14 Security Guard Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various security guard interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Security Guard Interview Questions
- What experience do you have as a security guard?
- What are some of the most challenging situations you have faced while working as a security guard?
- How do you stay alert and focused while on duty?
- What would you do if you witnessed a crime taking place?
- How would you handle a situation if you were confronted by an aggressive individual?
- What is your policy on the use of force?
- What are some of the safety procedures you are familiar with?
- What are some of the most common security risks that you are aware of?
- How do you deal with difficult or uncooperative people?
- What are some of the things you look out for when conducting patrols?
- How would you deal with a fire emergency?
- What are some of the emergency procedures you are familiar with?
- What are some of your basic first aid skills?
- How familiar are you with security equipment and technology?
What experience do you have as a security guard?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the level of experience the security guard has in order to determine if they are a good fit for the position. It is important to ask this question because it allows the interviewer to get a better understanding of the security guard's qualifications.
Example: “I have worked as a security guard for over 10 years. I have experience in both commercial and residential settings. I am familiar with all aspects of security, including monitoring CCTV, patrolling premises, and responding to incidents. I am a highly observant and proactive individual, and I have a strong commitment to keeping people and property safe.”
What are some of the most challenging situations you have faced while working as a security guard?
An interviewer might ask "What are some of the most challenging situations you have faced while working as a security guard?" to get a sense of the applicant's experience and expertise in handling difficult situations. It is important to be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to stay calm and collected in high-pressure situations, and that you have the skills to defuse potentially dangerous situations.
Example: “Some of the most challenging situations I have faced while working as a security guard include responding to active shooter situations, diffusing tense situations between guests or employees, and investigating potential security breaches. In each of these cases, it is important to remain calm and level-headed in order to best resolve the situation.”
How do you stay alert and focused while on duty?
An interviewer may ask this question to a security guard to gauge their ability to stay vigilant while on the job. It is important for security guards to be able to stay alert and focused while on duty in order to identify potential threats and protect the property or people they are guarding.
Example: “There are a few things that I do in order to stay alert and focused while on duty. First, I make sure to get a good night's sleep before my shift. Second, I eat healthy foods and avoid sugary snacks or drinks that can make me feel sluggish. Third, I stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout my shift. Finally, I take breaks when needed and make sure to move around regularly to keep my energy up.”
What would you do if you witnessed a crime taking place?
An interviewer may ask this question to a security guard to test their ability to stay calm in a potentially dangerous situation and to gauge their ability to take appropriate action. It is important for security guards to be able to remain calm in the face of danger and to take quick and decisive action in order to protect lives and property.
Example: “If I witnessed a crime taking place, I would immediately call the police and provide them with as much information as possible about the situation. I would also try to stay on the scene until the police arrived, if it was safe to do so.”
How would you handle a situation if you were confronted by an aggressive individual?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the security guard's ability to handle difficult situations. It is important for the security guard to be able to stay calm and level-headed in the face of aggression, as this will help defuse the situation and keep everyone safe.
Example: “If I were confronted by an aggressive individual, I would first attempt to de-escalate the situation by calmly talking to the individual and trying to reason with them. If that didn't work, I would then call for backup and try to contain the individual until help arrived.”
What is your policy on the use of force?
There are a variety of reasons why an interviewer might ask a security guard about their policy on the use of force. One reason is to gauge the guard's level of experience and understanding of the use of force. It is important for security guards to have a clear understanding of when and how they can use force, as it is a potentially dangerous tool. Additionally, the interviewer may be looking for signs that the security guard is capable of making sound decisions under pressure. The ability to make quick and level-headed decisions is crucial for security guards, as they often have to deal with potentially volatile situations.
Example: “Our policy on the use of force is that it is only to be used as a last resort, and only when absolutely necessary. We train our security guards to de-escalate situations whenever possible, and to only use force as a last resort. We also have a strict policy against using excessive force, and our security guards are held to a high standard in this regard.”
What are some of the safety procedures you are familiar with?
An interviewer would ask a security guard about safety procedures to get a sense of how familiar the guard is with safety protocol and whether they would be able to keep people safe in an emergency situation. It is important for security guards to be familiar with safety procedures so that they can act quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.
Example: “There are many safety procedures that security guards are familiar with, but some of the most common ones include:
-Making sure all doors and windows are secure
-Conducting regular patrols
-Checking ID before allowing entry to a building or area
-Monitoring CCTV cameras
-Responding to alarms
-Investigating suspicious activity
-Writing reports
-Providing first aid”
What are some of the most common security risks that you are aware of?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a security guard about common security risks. One reason is to gauge the guard's level of knowledge and experience. If the guard is unable to name any risks, it may be an indication that they are not well-versed in security protocols. Additionally, the interviewer may be looking for specific examples of how the guard has handled security risks in the past. This question can give the interviewer insight into the guard's problem-solving abilities and their general approach to security. Finally, the interviewer may simply be trying to start a conversation about security risks and protocols in general. This question can help to establish a baseline level of knowledge and understanding between the interviewer and the guard.
Example: “There are many potential security risks that security guards should be aware of, including:
• unauthorized access to buildings or areas
• theft
• vandalism
• assault
• terrorism
To help mitigate these risks, security guards should be trained in effective security protocols and procedures.”
How do you deal with difficult or uncooperative people?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a security guard. First, it is important for security guards to be able to deal with difficult or uncooperative people. This is because they may have to deal with these types of people on a daily basis. Second, this question allows the interviewer to see how the security guard deals with difficult situations. This is important because it shows how the security guard would handle a difficult situation if they were to encounter one. Finally, this question allows the interviewer to get to know the security guard on a personal level. This is important because it allows the interviewer to see if the security guard is someone who they would want to work with.
Example: “There are a few different ways to deal with difficult or uncooperative people. The first is to try and reason with them. This can be done by explaining why you need them to cooperate, and what the consequences will be if they don't. If this doesn't work, you can try using a more forceful approach. This could involve raising your voice, or even physically restraining the person if necessary. In some cases, it may be best to just walk away and leave the person to their own devices.”
What are some of the things you look out for when conducting patrols?
One of the things that security guards look out for when conducting patrols is people who are loitering. Loitering is when someone is hanging around a place without a specific purpose. It can be a sign that someone is up to no good. Security guards also look for any suspicious activity. This could be something like a person trying to break into a car or a group of people loitering near a bank.
Example: “When conducting patrols, security guards look out for anything that seems out of the ordinary or suspicious. This includes people loitering in areas that they should not be, vehicles parked in strange or illegal places, and any signs of forced entry into buildings or other structures. They also keep an eye out for environmental hazards, such as fires, gas leaks, and flooding.”
How would you deal with a fire emergency?
An interviewer would ask "How would you deal with a fire emergency?" to a security guard to gauge their ability to handle an emergency situation. This is important because in the event of a fire, the security guard would need to be able to quickly and efficiently evacuate the building.
Example: “If I were to discover a fire, my first priority would be to evacuate any and all individuals from the immediate area. Once everyone was safely away from the fire, I would then attempt to extinguish the fire if it were small enough and safe to do so. If the fire was too large or dangerous to extinguish, I would then focus on containing the fire by closing any doors or windows leading into the room where the fire was burning. Once the fire was contained, I would then call the appropriate emergency services.”
What are some of the emergency procedures you are familiar with?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask a security guard about emergency procedures. First, it is important for security guards to be familiar with emergency procedures in case they need to use them. Second, it shows that the security guard is prepared and willing to take action in an emergency situation. Third, it demonstrates the security guard's ability to think quickly and take appropriate action in a potentially dangerous situation. Finally, it gives the interviewer a chance to gauge the security guard's level of training and experience.
Example: “In the event of an emergency, the first thing I would do is assess the situation and determine if it is a true emergency. If it is, I would then call 911 and report the emergency. I would also notify my supervisor so they are aware of the situation. After that, I would follow any specific procedures that are in place for that particular emergency.”
What are some of your basic first aid skills?
Some of the basic first aid skills that a security guard should have are CPR, AED use, and first aid for bleeding. These skills are important because they can help save a life in an emergency situation.
Example: “Some of my basic first aid skills include being able to assess a situation and identify any potential hazards, being able to provide CPR if necessary, and having a basic knowledge of first aid procedures.”
How familiar are you with security equipment and technology?
An interviewer would ask "How familiar are you with security equipment and technology?" to a/an Security Guard to gauge their knowledge of the tools available to them to do their job. It is important for the interviewer to know how much experience the security guard has with the equipment so that they can determine if they are able to perform their duties effectively.
Example: “I am very familiar with security equipment and technology. I have worked with various security systems and have gained a lot of experience in using them. I am also familiar with the latest security technologies and can easily adapt to new systems.”