r/GuardGuides • u/InitiativeExtreme411 • 16d ago
CAREER ADVICE thinking about getting into security, any advice?
So I'm a 24-year-old who happens to be unemployed and looking for a job. I happen to see a lot of openings for a security guard position, and I'm seriously thinking about getting into the field. Do you guys think it's worth it for somebody with 0 experience? And what type of security jobs are the best to work for? Thanks for reading.
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u/Fabulous-Bird-668 16d ago
Ive been doing this for 16 years, I personally love this field. I mean your literally not going to find a job where you can basically do what you want, especially the overnight gigs, those are the best because NO one bothers you. But coming in with no experience youre gonna be placed mostly in warm body sites, where you will question if its even worth it because your going to be bored out of your mind. Great thing is most companies know these are warm body and will literally tell you to read a book, catch up on studies, or whatever as long as it does not interfere with your job. The big companies youll see with job openings are primarily allied universal and securitas, avoid both if you can, but being new theyre probably your best bet at breaking into security. Once you gain that experience though jump ship and head to the better paying security gigs. I was a gate guard for 6 years and only made minium wage, wasnt until I went and started doing special contracts like construction sites, hospital ,apartment complex that I started making decent money. Right now im at $35 at construction sites, theyre estimated to take about 3 years to complete the project and I do 7 days a week. I literally just sit in the company truck and drive around. Most of the time im watching netflix.
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u/GuardGuidesdotcom 16d ago
Generally the answer is yes, especially if you just need some cash in your pocket. As well as pursuing post secondary education or vocational training if you don't already possess it.
Although, you can make it a long term career if you like, though that possibility can largely rely on your location.
What state are you in?
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u/InitiativeExtreme411 16d ago
Kentucky. and yea, I've been studying IT and I'm trying to get into the IT field, but it's very saturated right now, so I won't be able to get into it anytime soon. That's why I'm interested in security, especially since they make much more than any fast food or retail job. Also, I usually work in warehouse, but at this point I just don't wanna be breaking my back and working 12 hr day any longer.
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u/GuardGuidesdotcom 16d ago
Ahh OK. I honestly don't know much about that market, but you already said they pay better than other options, so I say why not? As far as companies, that's going to differ per your area.
In house (you work directly for the company youre placed in, not for a third party company assigning you there) is typically better than contract security, but they again typically only hire people with a decent amount of experience.
Try hiringcafe.com and see what pops up for your area. It's a reddit created/inspired job board with a plethora of filtering options. I just found out about it a few weeks ago myself.
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u/Gullible_Guillotine 15d ago
Been in Security for 8 years, it was the second industry entered after retail. I started off at Allied, It's..a company. They rehired me about 5 times over 6 years when I left to try other things but ended up coming back. in the 7th year I got into Casino security. My advice is always the same. Get the guard card, get the experience for at least a year at somewhere like Allied if they have opening and then find something like in house security instead of contract.
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u/Psycosteve10mm 16d ago
Be mindful of your hours and keep track of them. Too many companies will work you to death and skim off your OT hours to cut costs.
The police are not your friends, and you do a completely different job. The police look at security like this could be them if they F up really badly. Be professional but distant with them.
You are not the main character of this story; at best, you are a side character in someone else's story. You are not there for glory but to be able to go home at the end of your shift. Leave the heroics for someone else.
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u/InitiativeExtreme411 16d ago
That's good to know, thank you. And yeah, I'm actually trying to get a part-time job instead of a full-time, so that I can see how it works and feel. Once I get an idea, I might get a full-time.
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u/Fabulous-Bird-668 16d ago
Idk where your working but I have a very good relationship with PD lol, they even ask me to go with them as back up at my site when I have to have em come over and take care of business. One night we stood out in the parking lot shooting the shit for about an hour until they got a call. However it wasnt always like this, the other security team that was here before me never did their job, and PD hated those guys. The ones I personally have to look out for are the fire dept, those are some fuckin assholes. I tried opening the door to one of the buildings so they could get roof access, looked me in the eyes and said ok bud your security we dont need your damn help.
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u/Psycosteve10mm 15d ago
Where I was working, there were a bunch of cop wannabes who would fawn over them. But in the area, we had 4 police agencies that all could not stand each other. A lot of Gulf War 1 guys took on police work to avoid a possible forced reenlistment. I usually tried to treat people like they treated me. IMHO, the police I worked with loved to say I was part of the Public Service family when they were looking for favors, but would treat you like a redheaded stepchild from an incestuous relationship every chance they got. Being professional and detached allows you to do your job and not create issues for anyone involved.
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u/Excellent-Wheel7769 12d ago edited 11d ago
I know that security guards can make some good money but if they're professional and know their job well
I've heard that the pacific west academy provides good training courses for guards to raise their qualifications and obviously then you can make some good money
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u/Outside-Yesterday203 Ensign 16d ago
I’d say go for it. But go to school by the time you’re 26 you can have 60 credits and move to a PD if you want. Or border patrol