Security guards protect properties from acts of endangerment, vandalism, or theft. Before turning in your resume for a security guard job, imagine you’re in the position of the hiring manager. How would you find someone who understands the security complexities of the job and industry?
Writing a security guard cover letter and submitting a resume is important for expressing how you can address these kinds of concerns and explaining why your skills and values fit the bill. By doing so, you can make an impactful first impression that not only adds meaning to your resume but can intrigue the hiring manager to read through your application.
In this guide, we will discuss exactly what to include in a security guard cover letter, along with tips and samples for you to ace the process of writing one.
Table of Contents
Unlike static safety measures, such as locks or surveillance cameras, security guards can mitigate risky situations and take action when needed. While the roles and responsibilities of a security guard vary across positions and settings, some common duties include:
The work settings of security guards span from private residents to commercial buildings and public institutions. When applying for a job as a security guard, you may find positions from all sorts of sectors, such as:
If this sounds like a job for you, keep reading to find out more about how to successfully land a job as a security guard.
First of all, let’s start off with a security guard cover letter sample so you can have a hint of what should and should not be included in a cover letter for this position.
Jane Doe
314-123-4567
[email protected]
December 1, 2022.
Neema Rivers
Scenic Resort
123 Resort Dr, MO 63123
Dear Ms. Rivers,
I am interested in applying for your opening as a Hotel Security Officer. Having worked as a Security Officer at XYZ Hotel for over 5 years, I am confident that I possess the problem-solving skills and technical knowledge required to provide guests with a secure and pleasant experience at Scenic Resort.
Being familiar with the hospitality industry, I understand how to take preventative and protective measures when securing the personal information and assets of guests. I was responsible for patrolling the hotel grounds, hallways, and public facilities at XYZ Hotel, which houses over 500 rooms. To manage the security oversight of hotel premises – indoors and outdoors – I coordinated a team of 10 security personnel to monitor and report suspicious visitors or events.
To strengthen our security procedures, I assessed areas of risk and collaborated with hotel staff and managers to increase check-in/check-out verification steps, reduce entry points and introduce emergency checklists to guests at front desks. My implementation of these security protocols has helped the hotel reduce theft-related incidents by 15%. Besides my knowledge of security concerns in the hospitality sector, I am well-acquainted with operating CCTV systems and managing control access software.
Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing my application. I understand that Scenic Resort prizes the unified and individual safety of their guests. Addressing security implications from room-to-room to common area situations, my problem-solving skills comprehensively extend from the personal to the organizational level. A chance to discuss what I have to offer would be highly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
📚 Further reading: Cover Letter for CV: How to Write, Examples, & Template
Your security guard cover letter should start with a polite greeting to the hiring person. Since security guards are expected to be professional, be careful not to use greetings such as “Hey” or “Hi” in your cover letter, as this may err on being too casual. A suitable form of address would be using “Dear”, followed by the recipient’s honorific and last name (e.g. Dear Mr. Anderson).
If you search the recipient’s name to no avail, addressing the recipient as “Hiring Manager” or “Hiring Team” would also be appropriate for your security guard cover letter.
Make sure to include your name and contact details in the letterhead of your security guard cover letter. You could also opt to include them along with the date of writing and the recipient’s contact details before the body of your security guard cover letter.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are sending a security guard cover letter over email, you can include your name or the position applied in the letterhead and leave your contact details in your signature. If you are attaching multiple documents, use matching letterheads across all your files and upload in PDF format for stylistic consistency.
In the introduction of your security guard cover letter, briefly state the job you’re applying for, the company’s name and your top relevant skills. To make your introductory paragraph even more engaging, you could refer to your motivations for applying to the security job. These could be experiences from the past or aspirations for the future. The following is an example of a cover letter introduction for a security officer application with no experience:
“As a first-year Criminal Justice student at XYZ University, I was delighted to learn of the school’s opening for a Campus Security Officer. Previously, I was an Administrative Assistant at our Wellington Campus, where I answered student inquiries, addressed or relayed faculty concerns, and ensured the discretion of sensitive information. Being a student and having worked on our campus site, I hope to provide the high level of safety XYZ University has always given to its members and guests. I believe my skills in customer service, teamwork, and confidentiality would be valuable to the role of Campus Security Officer.”
To increase the visibility of your security guard cover letter, include action verbs and quantifiable accounts of your progress in your body paragraphs. By including action verbs (e.g. monitored, coordinated, analyzed, etc.), hiring managers can more easily skim and identify the relevant skills you provide to the security job role. The following is an example of a hospital security supervisor cover letter:
“I have extensive experience working in healthcare security at AGH, MontHealth, and XY Hospital. Some of my primary responsibilities involved delegating tasks to security officers, supervising high-profile clients and areas, and communicating with law enforcement authorities. I am well-trained in CPR, First Aid, and BLS, and can readily respond to time-sensitive medical emergencies.
To maintain a quiet environment in hospital settings, I monitored for disturbances, preventing or containing them when needed. To do so, I streamlined security systems and teams. Through a re-planning of monitoring systems at AGH and MontHealth, which involved changes in camera placements and high-traffic surveillance, I reduced the rate of damage and safety incidents by upwards of 20%. At XY Hospital, I revised the training program and security protocols, leading to a 10% increase in response rate.”
For your security guard cover letter, also think about statistics in terms of what you’ve helped a previous company improve on. Examples of achievements could include:
When writing a security guard cover letter, make sure to include soft and hard skills to show if you have the personality traits and physical or technical capability for the security guard job. The following are examples of soft and hard skills that security guard cover letters might include:
📚 Further reading: 100+ Soft Skills to Add in Resume [+ Pro Tips & ATS Friendliness]
At the end of your security guard cover letter, politely remind recruiters to read any additional pieces you may have included (e.g. resume, CV) and request a way to discuss your skills and experiences in more detail. This could be an in-person meetup, interview or follow-up call. The following is how a cover letter invitation might appear for an information security officer:
“With a keen eye for problem-solving when it comes to spotting security threats and vulnerabilities, I would honor an interview opportunity to elaborate on ways we can protect user data. Please find attached my resume, which provides a summary of my skills. I can be reached at [email protected] or 123-456-7890.”
Close off your security guard cover letter with a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely”, followed by your name. Again, similar to how you would avoid casual addresses for your security guard cover letter, refrain from using informal sign-offs such as “Yours Truly” or “Take Care”.
Write targeted cover letters for the security guard jobs you apply for by researching the goals and responsibilities of the job. For instance, a mall security guard may require customer service skills in crowded environments, while a personal security guard could prioritize individual safety. Envision yourself as a representative for the company and write in a similar tone and language. Doing research also helps you decide if your values align with a company’s.
Some of the key skills security guard cover letters should include are problem-solving and being able to work under pressure. Before situations escalate, a rational, problem-solving approach is critical in making the appropriate judgment calls.
To prevent dangerous scenarios from occurring, continuing, or repeating, security guards need problem-solving skills to gather information and formulate solutions. In time-sensitive situations, security guards also need to remain cool-headed, especially when easing crowd panic, limiting the spread of risk, and ensuring safety details aren’t overlooked.
For applicants with little to no professional experience, point out relevant certifications, courses, training or skills in your security guard cover letter. For instance, armed guard positions may have additional requirements (e.g. specific licenses, training, or registration) compared to unarmed guard jobs in order to carry or operate certain equipment.
While security guard jobs may not necessarily require post-secondary degrees, taking courses in criminal justice, cyber security, or medical training could be helpful. You could also look towards transferable skills that may not be technically related to the job, but can be applicable, such as communication, leadership or conflict resolution skills.
Now that you already know what to write in a cover letter for a security guard position, here’s a ready-to-use template for you:
[Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Mr./Mrs/Ms. or Hiring Manager],
I am interested in your opening for a [security guard position]. I possess skills in [list top relevant skills] that I believe would be valuable to [company name].
I understand that [company name] prioritizes the safety of [mention company’s safety objective]. At [former/current company name], my responsibilities involved [mention top relevant responsibilities]. From my experience, I have developed [relevant skills] that are important for meeting your objective in [job objective]. My accomplishments include [mention quantifiable achievements]. I am also certified in [relevant certifications].
Thank you for considering my application. I would like to discuss how I [summary of skills and experience] in an interview. Please find enclosed my resume and do not hesitate to reach me at [email] or [phone number].
Sincerely,
[Full Name]
To make your security guard cover letter stand out, it's important to customize it according to the company and the specific job posting. This can be done by researching the company beforehand. Use action words and figures to make your cover letter more effective. Additionally, be sure to include both soft and hard skills in your cover letter to demonstrate your suitability for the job. Finally, don’t forget to close your letter by inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview.
We hope that this article has helped you to have a better understanding of how to write a killer cover letter. Follow our blog for more career guidance and advice!
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— Originally written by Flora Lai —
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