes by in a patrol vehicle two or three times throughout the shift to check on you and they call these post checks.

There is some decent money to be made if you get with a good company and if you work overtime thats where you can make time and a half so your check will be higher.Even if your working a couple days a week its better than working at a restaurant or grocery store.I enjoyed it but like i said it depends on the location.

[YoungJRNY]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice, guys. Security was always in the back of my mind at a young age and if I ever had a time to do it and experience it, it would be now before bigger things could be right around the corner. I'll check into it and see where to go from here once I hear back from something I've been waiting for, for a LONG time. If it falls through, I may go through with this and give it a shot to see what it's like and find an agency that pays well in the area. I know it's something I'd enjoy.

What is the testing usually on? Do they give you time to look over things on subjects it may cover or it is a Wonderlic type thing?