10 Security Interview Questions & Answers – Preparation

There are several things you can do to prepare for a security guard job interview. First, you need to know how to conduct yourself during the process. You should be able to identify the purpose of this stage of the recruitment tasks, and be able to present yourself in a positive manner that makes you appear to be the best candidate for the job. You should also know how to answer questions, and be able to communicate your strengths and weaknesses. Finally, you should be able to answer questions about the company and the position.

The most important thing is to be yourself. For many people, it’s easier to try to conform to the preconceived notion of what a security professional should act like than it is to be open and honest about who you are and what you bring to the table. Security interviews are often stressful and not everyone feels comfortable under those circumstances, but your personality is exactly what every employer is looking to find in every candidate.

The second most important thing is to have an understanding of what the role actually entails. It’s difficult to be yourself when you don’t know what the job is. Have a clear understanding of the work and be able to articulate it. Always read the job description carefully and familiarise yourself with the wording and tone of the document. This is your only clue as to what the person recruiting is like and what they are looking for.

What to Write in a Security Guard Job Application

Write a clear answer to the questions asked in your written application. The job description and person specification should provide you with all the clues you need to get started. The questions in the application are not trick questions, they are designed so that the HR department can whittle down the list of applicants to the best person. It is your job to show human resources that you are the right employee for the job.

Obviously, we can’t write the application for you, but in the free writing section you should aim to convey something like the following words.

What to say in a security guard job interview or application:

I am a motivated and dedicated individual with a strong work ethic and a great sense of integrity. I am highly skilled in the use of common hand tools and I am knowledgeable of the latest equipment. I am able to handle any situation that arises, and I am willing to take on any challenge. I would love to have the opportunity to work for your company.

You may wish to name the company in question at the end and tailor the response to fit the watchman job application. 

Common Security Interview Questions

The same information applies as above. You need to modify these answers to suit your circumstances and the type of role you are applying for. Interviewers will have seen lots of applicants and the way you answer these questions is really make or break during an interview.

1. Why do you want this job?

This question is the most frequently asked in any interview. Obviously this job is for a watchman guard role and you need to answer with something relevant to the field.

I want this role because I want to help people and give back to the community. I’ve always been interested in the field and my qualifications reflect my experience and expertise in this area. I feel I would be an asset to the company and am eager to become part of the team.

2. Could you list the main duties of a security guard?

Here, the interviewer wants to test your knowledge of the job. They want to see how competent you are by assessing whether or not you actually read the job description and how much attention you paid to what they wrote.

Keeping the other staff and customers or visitors safe from any harm from an external source. You must be prepared for any eventuality or outcome. Usually, this will be protection from criminals. During a time of crisis the watchman is the point of contact and people will look to the person in this role at uncertain times. They will also be responsible for removing unwanted and aggressive citizens from the building or property.

3. What experience do you have in a security role?

Here it is not necessarily how long you worked in a place, it about how much you know. For example, if you have only had a brief experience of working in a role like this, then you should play to your strengths and make the most of it. You should explain to the interviewer how much you learned and how valuable that experience was for preparing you for this current role. An example answer could be:

My last role was in a personal security position and that taught me a great deal of valuable experience about the industry. I feel I am now really well prepared for this job as there are many similarities between what I had to do for my previous company. 

4. How would you cope with a 24-hour shift?

This job can be physically demanding and can be tough when you are faced with long shifts. It is not unheard of for a person in this job to have to work for a forty-eight hour shift, especially in personal security. Don’t be caught out by this question and be prepared for working long hours. 

I have lots of experience working long shifts and have regularly had to undertake 24-hour shifts when needed. I have handled these well and that was valuable experience of how to pace myself to last through these long hours with my concentration at full working capacity. 

5. What are your thoughts towards carrying a weapon?

This is a key job interview question for a security professional. The employer does not want to put someone in this role who is irresponsible or comes across as impulsive. They want someone calm and methodical who will not react on the spur of the moment. So be prepared for this question when it comes up. Employers don’t want someone who will use their weapon as a threat.

I don’t have any qualms about carrying weapons in my line of work. I have experience in this field so I’m prepared for what the role requires of me.

6. Do you keep in good shape?

You may have an image in your head of security personnel and what they look like most of the time these people in these roles can be a tad overweight however employers preferred to recruit somebody who is in good physical shape and keeps themselves fit. The interviewer will look at your condition as well as question you about your fitness regime when you are in the interview. So here you won’t want to provide an answer that satisfies these requirements. Obviously, you will need to tailor this to your own experiences.

I regularly keep myself fit and active – I believe that is important in this role. I take daily exercise and participate in strength training. I run twice a week and play football at least once a month. 

7. Do you work well with others and consider yourself a team player?

Here, the interviewer wants to access your ability and willingness to work with colleagues. You want to avoid showing any 

sign that you are a “lone wolf”. It is quite common for security guards to work together as a pair and even in groups, especially at event management.

I have a strong level of communication and am skilled in reading the social cues and body language of others. I work well as a team and quickly fall into place as part of a group dynamic. I appreciate the give and take involved in working in a group of people and definitely consider myself a team player.

8. What strategy would you use to deal with an agitated person?

This is a key part of this job. You need to be able to handle people who are angry and may even be abusive towards your fellow staff and customers. The way you handle the situation will be important to your future potential employers they want to employ someone who is calm level-headed and will not flare up during a tense situation.

I feel like I am great at handling conflict. I have dealt with a great number of situations calmly and stayed focused on the task at hand. I am not phased by aggressive people I make these types of people quite often and know how to handle them.

9. Do you have any questions for us?

This is an important any job interview when the interviewer has finished asking you the key questions for the role they will also ask you at the end whether you have any questions with them. It is very important that you do not answer simply “no”. This is where a lot of candidates will fail but not you because you will have an answer repaired after you’ve read this information.

Here are some example questions you can ask your interviewer during the process:

• When will I expect to hear from you?
• How many candidates am I up against?
• Do you have any particular requirements for me if I was to be selected for this role? 

10. Why do you think we should hire you?

This is another important question and your answer to it will be crucial to your success. This is the closest thing to the why do you want to be a security guard answer. Here is your chance to sell yourself and your skills. mention any relevant experience you have in your previous roles and really answer the question directly and with a concise answer. Why should they hire you? You should think about this answer before you step into the interview room. This question usually stumps candidates and it may set you apart from the competition if you get this right and give it some forward thought.

I feel I am the perfect candidate for this job. I have reviewed the job description and person specification carefully and can tell that I meet the requirements specifically.

I have always enjoyed my job in previous work experiences and know that I will be a great fit for this team. I am very positive and enthusiastic about working for this company and would be delighted if you would appoint me to this position. 

What should you wear to a job interview?

This isn’t the sort of job you have to dress up for unless you were working in a high-end or luxury area where you would be expected to wear formal attire. If the job requires you to wear a uniform then choose clothing that is similar. So it may pay off to go and check out the premises and see what the other guards wear in advance. Wear something that looks similar and make sure it is smart enough for the situation 

In conclusion

When interviewing for a security guard job the questions are never usually difficult. With the above preparation, you should be able to put together a very good response that should get you the job you want. The role of a member of security staff is often one that not many people apply for. The candidates that do apply are usually not highly qualified, so with relevant experience, you should easily shine during the recruitment process.