New year, new you?
If 2024 is the year you’d like to make a change in your career, then you should consider the security industry!
If you’re based in Auckland and you’re wondering how to land a security guard job, then listen up! At Frontline Security, we employ more than 100 security guards within Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington. We know what it takes to do an exceptional job as a security guard, and we want to help you learn how.
How Do I Get A Security Guard Job in Auckland?
While some industries have very clear paths in terms of study and experience, and the process of preparing for your dream position may take years, security guard jobs don’t normally require that, and more often recruiters value personality and passion for doing a great job above anything else!
If you’re new to the security industry, and you’re eager to get your foot in the door, don’t worry! There are plenty of security jobs out there that could be perfect for you. But how can you land one?
Find the right security company
When looking for a security guard job, it’s not just about what you can bring to the job, it’s also about finding the company that is the right fit for you.
You might like to search for jobs on the likes of Seek or TradeMe Jobs; you may know someone who works for a company looking for guards who could put your name forward; and it’s a good idea to research the companies in your area, see which ones appeal to you, and check whether they have any jobs going on their website.
Wherever you find the security job you’d like to apply for, carefully read over the company’s individual hiring requirements to ensure you’d be the perfect match.
Once you know where you’ll be applying, and what they value in their employees, you can prepare your CV and cover letter to suit. Some companies may prefer for you to give them a call, so it’s best to check with your chosen security company to confirm how they’d like to receive your application.
Training or previous experience
As a general rule, you must be over the age of 18 to get a job as a security guard. You don’t have to have prior experience as a security guard to work the job, but it might help.
If you haven’t worked in security before, you can draw on your prior experience and highlight transferable skills that would be relevant to the security guard job. If you’ve had security training, be sure to let the recruiter know.
Tick all the right boxes
It is crucial that you can pass a police background check before you can get a job as a security guard. Having a clean criminal record and being able to pass a background check helps to give the people whose assets you protect peace of mind.
You’ll also need a Certificate of Approval, or COA for short. A COA is the security licence required to work a security guard job in New Zealand. Overseen by the Ministry of Justice and the PSPLA (Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority), COAs set the standard for all crowd controllers, personal guards, and property guards, and require applicants to undertake mandatory training in security and conflict management.
It might seem like a hurdle to attain a COA, but it’ll be incredibly valuable in your security career. Plus, if you’ve already completed the National Certificate in Security (Level 2, 3 or 4), then some of the standards you’ve already completed will count towards your COA!
COAs can be completed online and it is also possible to apply for a temporary, three-month, COA while you train, if you have found a company that is willing to hire you while you attain your COA. There is a fee to apply for a COA, but some companies looking to hire security guards may help you pay for it.
The majority of security guard jobs will require that you hold a full class 1 licence too.
Make your application stand out
Security guards are often the first responders in the event of an emergency so, it’s great if you already have a current first-aid certificate, fire safety training, or similar emergency response experience – be sure to mention it on your application!
Getting a security guard job in New Zealand is about more than the qualifications you have and the experience you’ve gained, it’s also about who you are as a person.
At Frontline Security, we look for motivated and reliable people to help us to provide our security services. Specifically, we look for people who are excellent communicators (because customer service and conflict resolution are essential parts of the job), and we also look for people who are physically fit. We don’t expect you to be running ultramarathons, or Olympic weightlifting, but security guard jobs often involve working shifts and being on your feet all day which can be hard on your body, so you’ve got to be fit enough to handle that.
We require all of our team members to be professional at all times, because they are the face of our company and often the face of our client’s companies. We expect our security guards to be resourceful, because they are often faced with difficult situations that must be quickly resolved, and most importantly, our guards must act with integrity at all times.
Are you ready to be a security guard?
Have you got what it takes to be a security guard?
If you have previous experience or an eagerness to learn, hold a COA, or are working towards getting one, and you want to help protect people’s most valuable assets, then you might make an excellent security guard at Frontline Security and we’d like to hear from you!
Working as a security guard in New Zealand is a rewarding career and we are always keen to hear from reliable security guards around Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington. So, if you’re itching for a change, make 2024 your year and apply today – we’ll be in touch with you soon.