Armed Security Resume Example
A career as an armed security officer typically involves monitoring CCTV systems and patrolling assigned areas. To succeed in your applications for armed security officer roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll explain how to write a winning resume for armed security officer applications that best showcases your skills and experience.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other armed security officer applicants. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and potential employers. Read on to learn how to write a perfect armed security resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in an armed security officer resume
Although the content of an armed security resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same. A resume for candidates with little or no work experience may focus less on the work experience section, and bring sections to the fore that emphasize their skills, such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, education, projects and skills lists.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header with Contact Details
Your armed security resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Matthew Harris
matthew.harris@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
13 Elm Street, Springwood, OH
linkedin․com/in/matthew–harris123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in armed security officer roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for armed security officer roles.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why armed security officer roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for armed security officer roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your armed security resume summary.
Highly trained Armed Security Officer with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and extensive experience as a Protective Services Specialist. Proven expertise in threat assessment, emergency response, and crime prevention. Adept at maintaining safety protocols and delivering exceptional security services in high-risk environments. Strong background in law enforcement principles, surveillance, and incident management
Security professional with some background in criminal justice and experience in protective roles. Worked in areas involving safety and response to situations. Familiar with maintaining safety measures and providing security in challenging settings. Knowledgeable in basic law enforcement, watching over areas, and handling incidents
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your armed security resume summary.
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to armed security officer positions. Consider adding surveillance systems operation, conflict resolution skills or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for armed security officer jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as an armed security officer.
How to list hard skills on your armed security resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for armed security officer jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an armed security resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for an armed security resume.
- Firearms proficiency
- Self-defense techniques
- Surveillance systems operation
How to list soft skills on your armed security resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for an armed security officer job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for an armed security resume.
- Conflict resolution skills
- Attention to detail
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Education and Qualifications
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for armed security officer roles.
It's not usually necessary to have a degree for jobs as an armed security officer. Nevertheless, it's still crucial to list your highest or most relevant educational achievements. These might include Armed Security Officer, and other certifications or courses that highlight your surveillance systems operation or emergency medical response.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2017 - 2020
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to armed security officer jobs. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as an armed security officer.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for an armed security resume:
- Certified Protection Officer, 2022
- Armed Security Officer, 2022
- Firearms Proficiency Certificate, 2022
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your armed security officer skills. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Protective Services Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Sentinel Security Solutions, Long Beach
- Successfully managed 100+ cases annually, ensuring child safety and family reunification
- Designed and implemented a new risk assessment protocol, reducing incident rates by 30%
- Trained and supervised a team of 15 junior specialists, improving team efficiency by 25%
Protective Services Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Sentinel Security Solutions, Long Beach
- Ensured safety and security of premises through regular patrols and monitoring activities
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a secure environment
- Conducted routine checks to prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with security protocols
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Jobseeker Tip:
If you have limited formal experience, highlight other achievements, like completing training programs, certifications, or successful personal projects. (1) Present this information in a clear and concise format with easy-to-read sections and plenty of white space. (2)
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to an armed security officer resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as an armed security officer. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Experience
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for armed security officer roles. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
Although it's rare to include references on an armed security resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in an armed security resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Patrol
- Monitor
- Respond
- Enforce
- Secure
- Detain
- Investigate
- Report
- Protect
- Observe
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of an armed security resume
The armed security resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
13 Elm Street, Springwood, OH
•
matthew.harris@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/matthew–harris123
Dedicated armed security officer with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and extensive experience as a Protective Services Specialist. Proven expertise in safeguarding assets, ensuring compliance with security protocols, and responding effectively to emergencies. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a secure environment.
Protective Services Specialist
2020
-2022
Guardian Shield Solutions (Baltimore)
- Successfully managed and resolved over 150 child welfare cases, ensuring safety and well-being of vulnerable children
- Led a team in conducting 200+ investigations, resulting in a 95% improvement in intervention effectiveness
- Developed and implemented a new training program, enhancing staff skills and reducing incident response times by 30%
Firearms proficiency
Self-defense techniques
Surveillance systems operation
Conflict resolution skills
Attention to detail
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Certified Protection Officer
Armed Security Officer
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for an armed security resume
- Keep your armed security resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- Include any relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role, for maximum readability.
- Use action verbs to showcase how you've put your armed security officer skills to use in your career (e.g. 'patrol', 'monitor', 'respond').
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your armed security resume more difficult to read.
- Don't clutter your armed security resume with too much information. Keep everything focused on showcasing your relevant skills and achievements.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your armed security resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about an armed security officer resume
After writing your armed security resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the armed security officer role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you have plenty of experience as an armed security officer, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. As a armed security officer with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. In your armed security resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for armed security officer positions at first glance. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Junior Armed Security Officer
- Experienced Armed Security Professional
- Veteran Armed Security Officer
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Takeaways for your armed security resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
