Private Guard, Security Guard
Security Supervisor, Head of Security
As a Security Officer, I protect and ensure the safety of hotel guests, employees and the property inside the hotel. As you can imagine, my job carries with it a lot of responsibility, and I have to be able to think and act quickly! Read on to get to know more about my work in security...
- Ensure the safety of guests, employess and other hotel visitors
- Maintain the security of hotel property and other objects (such as valuables and cash)
- Guard and protect against damage, violence and theft
- Control who enters and leaves the hotel or particular sections of the hotel
- Patrol on foot the indoor and outdoor areas (such as the pool area) at regular intervals
- Keep my eyes and ears open for unusual things such as suspicious and dangerous behaviour
- Watch out for parking, smoking or drinking violations
- Check lights, windows, doors, stairs and gates
- Guard certain places when there is a large group of people (such as the hotel lobby / reception area when large groups of guests arrive)
- Respond quickly to complaints and calls of help
- Answer queries asked by guests and visitors (such as giving directions)
- Answer the telephone
- Call the police or others (such as the Civil Protection Department) in cases of emergencies
- Detain any persons who are caught doing illegal activities (such as stealing or vandalising)
- If a crime is committed, I may be asked to testify in court
- Administrative duties such as keeping records (for example of how many people entered the building) and writing security reports (in which I write about any incidents that occured during my shift)
- Communication skills
- Team working skills
- Decision making skills
- Problem solving skills
- Customer service skills
- Multi-tasking skills
- An assertive and confident attitude
- A polite, helpful and patient manner
- A responisble, trusthworthy, mature and fair way of doing things
- Physical fitness and stamina (it can get rather tiring since most of the time I am standing and walking around)
- An eye for detail
- The ability to think and act quickly
- The ability to keep calm in an emergency or tense situations
- Knowledge of security procedures
- Knowledge of health and safety procedures
- Knowledge of laws and legislation
- Knowledge of alarm systems and other equipment such as security cameras and CCTV (which means closed circuit TV)
- The willingness to work night shifts and also during the weekend
- Knowledge of first aid
- Fluency in foreign languages
- Computer skills
- Leadership skills
If you want to become a Security Officer like me, first of all you have to be aged 18 years (or over) and have a clean police conduct. To start off your career, you need to take a Private Guard course and renew your licence every year (by taking a refresher course). Courses include the following:
- Private Guard Course (ETC)
- Private Guard Refresher Course (ETC)