What Do Security Guards Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Security Guards guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment. They also lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.

Other tasks include:

• Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
• Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
• Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
• Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
• Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
• Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.

We asked Security Guards how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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53% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Security Guards write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences. They inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.

A typical day for a Security Guard will also include:

• Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
• Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
• Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
• Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
• Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.

We asked some Security Guards a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	81% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	71% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	65% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	28% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	47% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Security Guards also warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary. They may also answer alarms and investigate disturbances.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Security Guards Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed. They might also Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.

In addition, they Inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.

To some Security Guards, it is also their responsibility to Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Security Guard, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/security-guards.htm

http://www.dhs.gov/