Security Guard Cover Letter Writing Guideline [+Examples, Templates & Tips]

Security guards protect properties from acts of endangerment, vandalism, or theft. Before turning in your resume for a security guard job, imagine you’re in the position of the hiring manager. How would you find someone who understands the security complexities of the job and industry?

Writing a security guard cover letter and submitting a resume is important for expressing how you can address these kinds of concerns and explaining why your skills and values fit the bill. By doing so, you can make an impactful first impression that not only adds meaning to your resume but can intrigue the hiring manager to read through your application.

In this guide, we will discuss exactly what to include in a security guard cover letter, along with tips and samples for you to ace the process of writing one. 

Unlike static safety measures, such as locks or surveillance cameras, security guards can mitigate risky situations and take action when needed. While the roles and responsibilities of a security guard vary across positions and settings, some common duties include:

• Checking and validating identification 
• Detaining or reporting violators
• Monitoring camera footage 
• Performing medical or self-defense assistance
  

The work settings of security guards span from private residents to commercial buildings and public institutions. When applying for a job as a security guard, you may find positions from all sorts of sectors, such as:

• Airport Security Guard
• Hotel Security Supervisor
• Residential Security Officer
• Mall Security Officer
• Corporate Security Guard
  

If this sounds like a job for you, keep reading to find out more about how to successfully land a job as a security guard.

First of all, let’s start off with a security guard cover letter sample so you can have a hint of what should and should not be included in a cover letter for this position.

Address the hiring manager properly.

Your security guard cover letter should start with a polite greeting to the hiring person. Since security guards are expected to be professional, be careful not to use greetings such as “Hey” or “Hi” in your cover letter, as this may err on being too casual. A suitable form of address would be using “Dear”, followed by the recipient’s honorific and last name (e.g. Dear Mr. Anderson). 

If you search the recipient’s name to no avail, addressing the recipient as “Hiring Manager” or “Hiring Team” would also be appropriate for your security guard cover letter. 

Make sure to include your name and contact details in the letterhead of your security guard cover letter. You could also opt to include them along with the date of writing and the recipient’s contact details before the body of your security guard cover letter. 

Engage the reader with a self-introduction and opening.

In the introduction of your security guard cover letter, briefly state the job you’re applying for, the company’s name and your top relevant skills. To make your introductory paragraph even more engaging, you could refer to your motivations for applying to the security job. These could be experiences from the past or aspirations for the future. The following is an example of a cover letter introduction for a security officer application with no experience:

Outline your skills, qualifications and achievements.

To increase the visibility of your security guard cover letter, include action verbs and quantifiable accounts of your progress in your body paragraphs. By including action verbs (e.g. monitored, coordinated, analyzed, etc.), hiring managers can more easily skim and identify the relevant skills you provide to the security job role. The following is an example of a hospital security supervisor cover letter:

For your security guard cover letter, also think about statistics in terms of what you’ve helped a previous company improve on. Examples of achievements could include:

• Implemented security procedures that reduced shoplifting cases by 10% 
• Monitored personnel entryways and decreased unauthorized entries by 15%
  

When writing a security guard cover letter, make sure to include soft and hard skills to show if you have the personality traits and physical or technical capability for the security guard job. The following are examples of soft and hard skills that security guard cover letters might include:

• Problem-solving and investigative skills
• Strong physique and physical stamina
• Self-defense training
• Ongoing alertness of the surrounding environment
• Flexibility to work night/day shifts and long hours
• Remain professional and ethical
• Operation of security systems
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Judgment skills in de-escalating or escalating situations
• CPR or first-aid certifications

End your security guard cover letter with an invitation.

At the end of your security guard cover letter, politely remind recruiters to read any additional pieces you may have included (e.g. resume, CV) and request a way to discuss your skills and experiences in more detail. This could be an in-person meetup, interview or follow-up call. The following is how a cover letter invitation might appear for an information security officer:

Sign off in a professional manner.

Close off your security guard cover letter with a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely”, followed by your name. Again, similar to how you would avoid casual addresses for your security guard cover letter, refrain from using informal sign-offs such as “Yours Truly” or “Take Care”. 

💡 Research which type of security guard job is advertised in the job post.

Write targeted cover letters for the security guard jobs you apply for by researching the goals and responsibilities of the job. For instance, a mall security guard may require customer service skills in crowded environments, while a personal security guard could prioritize individual safety. Envision yourself as a representative for the company and write in a similar tone and language. Doing research also helps you decide if your values align with a company’s. 

💡 Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Some of the key skills security guard cover letters should include are problem-solving and being able to work under pressure. Before situations escalate, a rational, problem-solving approach is critical in making the appropriate judgment calls. 

To prevent dangerous scenarios from occurring, continuing, or repeating, security guards need problem-solving skills to gather information and formulate solutions. In time-sensitive situations, security guards also need to remain cool-headed, especially when easing crowd panic, limiting the spread of risk, and ensuring safety details aren’t overlooked.

💡 Discuss relevant training, education or transferable skills.

For applicants with little to no professional experience, point out relevant certifications, courses, training or skills in your security guard cover letter. For instance, armed guard positions may have additional requirements (e.g. specific licenses, training, or registration) compared to unarmed guard jobs in order to carry or operate certain equipment.

While security guard jobs may not necessarily require post-secondary degrees, taking courses in criminal justice, cyber security, or medical training could be helpful. You could also look towards transferable skills that may not be technically related to the job, but can be applicable, such as communication, leadership or conflict resolution skills. 

Now that you already know what to write in a cover letter for a security guard position, here’s a ready-to-use template for you:

Conclusion

To make your security guard cover letter stand out, it's important to customize it according to the company and the specific job posting. This can be done by researching the company beforehand. Use action words and figures to make your cover letter more effective. Additionally, be sure to include both soft and hard skills in your cover letter to demonstrate your suitability for the job. Finally, don’t forget to close your letter by inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview.

We hope that this article has helped you to have a better understanding of how to write a killer cover letter. Follow our blog for more career guidance and advice!

— Originally written by Flora Lai —