How to start my security career?

[Fight4Peace&Love!]

I really would like to begin a security career. I am willing fo start entry level but no experience. 33 years old, fit and practice daily. What should be the best route to get started? I wonder if my size at 5'7 and 145 pounds (but solid) will reduce my chances in this career? How can I express my desire vs a mere job when applying for work?

 

[drop bear]

What country?

 

[Fight4Peace&Love!]

US syracuse, ny

 

[donald1]

Size won't matter if you get the job done right, Whether your short or tall the job done correctly will still look similar

Confidence, that will go a long way. As long as you know what you're up against, know what to do and give it your best 100% of the time. Any employer that wants to hire will be looking for a person like that
Best of luck

 

[ballen0351]

What do you mean by security career? There are many types of "security" jobs. First step is to figure out what you want to do since security is kind of broad. Then look for companies in that part of the security field and apply. Or check with NY state police and see what licensing requirements are and start working on them then apply

 

[wingchun100]

First things first: are you talking about security GUARD? If so, you need to get your license first.

 

[jks9199]

I really would like to begin a security career. I am willing fo start entry level but no experience. 33 years old, fit and practice daily. What should be the best route to get started? I wonder if my size at 5'7 and 145 pounds (but solid) will reduce my chances in this career? How can I express my desire vs a mere job when applying for work?

Define "security career." You could mean anything from being a guard somewhere to working the door and bouncing at clubs to executive protection or alarm systems and other physical security measures to management of classified material -- and the starting point for many is quite different.

As a small aside... "I'm willing to start entry level" comes across a little poorly. Of course you're going to start at entry level if you have no experience! I figure it's just a phrasing error, and that you're asking about how to find those entry level positions... but if I read that in an applicant's cover letter -- it'd bump me into a more critical take on it, and I'd start looking for other issues.

 

[Transk53]

The little (no personal offence) guy thing, no problem, work the clubs.

 

[wingchun100]

Since you are in Syracuse, NY...check this out.

NYS Division of Licensing Services

 

[Xue Sheng]

First things first: are you talking about security GUARD? If so, you need to get your license first.

Since you are in Syracuse, NY...check this out.

NYS Division of Licensing Services

Exactly, in NYS there are many things that fall under the title of security which you need to go to NYS training to get a certification to get the job.

There is also more than one level of "security" in NYS "Security Guard" and "Security Officer" and the officer generally has more authority and responsibility.

What do you mean by security career?

And that is a very good question in NYS

 

[Mad_Dog]

Hey, bro, glad you're interested in the field of security. As a longtime bouncer I feel qualified to throw in my two cents.

First off, what has me concerned is "my size at 5'7 and 145 pounds". Seriously, you need to hit the iron if you want to be a player in this game. Only the strong will survive, the weak will get chewed up and spat out. encroach on your space, if you feel me.

Second, you got to be able to throw down anywhere, anytime, for any reason. You so much as give the slightest whiff of weakness and that's all she wrote, you feel me?

If you've got any questions feel free to pm me.

Deuces.

 

[RowdyAz]

You don't even need to train martial arts. Good customer service will be your ticket to success. In a worst case scenario your fight / martial arts training will help in the heat of the moment but will be used against you in court. Beware of cctv and witnesses

 

[K50Marine]

Have you thought of just applying to be a police officer or a prison guard? Better pay and benefits.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Have you thought of just applying to be a police officer or a prison guard? Better pay and benefits.

Can't just apply in NYS, it is a civil service testing process

Written test
Agility testing
Doctor's physical
and possibly Psych exam

At State level the physical requirements (vision/health) make it a bit harder

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Sorry I did not see this thread until now. To start a security career, it generally helps to have experience, and not of the private security type. Consider the military. Especially the Marines. If you can become an Embassy Guard, you will find civilian doors will open for you later. Not everyone can do it, which is kind of why these sorts of people tend to do well in the private sector.

 

[Ranger28634]

I have been in the security business for several years doing everything form large events, bouncing, hotels, protecting cast deposits, clinc security, construction sites and courthouse security. I have no military or law enforcement background. I found the most reputable certification school, did well and asked the instructor for recommendations. He suggested a company and allowed me to use him as a reference. I also included my martial arts background on my application. I got my first boring assignment, did it enthusiastically and professionally. Within a year I had better assignments and better pay.

I chose security over law enforcement or corrections because of the variety a flexibility.

Good luck!

 

[Justin Chang]

I am a Security Guard in Rochester, NY and I work for Securitas USA. If you apply with them they will give you all the courses and training you need free of charge. You will still need to provide 2 money orders which will cost a little over $130 or so. If hired, You would go in for 3 days of training (8 hour pre-assignment class and the other two days make up your 16 hour on the job training class) and get your fingerprints taken, ater those 3 days you would either start off as a flex Guard (filling in and trainign at various different client sites) or you will start whatever post you accepted in your interview.

If you choose not to go with Securitas (or another security company who offers the training themselves) you may get your license on your own however you will need to find a school that offers the 8 hour pre-assignment class (usually they run about $70). You would still need to get your fingerprints taken and pay the 2 money orders. Once you receive your license then you can apply for work. After you obtain a job you will need to take the 16 hour course someplace.

Note: If you go through a company that does their own training like Securitas you can work right a way. If you apply for your license on your own you will have to wait for your license to arrive before you can start working which can take 1-3 months.

I hope this helps.

 

[Justin Chang]

Hey, bro, glad you're interested in the field of security. As a longtime bouncer I feel qualified to throw in my two cents.

First off, what has me concerned is "my size at 5'7 and 145 pounds". Seriously, you need to hit the iron if you want to be a player in this game. Only the strong will survive, the weak will get chewed up and spat out. encroach on your space, if you feel me.

Second, you got to be able to throw down anywhere, anytime, for any reason. You so much as give the slightest whiff of weakness and that's all she wrote, you feel me?

If you've got any questions feel free to pm me.

Deuces.

Unless you plan on becoming a bouncer this advice is completely wrong, and I would wager even if you are trying to become a bouncer it is mostly wrong as well.

Let me start by saying each State is different and this only pertains to NYS.

99.99% of places you will work as a Security Guard in NYS are completely "hand-off" that is you cannot place your hands on anyone EXCEPT to defend yourself. Even some bouncers are not permitted by the establishment they work at to touch or physically escort people out. Many of the things you will see bouncers do is not actually legal and luckily for them the police generally look the other way or the drunkard they kciked out doesn't know their legal rights or remember what even happened.

90% of Security now a days is customer service. They want you to be a visual deterrant to crime. The catch phrase for security is to "observe and report". Even though it is legal to do so most security will never arrest anyone in their entire career. With people being so sue happy most clients will not allow you to arrest or detain anyone.

Your size will only come into play if you are trying to be a bouncer, otherwise you are fine.

Just my two cents.

 

[Tgace]

If your State has a security certification requirement I would start by getting that.

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[Tgace]

US syracuse, ny

Since you're a fellow NY'er...NYS does have a "guard card" certification to work security jobs in the state.

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