With the abundance of job and recruitment websites, newspaper listings and security officer agencies, access to most areas of security industry employment opportunities can be relatively straightforward. However, actually finding the job you want and beating the competition to get it, is a completely different issue altogether. Following these top 10 tips should make the whole ordeal that little less painful.
1. Your CV should be perfect
Make sure your CV is tailored exactly for the security position you are after. Ensure your key skills are listed. There are plenty of CV writing guides online. Use them. Get friends to check spelling, grammar and readability. Keep it to 2 pages max. No colourful motif's or elaborate fonts. Simple, effective and to the point. All job searches start with the CV. Get it right.
2. Make a list of all the security companies in your area
Go online and research and make a list of all the security companies in your area. Find out the areas of security that they specialize in, and if they prove relevant to you, give them a call. Many will allow you to send your CV and sign up via the Internet. Try to find out which security companies are dealing with upcoming events in your area. If they are busy, they will be looking to sign more people onto their books. Be there when that happens. A little bit of research will put you ahead of other candidates.
3. Sign up to online job sites and recruitment agencies
We all hate this one, as it is time consuming and recruitment agents can be terrible to work with. However, they do prove a way in for many looking for work. Signup to all those that cover the type security work you are looking for. Organise an appointment with the agency and go in to sign up properly. Those that offer online signup vary rarely bother to get back to you. Only once they have met you in person can you ensure that they are actually actively looking for work on your behalf.
Create an email address specifically for job hunting, and get targeted job emails sent to you from the various online sources. Be sure to check everyday, and try to filter out the jobs you want to apply for.
4. Visit your local job centre
Your job centre has hundreds of jobs listed on their internal network. Many government/council security jobs will appear here first. Walk down to your local job centre and get a print out of the relevant security jobs in your area.
Also, organize a meeting with one of their careers advisers, they may be able to help with information on firms that are currently recruiting.
5. Keep Track of your efforts
Keeping track of all your efforts is a full time job within itself. It is also vitally important. Use a simple spreadsheet; enter all the details of agencies you've joined, job sites you've signed up to (keeping track of all login information).
Keep details of all applications, save any covering letters you've written. These can be reshaped for multiple job applications depending on what you need to say.
Be as organized as you can. It will make the process a whole lot less painful.
6. Speak to security officers you meet
Speak to any security operatives that you meet during the day, ask them which firm they found their job through and whether they know if they are recruiting. Some security officers may well hurry you along without a response; others will take the time to answer a couple of quick questions and will be happy to help out a fellow officer. You lose nothing by asking.
7. Use Social Media
Do not be afraid to broadcast to the world that you are job hunting. Post an update on Facebook asking if anyone knows of jobs available, or of anyone who is currently working in the industry that you might be able to speak to. Never underestimate the power of social media for getting a message out there. Through friends of friends your network can be wide reaching.
8. Prepare for your interview
If you get asked for an interview, make sure you research the background of the company. Use this information so you are able to asking relevant questions during the meeting. An employer will always be impressed if you have done your research and come knowing a bit about them.
9. Look good for your interview
First impressions count. Do not take any risks with your personal presentation. During your research, ascertain the company's style. As a security officer you will be expected to look and be professional while on the job. Make sure you project this image when meeting any potential employer.
10. Don't Give Up
And finally, do not give up. Job searching is never easy or fun, and in our current economic climate it is the hardest it has been for a number of years. However, keep at it, if you follow the steps above the right position will be yours before you know it.
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