Security Officer Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a security officer provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving responding to emergencies and monitoring CCTV footage. If you want to stand out with your security officer applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a security officer resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your security officer applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your security officer resume.
Key sections for a security officer resume
The key sections to include in a security officer resume are similar to those for any role or profession. For junior candidates with little work experience, other sections of the resume take on more prominence and might be placed before the work experience section. These could include education, skills, projects, hobbies and volunteer work.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header with Contact Details
In your security officer resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Steven Hernandez
steven.hernandez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
112½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA
linkedin․com/in/steven–hernandez123
Resume Profile
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in security officer roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of what to include in your security officer resume summary.
Good example:
Dedicated Security Officer with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and extensive experience as a Security Specialist. Proven track record in implementing effective security protocols, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring the safety and security of personnel and property. Skilled in crisis management, surveillance systems, and incident response. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a commitment to maintaining high standards of security and compliance
Bad example:
Security professional with some background in criminal justice and experience in security roles. Worked on setting up security measures and checking for risks. Involved in keeping people and places safe. Familiar with handling tough situations, using security equipment, and dealing with incidents. Have some skills in analyzing problems and ensuring security standards are met
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Skills
The skills section of a security officer resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include access control management, conflict resolution skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for security officer positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
How to list hard skills on your security officer resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a security officer. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in security officer roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective security officer resume hard skills list looks like.
- Surveillance system operation
- CCTV monitoring experience
- Access control management
Showcasing your best soft skills
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a security officer resume.
- Attention to detail
- Conflict resolution skills
- Effective communication
Education and Qualifications
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a security officer.
If you're applying for security officer positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your access control management or CCTV monitoring experience.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2017 - 2020
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a security officer. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for a security officer resume below:
- CISSP Certification, 2022
- CompTIA Security+, 2022
- CEH Certification, 2022
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a security officer. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Security Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Sentinel Guard Services, Los Angeles
- Implemented advanced security protocols, reducing data breaches by 35% and enhancing system resilience
- Conducted comprehensive security audits, identifying and mitigating 98% of vulnerabilities
- Developed and led cybersecurity training, increasing staff awareness and compliance by 50%
Bad example:
Security Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Sentinel Guard Services, Los Angeles
- Improved security measures, enhancing system safety and reducing risks
- Conducted audits to identify and address security issues
- Led training sessions to boost staff knowledge on security protocols
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a security officer resume. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Hobbies
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world security officer experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant security officer work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
Standard security officer resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References will be available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a security officer resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Monitor
- Patrol
- Inspect
- Respond
- Enforce
- Investigate
- Secure
- Prevent
- Report
- Observe
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample security officer resume
The security officer resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
112½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA
•
steven.hernandez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/steven–hernandez123
Dedicated and vigilant Security Officer with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and extensive experience as a Security Specialist. Proficient in risk assessment, threat mitigation, and incident response. Strong analytical skills and a proven track record in maintaining safety and security standards. Exceptional ability to collaborate with law enforcement and emergency response teams to ensure the protection of assets and personnel
Security Specialist
2020
-2022
Sentinel Secure Solutions (Omaha)
- Successfully implemented a multi-layered security framework, reducing security incidents by 40% within the first year
- Led a team in achieving ISO 27001 certification, enhancing the organization's data protection and compliance standards
- Developed and executed a comprehensive incident response plan, minimizing downtime and mitigating potential data breaches
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
2017
-2020
Boston University (Boston, MA)
Surveillance system operation
CCTV monitoring experience
Access control management
Attention to detail
Conflict resolution skills
Effective communication
CISSP Certification
CompTIA Security+
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a security officer resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Kick off your security officer resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Include key skills throughout your resume that reflect the job description, and include a dedicated skills section.
- Include any relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role, for maximum readability.
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in security officer jobs (e.g. 'secure', 'prevent', 'report').
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your security officer resume more difficult to read.
- Don't include any personal details, such as a photo, your age or marital status. These can create unwanted bias in the recruitment process.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When drafting your security officer resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for a security officer resume
Accompanying your resume for security officer applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to security officer roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
For an experienced security officer application, the objective of your resume is to showcase the many achievements in your career to date. As an experienced candidate, your security officer resume might include a work experience section that goes back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years. This will give you the chance to highlight your extensive experience and achievements. Your security officer resume could also include optional sections that demonstrate your experience levels and reputation in your industry. These could include, for example, awards, achievements and successful projects.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your security officer applications. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Entry-Level Security Officer
- Experienced Security Professional for Hire
- Senior Security Operations Specialist
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for your security officer resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
Impress potential employers with your resume
Follow step-by-step professional guidance to create a polished resume in minutes.