The preeminent characteristic of a security guard is the character of the individual. Security guards must be honest and have a high standard of integrity because their employers place a great amount of trust in them. In many cases, employers will run a background check and search criminal records to ensure that you have previously demonstrated the character they seek in a security guard.
You should also recognize the difficulties of work as a security guard. Security is often a 24/365 job, which means that someone on your security team will have to work throughout the night and on holidays. Whether it is sunny, rainy, snowy, or windy, you have to work. You may suffer through long hours of boredom during the night and/or you might be on your feet for hours at a time. Most importantly, you may have dangerous interactions with thieves and vandals, and you may face natural dangers such as fires.
The first step to becoming a security guard, however, is to contact either a private company or an individual employer to inquire into the specific steps to becoming an employee. Many states require state licensing, so you should contact a security company to find out that information.
In addition, as a prerequisite to state licensing or to beginning work, you may have to complete security training. If you will be driving on the job, you may need driver’s training or a driver’s license. If you will carry a weapon on the job, you may receive weapon use training. It may seem like too much training, but you never know what you will need to know or do as a security guard.