Getting ahead...

What is the best training for becoming a hirable security guard? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective security guard?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Security Officer > Armed Guard > Locksmith > Security System Installation
You can probably get certified in all of these through your company.

Security Officer > Armed Guard > Bouncer > Body Guard

Security Officer > Private Investigator > Security Company of your Own

I have to be honest, the average Security Company ask that you prior Military, or Law enforcment and get these different certifications but they really don't pay (I think) for what they are asking for. Except for Sectek I wish they had more openings in Texas, but...All is not lost! I accedntally ran across the part of Security called "Tactical Response" or labor unrest. there are many Companies that give you the advanced training , and certifications you need to suceed. wait it gets better they also fly you out to the training sites, pay for your hotel and feed you. And give you a job to-boot!!! then once you are called out to an assignment you make good money every week plus you are paid a real nice daily food per-diem. But for your life to run smooth you would need to apply with several different companys that offer this, you see, an assignment could last up to 60 days and you have to commit to at least 45 days (good )money right? But the down side is that is when you get back you might not get another call back for two months thats why it's wise to sign-up and train with more then one company, your work is based on unions and employees being on strike, walk outs, etc. Anyway this is what I do for a living and I Love it! one last thing you get to travel and stay in nice hotels all over the United States and if they call and you want to sit the next assignment out? hey thats ok they'll catch you next time around. Here, I'll start you off with the one that started it off for me (Vanceglobal.com) once you get to class there will be people there with list and list of others, now this is not for everyone but I love it, o yea it won't matter what city or state you live in, they'll fly you in from all over. Good Luck!!!

Prior experience is important, but most security companies will train the right candidate with good character and a propoer attitude.

www.legionsecurityservice.com/

why do they pay so low .. its really nasty .. and i hate to see this going on .. security ofr's in genral should make 15 and up .. there is alot of mother f**kers out there dont wana pay for a god dam quailty so you know what ... dont work for any one that pays 9 or 10 an hour ... f**k them and their f**king 9 dollars .. so yah ..all ofr's should start at least with 15 and up .. any one agree ?

I know were your comming i was a security supervisor for 15 yrs the problems
is security companies make more off YOU that is why you will hear THEY JUST
WANT A body you will hear that alot if a security company gets a good
client and they want to pay $15.00 hr the security company loves that
the reson is the more they get paid from the client the more they make off
you so remerber the more security companys make from the client the more
they make off you. This is the way all and i mean all security companys
work.There all the messed up like this you will see.They will tell you
YOU DID A GREAT JOB THATS BULL.Here's one think to keep in mind
if you want a rise you have to go to them they will not come to you.
If you go to them for more money you will probaly get the answer.
I WILL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT
Don't get me wrony some security compamies do pay good but like i said before
the more they make from a client the more they make off you
they might ask you if you can work over time if you do ask yourself why
is my pay check wrong with all the overtime i worked. you go to them you might see it fix in about 2 weeks all i can tell you is make
and i do mean make sure YOU KEEP ALL OF YOUR PAY STUBS THEY CAN F___you up
YOU OVER. Be CAREFUL

JF Supervisor no more THANK GOD
GOOD LUCK BE CAREFUL

My husband is new to the Security Guard business. He works for Smith Securities, and everyone keeps telling him that Smith is the laughing stock of the Security business. He only makes 7.50 to 9 dollars an hour at any job he gets. Is this a joke or what? Just wondering how i can help him get into a better job and where to look. (I'm looking into the one in the above posting but i'd appreciate anyone's help with more.)

Thanks for being here its been a big help by the way.

Security Officer Wife
Have your husband check the web site iHireSecurity.com
this web site can help with all his needs they are very good
they can find high payings jobs in security.
The best thing he can do is take a course in CJ.Elizabeth in Houston, Texas
this girl knows what's she's talking about read it in the Forum.

i think this can help me

Security officer wife in Pasadena, Texas said: My husband is new to the Security Guard business. He works for Smith Securities, and everyone keeps telling him that Smith is the laughing stock of the Security business. He only makes 7.50 to 9 dollars an hour at any job he gets. Is this a joke or what? Just wondering how i can help him get into a better job and where to look. (I'm looking into the one in the above posting but i'd appreciate anyone's help with more.)

Thanks for being here its been a big help by the way.

I have been in security for awhile. the best is private security where a company has there own in house security instead of contracting out. An officer will probly make more by doing this. I currently work for securitas security services in ohio. I am what they call a SORT officer. I make decent wage but i work at 27 different locations and on call 24/7

Elizabeth in Houston, Texas said: I have to be honest, the average Security Company ask that you prior Military, or Law enforcment and get these different certifications but they really don't pay (I think) for what they are asking for. Except for Sectek I wish they had more openings in Texas, but...All is not lost! I accedntally ran across the part of Security called "Tactical Response" or labor unrest. there are many Companies that give you the advanced training , and certifications you need to suceed. wait it gets better they also fly you out to the training sites, pay for your hotel and feed you. And give you a job to-boot!!! then once you are called out to an assignment you make good money every week plus you are paid a real nice daily food per-diem. But for your life to run smooth you would need to apply with several different companys that offer this, you see, an assignment could last up to 60 days and you have to commit to at least 45 days (good )money right? But the down side is that is when you get back you might not get another call back for two months thats why it's wise to sign-up and train with more then one company, your work is based on unions and employees being on strike, walk outs, etc. Anyway this is what I do for a living and I Love it! one last thing you get to travel and stay in nice hotels all over the United States and if they call and you want to sit the next assignment out? hey thats ok they'll catch you next time around. Here, I'll start you off with the one that started it off for me (Vanceglobal.com) once you get to class there will be people there with list and list of others, now this is not for everyone but I love it, o yea it won't matter what city or state you live in, they'll fly you in from all over. Good Luck!!!

(RINZINGRAND SPEAKS;) honey,baby, sweetheart..it is,repeat is a scam, and always has been!THEY WILL FLY YOU, ALL RIGHT..RIGHT OVER THE SITE AND DUMP YOU WITHOUT A PARACHUTE.!something4nothing, EHHH?

LET ME BE RESPECTFUL IN MY LANGUAGE WHEN ADDRESSING A NICE LADY LIKE ELIZABETH, IN HOUSTON,TEXAS.;;DID YOU KNOW TEXAS SECURITY LAWS ARE "WIDE OPEN AND WILD"..TO BOTH ACCEPTING UNDOCUMENTED GUARDS AS TO BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND STICKING GUARDS INTO LABOR-BUSTING ACTIVITIES WHICH BOARDER ON, OR CROSS THE LEGAL LINE...FOR THESE BIG CORPORATIONS? THE WACKENHUT CORPORATION HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR SUCH ODIOUS ANTICS IN THE PAST, AND IT HAS COST THEM FINES AND POLITICAL REPRIMANDS IN CONGRESS TO BOOT! WHY BE A NEAR-MINIMUM WAGE FLUNKY OR STOOGE FOR DOING WRETCHED THINGS..IT WON'T MAKE SOCIETY, OR YOUR DAY ANY BRIGHTER. I, MYSELF, WITH A BA DEGREE FROM STETSON UNIVERSITY, PREFER A HIGHER WAGE ON SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS...AWAY FROM NOSEY, PRYING. EARS-AND-EYES. I'M NOT"ALL THAT", BUT I JUST DON'T LIKE SIX SPOONS JERKED IN FRONT OF ME EVERY TIME I SIT DOWN TO A BOWL OF SOUP!ELIZABETH, I'LL BE CLEARLY FRANK WITH YOU AND THE REST OF AMERICA'S SECURITY ONLINE..SECURITY CAN BE FULL OF HONEST, WELL-INTENTIONED GUARDS..BUT THE CLIENTS AND GUARD AGENCY ACCOUNT MANAGERS WILL NOT MAKE LIFE EASY FOR YOU AT THE WAGES YOU ARE GETTING. SAD, BUT TRUE! THE SLIGHTLY HIGHER WAGE FOR THE LIMITED TIME-FRAME YOU MENTION IS CALLED A "SHORT-TERMED CONTRACT"..IT IS A HIGHER BILLING TO CLIENTS THAN NORMAL, USUALLY ON SHORT NOTICE, AND LEAVES THE GUARD WITH NO PROMISED LEAD-IN TO A PERMANENT POSITION, OR HOOK-UP TO ANOTHER IMMEDIATE SHORT-TERM CONTRACT.IF YOU CAN HAVE A SURPLUS BANK ACCOUNT TO TIDE-YOU-OVER BETWEEN MONKEY-BARRING FROM SHORT TERM-TO-SHORT TERM CONTRACT, YOU MIGHT END UP WITH 15-20% MORE ANNUALLY, BUT IT IS MORE RISK..AND YOU MUST BE AT THE BECK-AND-CALL OF MANAGEMENT TO GO TO NEW LOCATIONS AND ROTATE TO DIFFERENT HOURS. IN THOSE SITUATIONS, FOR ME, (NOT BEING TIED DOWN AS A FAMILY MAN) I ALWAYS ROTATE TO THE OVERNIGHT SHIFT..WHERE THINGS ARE SLOWER, AND I CAN LISTEN TO COAST-TO-COAST AND NOT FEEL LIKE I AM MORE THEN I KNOW I AM NOT..CATCH THE DRIFT..BE EASY ON YOURSELF,BE WELL!

( SECURITAS TIRADE BY MR.KNOWITALL CONT. ) YOU SEE, THE SAME OLD-SCHOOL GUARDS MERELY RECIRCULATE IN THE MIAMI MARKET..THEY KNOW ALL THE TRICKS, THE CONS, AND THEY SMELL A DEAD FISH CALLED "SECURITAS". THAT IS WHY THE COMPANY IS AT ODDS WITH THE FORMER GUARDS..THEIR NEW CLOTHES FOR THE EMPEROR, ARE IN FACT, NO CLOTHES AT ALL! THE RUN-AROUND YOU DESCRIBBE AS 24/7 IS SUB-STANDARD HOURS ( POSSIBLY AT SUB-STANDARD PAY ),AND BURNS OUT THE GUARD GOING HERE-AND-THERE FOR FILLING THOSE SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS( WHICH GIVES THE GUARD AGENCY A LARGER MARGIN OF PROFIT ). IN MIAMI, I SEE SECURITAS PLUNGING INTO A JOB MANPOWER POOL OF STUDENT AND PART-TIME OUT-OF-WORKFORCE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T HAD THE KNACK OF FOLDING IN-AND-OUT OF GUARD DUTIES IN MIAMI..THEY ARE NOT EXPERIENCED, AND TRAINING CANNOT DEFER THE DANGERS THAT HAVE GROWN IN A TOWN LIKE MIAMI. THE LIABILITY WILL MEET THE PROFIT GREED AT AN UNFORTUNATE INTERSECTION..WHICH THE GUARD WILL END UP LOSING IN THE TOSS!THAT IS WHY I PROTECT MY BUT AND INTERESTS, FIRST,LAST,AND ALWAYS! THEY DON'T CARE IF YOU OVERWORK AND GET A HEART-ATTACK...AND BY THE WAY, WHO IS GONNA PAY FOR THAT MEDICAL WATERLOO ON THEIR CRAPPY WELLNESS POLICIES THAT DON'T EVEN COVER A NOSEBLEED?!SECURITAS, BY THE ECONOMIC BLOGS I READ IN EUROPE, IS NOT DOING WELL IN THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN..NONE OF THEIR EUROPEAN DIVISIONS ARE MAKING MARK..SO THEY PACKIN-UP-THE-TRUCK, AND THEY MOVE TO BEVERLY..HILSS, THAT IS...EXPLOITABLE CHEAP LABOR, A CARPETBAGGER'S DREAMS IN HARD TIMES. YEH, LADY, KNOW THEM FOR WHAT THEY AREN'T...ANYTHING NEW OR GOOD FOR THE AMERICAN GUARD WORKER! ( END OF TIRADE ON SECURITAS SPEAK ) GO AHEAD, SUE ME YOU FREAKS..YOU KNOW I CAN BACK IT AND STACK IT..TRY IT, YOU WON'T LIKE IT!

Ashworth college has a good course online that you can take. Stay away from Security companys that pay 7.50 hour. That was the average pay in 1996. SOme are still paying that amount.

Thank you ! Gary

OHHHH YEHHH-SEEMS LIKE ONE OF OLD DEAD GEORGE'S OFFSHOOT COMPANIES ( SYNONYMOUS WITH BROKEN CONTRACTS DUE TO CORRUPTIONS WORLD-WIDE )NORTH AMERICAN ARMOR, HAS FOLLOWED IN THE UNHOLY FOOTSTEPS OF THE CORRUPT TEXAS IMPRISONED SYSTEM OUT-SOURCING; THE WHISTLE-BLOWING BRTRAYAL OF THE ALYESKKA INCIDENT, AND THE OUT-RIGHT EMBARRASSING EXHIBITION OF NON-PERFORMANCE ON MIAMI'S METRO-RAIL CONTRACT. I ONCE TOLD GEORGE I'D LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO LAUGH OVER HIS CRUMBLING EMPIRE THAT DESTROYED CAREERS----GEORGE---YOU ARE DEAD, AND I AM LAUGHING. THE MIGHTY WERE---LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN MINDS. SHADOWS AND SPOOKS NO ONE FEARS OR RESPECTS ANYMORE. A VACANT-HUT---CATCH THE DRIFT!??? HOW I LAUGH,DUDE!!!

DO WE REMEMBER DER ACHTUNG BOOT FOOTFALLS AND ACTIONS OF HERR CARR UND DER BISLER ON BEHALF OF DER FUERER, HERR GEORGE? JAVAL, MEIN GUT REICH-MEISTER!PUT GUARD CAREERS IN THE OVENS AND TORCHED THE FLAMES---WE GUARDS ARE NOW GOING TO GIVE THE GUARD COMPANIES THAT FOLLOW THIS UNHOLY REICH'S DIRTY TRICKS IN MODERN TIME A LITTLE OVEN TIME OF THEIR OWN! IT IS CALLED UNIONIZER'S POT-ROAST---MMMMM- SO TASTY WITH WACKEN-SAUCE!

MR. KNOWITALL in Miami, Florida said: (RINZINGRAND SPEAKS;) honey,baby, sweetheart..it is,repeat is a scam, and always has been!THEY WILL FLY YOU, ALL RIGHT..RIGHT OVER THE SITE AND DUMP YOU WITHOUT A PARACHUTE.!something4nothing, EHHH?

It is NOT a scam! I worked for Vance in 1988 and that's exactly what they did...train you, pay you $200.00 PER DAY for the full 60 days and house and feed you too. True, I was living at a coal mine in Ky, but the money was great! Dangerous work but strikers and union people never have been too nice.

Elizabeth in Houston, Texas said: I have to be honest, the average Security Company ask that you prior Military, or Law enforcment and get these different certifications but they really don't pay (I think) for what they are asking for. Except for Sectek I wish they had more openings in Texas, but...All is not lost! I accedntally ran across the part of Security called "Tactical Response" or labor unrest. there are many Companies that give you the advanced training , and certifications you need to suceed. wait it gets better they also fly you out to the training sites, pay for your hotel and feed you. And give you a job to-boot!!! then once you are called out to an assignment you make good money every week plus you are paid a real nice daily food per-diem. But for your life to run smooth you would need to apply with several different companys that offer this, you see, an assignment could last up to 60 days and you have to commit to at least 45 days (good )money right? But the down side is that is when you get back you might not get another call back for two months thats why it's wise to sign-up and train with more then one company, your work is based on unions and employees being on strike, walk outs, etc. Anyway this is what I do for a living and I Love it! one last thing you get to travel and stay in nice hotels all over the United States and if they call and you want to sit the next assignment out? hey thats ok they'll catch you next time around. Here, I'll start you off with the one that started it off for me (Vanceglobal.com) once you get to class there will be people there with list and list of others, now this is not for everyone but I love it, o yea it won't matter what city or state you live in, they'll fly you in from all over. Good Luck!!!

I would love to get info from you. can you please email me? i am trying to get into that as well. i do have experence both over seas and local. thank you

is securitas a good company to work with in San Diego, CA

Elizabeth in Houston, Texas said: I have to be honest, the average Security Company ask that you prior Military, or Law enforcment and get these different certifications but they really don't pay (I think) for what they are asking for. Except for Sectek I wish they had more openings in Texas, but...All is not lost! I accedntally ran across the part of Security called "Tactical Response" or labor unrest. there are many Companies that give you the advanced training , and certifications you need to suceed. wait it gets better they also fly you out to the training sites, pay for your hotel and feed you. And give you a job to-boot!!! then once you are called out to an assignment you make good money every week plus you are paid a real nice daily food per-diem. But for your life to run smooth you would need to apply with several different companys that offer this, you see, an assignment could last up to 60 days and you have to commit to at least 45 days (good )money right? But the down side is that is when you get back you might not get another call back for two months thats why it's wise to sign-up and train with more then one company, your work is based on unions and employees being on strike, walk outs, etc. Anyway this is what I do for a living and I Love it! one last thing you get to travel and stay in nice hotels all over the United States and if they call and you want to sit the next assignment out? hey thats ok they'll catch you next time around. Here, I'll start you off with the one that started it off for me (Vanceglobal.com) once you get to class there will be people there with list and list of others, now this is not for everyone but I love it, o yea it won't matter what city or state you live in, they'll fly you in from all over. Good Luck!!!

I did this for Wachenhut back in 1985, worked 1 strike for them and was hooked. Unfortunately my wife at the time did not like me to be gone with two youngens for her to care for.

Trent Miller in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania said: Prior experience is important, but most security companies will train the right candidate with good character and a propoer attitude.

www.legionsecurityservice.com/

Now how do you define "proper attitude"?

Dr Dave in Lake Mary, Florida said: why do they pay so low .. its really nasty .. and i hate to see this going on .. security ofr's in genral should make 15 and up .. there is alot of mother f**kers out there dont wana pay for a god dam quailty so you know what ... dont work for any one that pays 9 or 10 an hour ... f**k them and their f**king 9 dollars .. so yah ..all ofr's should start at least with 15 and up .. any one agree ?

You might want to try and use spell check.

Host said: What is the best training for becoming a hirable security guard? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective security guard?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Each state varies. I found if you have prior military or law enforcement experience that seems to help the most. In states like California, I've noticed most companies want Security officers to have their guard card, baton,pepper spray, tazer and firearm certifications. At that, a lot of those jobs still pay close to minimum wage
Working in Seattle, I have found most guards work unarmed for for over $12 hr minimum. My advice is take as much training as your security company will offer.CPR and First Aid also help

how do i become a security guard? are there any companies that provide free training?

tonyvee in Los Angeles, California said: how do i become a security guard? are there any companies that provide free training?[/Q

Since your profile says your in Los Angeles, im Assuming your in California? There are some companies out there that will still give you your security training. If you find event security job ads online, they will sometimes give you your initial training to become a security officer.The other way is to find a school or business that offers security training. You will pay more that way, but can have all if not most of your licenses with them. Good luck in your endeavor.

When I worked as a security guard at Guardsmark for Sprint in 1997 they didn't want you armed or anything. They paid me 9.50/hr. for a family starting out that was ok. Not the best. What do I need to do to further my career? I have spoken to local police and they said I could do (totally off the path) 911 dispatch-12 shifts. Kids would have to suffer along the way.