Security supervisors work with a team of guards and officers to ensure the safety and security of people in their designated premises. They’re responsible for monitoring security protocols and ensuring policies are followed correctly. If you are inclined to be a security supervisor, here is a comprehensive guide to help you make an outstanding resume for your upcoming interview.
First, let’s review the three types of resume format, one of which you will use to create your resume.
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Job Duties of a Security Supervisor
Security supervisors are employed by office buildings, public buildings, or retail stores to oversee a team of security guards to ensure the safety of people in their premises. They have a significant responsibility to keep everything secured against theft, vandalism, or criminal activities.
Here’s a list of their job duties and responsibilities:
Overseeing the team of security personnel to ensure every security guideline, procedure, and policy is being followed.
Patrolling onsite to provide all-around security.
Monitoring surveillance systems and analyzing security screening and performance of security personnel.
Planning and executing security guidelines and policies.
Coaching security personnel about new guidelines, processes, or IT systems.
Developing preventive measures to minimize the risk of accidents, theft, and other unlawful activities.
Evaluating performance of security personnel from time to time and keeping a record.
Initiating emergency steps in case of an accident or any improper activities on the premises.
Security Supervisor Median Salaries
As mentioned in PayScale.com, the median annual salary of a security supervisor is $50,273. However, depending on the different phases of their job profile and experience, it increases by 4-11%.
Top Skills for Security Supervisors
Security supervisors report to the security manager and are responsible for security officers, lead officers, and other personnel assigned to one or more posts at one or multiple client sites. A firm grasp on organizational, analytical, and communication skills and comprehensive knowledge of security measures, protocols, and policies are necessary to perform your duties.
Following is a list of skills every security supervisor should have:
- Expertise in security and emergency protocols: Security supervisors must know security and emergency operations, specifically for patrol, inspection, and response services. It is their responsibility to implement and adhere to all company policies and procedures and audit them for critical issues. To identify and resolve potential security and safety hazards, the supervisor must routinely patrol the property. Upon identifying any problems, they must implement solutions to ensure regulatory compliance and protect the integrity and security of the company, employees, and guests by safeguarding against fire, theft, vandalism, and illegal entry. They must also apply knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, company policies, and safety regulations to guide workforce behavior and reduce company risk.
- Quality assurance: As a security supervisor, you’ll be responsible for investigating incidents by gathering internal and external information, as well as reviewing all incident reports submitted by security officers for accuracy. Investigations must be completed by delivering a written summary of the findings and your recommendations. You must regularly inspect security personnel assigned to your supervision to ensure their quality of service and contract compliance.
- Solid managerial, organizational, and time management skills: Since you’ll manage projects, programs, and people that include a wide range of tasks, strong leadership and managerial skills are a must. From allocating people and resources to organizing logistics and implementation, monitoring progress, adapting plans, and ensuring that personnel under your care perform their duties, the security supervisor always has their plate full.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: Consistently providing cheerful, courteous, and professional customer service in all interactions is a key part of the job. You must uphold the highest first-class standards of customer service through regular contact with employees, guests, visitors, and clients. And you are expected to establish positive and professional working relationships, including interacting with people at various social levels and across diverse cultures.
- Computer and documenting skills: A security supervisor provides written reports of daily activities. You must prepare detailed incident logs in a clear and precise manner, create digital files for management, and ensure all guest and employee concerns are reported, often through apps or other workplace tools such as MS Office or Google Workplace.
Educational Requirements for Security Supervisors
Academic degrees help teach management skills, while training and certifications are essential to strengthen the candidacy. Let's take a look at some degrees and certificates required to be a security supervisor:
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Degree
The minimum requirement for a security supervisor position is to have a high school diploma or a GED. However, some employers prefer candidates who have extra credentials, such as an associate degree or higher. Having a higher education degree doesn’t make or break your chances at getting the job, especially if you have other qualifications such as previous experience in a security supervisory role, active military service, or police force work. However, a degree does add credibility to your resume and gives you a competitive edge. While employers usually don’t ask for specific discipline knowledge, security-related fields such as criminal justice and criminology can increase employability.
Some institutions to consider offering degree programs in security include the University of Missouri, St. Louis, Colorado State University, Southern Utah University, CedarCity, and many more. -
Certifications
To serve as a security officer in certain states like Maryland, you must first obtain a certification. Although some states do not require certification at the state level, you’ll find that some cities and counties do expect them. Therefore, it is essential to check with your employer or the City Clerk's office in your area.
While other certifications are not mandatory, some can boost your credentials.
The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO), for instance, offers certification in Security Supervision and Management (CSSM). This certification encompasses security protocols and the interpersonal and management skills you need to succeed as a supervisor. The Risk Control Academy also offers a certification for security supervisors, while Chameleon Associates offers a course tailored for professionals in this role. -
License
To work as an unarmed security supervisor in certain states (for example, in Colorado), you must first get licensed. However, once you are hired, you can usually get this permit with the help of your employer. Check this list by Penn foster or this one to see if your state requires a license.
If the role you want requires you to be armed, though, you need a license. Requirements for armed charges vary from state to state, so you must become familiar with getting licensed in your area. Before you can get started with the licensing process, it’s common to need to be at least 18 years old, have no violent or felony convictions, and be of sound mind.
Security Supervisor Resume-Writing Tips
The job profile of a security supervisor comprises a mix of management and security skills, and it’s necessary to mention all skills in the right way in your resume to present a full picture of your capabilities. Therefore, we have listed some essential tips to help you write an outstanding resume.
- Highlight record-keeping skills: As a security supervisor, you must be very good at documentation. Stress these skills to make your resume more attractive. In case you know ERP security packages like SAP, mention it prominently to add more weightage. Knowledge of MS Office can also be highlighted.
- Format resume properly: Remember, the recruiter has minimal time and many resumes to scrutinize. Use proper formatting to create the correct look and feel. Do not use unnecessary capitalization of words. Use the same font and size throughout the resume. The size of the fonts for headings can be increased.
- Be short and crisp: Since you have minimal time to impress the recruiter, use solid and clear language to make your resume more meaningful. Do not exaggerate any point.
FAQ
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What is the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on security supervisors?
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc and brought in the new normal of working, eliminating many jobs. However, the position of security supervisor seems to be secure. This is because every company needs security for their premises. When there are security guards, they have to be managed by someone, and security supervisors play this role.
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The career outlook of a security supervisor.
A security guard can get promoted as a security supervisor and security supervisor as a security officer. However, climbing up the ladder is not easy. Around 27% of the security supervisors working in the USA have a bachelor’s degree and approximately 4.3% of them possess a Master’s degree. To be promoted from a security guard to a security supervisor, you need excellent skills. Similarly, to become a security officer, you need to train security guards and handle a whole security system single-handedly.