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Writing a cover letter for a security guard position? Create an outstanding application that shows employers you’re reliable and capable of handling any challenge that comes your way by checking out our three professional writing tips and security guard cover letter example below.
Copy-paste Security Guard Cover Letter (Text Format)
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: your.email@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7891
Address: Street, City, State
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name] 123 Company Address Company’s City, State, Zip Code (xxx) xxx-xxxx hiring.manager@gmail.com
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],
As an aspiring and motivated security guard, I was thrilled to see ABC Security recently advertise on their website for a Senior Security Guard position. Please kindly accept this application from a highly resourceful and skilled security professional who is adept in driving efficiencies, devising safety, maintaining security, loss prevention procedures, and enhancing existing company assets.
I’m currently employed with Carter-William Hospital as the Senior Security Guard, where I’m responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and ensuring the safety of a 400+ room hospital compound. I’ve successfully managed the scheduling for my security team, leading to an average annual payroll savings of $6000, as well as mentoring and providing proper defense training.
I’m confident that my experience in handling emergency situations, theft prevention, and identifying potential security threats will more than meet your expectations.
To further support your base requirements, I can bring a determined and enthusiastic perspective to this position. I take direction well but am also capable of working independently. Additionally, I possess certifications in both first aid and CPR.
My resume is enclosed for your consideration. I firmly believe that I would be an asset to the ABC Security team and would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience and certifications could contribute to your firm.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Average security guard salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.
Average security guard annual salaries by state
States
Salary / Year
California
$39,590
Florida
$33,890
New York
$39,780
Texas
$31,530
Pennsylvania
$36,020
Illinois
$36,960
Ohio
$34,350
Georgia
$34,800
North Carolina
$33,550
Michigan
$35,740
National Average
$36,678
3 professional writing tips for a security guard cover letter
Security Guards are continually in high demand due to their ability to protect people and property.
However, employers only want to hire qualified security guards they can trust. Even if you’re an experienced security specialist, you’ll need a convincing, well-written cover letter that wins employers over to land an interview.
For help writing a great security guard cover letter, check out our three writing tips below.
1. Focus on your security guard education and training
To properly perform your role as a security guard, you’ll need to have the proper education and training under your belt, and the best way to let employers know that you’re a qualified candidate is to highlight it in your security guard cover letter.
If you’re making a security guard cover letter for an entry-level position, highlighting your certification or training is a good way to make up for your lack of previous security guard job experience.
Here are some examples of available security guard certifications and training that you should mention in your cover letter:
Security 5 certification
First Aid
CPR
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
OSHA Safety Certificate
State drivers license
Additionally, you’ll need to specify whether or not you’re an armed security guard, as certain states have different requirements for security guard training and licensing that you’ll need to showcase on your cover letter and resume.
If you’re moving into a security guard managerial role, you’ll need to instead prepare a security officer cover letter that showcases your technical and managerial skills.
2. Use actions verbs suitable for a security guard
Action verbs are great to use in both your security guard resume and cover letter because they’re more engaging for the hiring manager to read, help highlight your experience and accomplishments, and in general help make your security guard cover letter stand out amongst other applicants.
Here are 25 great action verbs suitable for a security guard:
Analyzed
Acted
Check
Conduct
Consulted
Developed
Evaluated
Enforced
Facilitate
Inspect
Identify
Investigate
Managed
Monitor
Maintain
Mentor
Organize
Operate
Patrol
Report
Raised
Supervised
Safeguard
Served
Trained
Additionally, here’s an example of how to properly use action verbs on your security guard cover letter:
I’m currently employed with Carter-William Hospital as the Senior Security Guard, where I’m responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and ensuring the safety of a 400+ room hospital compound. I’ve successfully managed the scheduling for my security team, leading to an average annual payroll savings of $6000, as well as mentoring and providing proper defense training.
3. Highlight in-demand security guard skills
No matter what sector of the security industry you work in, whether private, government, residential, or corporate, you’ll likely have similar security guard experience and skills that you’ve gained along the way that employers will want to see highlighted in your cover letter.
Security guards need to be proficient in a number of hard skills to perform their jobs, such as having the proper defense and weapons training to protect people and property, and having the right technical skills to use computer surveillance systems to monitor potential security threats.
However, security guards also need great soft skills and personality traits, such as having excellent attention-to-detail, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
Here is an example of 15 great hard and soft skills for your security guard cover letter:
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