Have you had your business premises broken into in recent months, or are afraid of something like this happening? Or perhaps you have a big event or other occasion coming up that you need security at?
Regardless of your situation, if you know that you need to hire security guards sometime soon, it helps to know the top factors to search for when you put together your shortlist and select a person or firm.
Strong Communication Skills
One of the most crucial factors to keep an eye out for when checking out trusted security guard companies is strong communication skills. If a sticky situation arises, you want someone on hand who can communicate clearly and promptly to you, your team, customers, event attendees, and anyone else on hand, and who won’t be misunderstood when stress is high.
You also want a person or team with good written skills who can document any incidents that occur and make notes of the status of facilities or goods or other elements at the end of their shift or when a project is complete. Plus, you want someone who will respond to your questions when you have them and not make you wait around for ages to get the information you require to proceed with bookings or plan out various factors of an event or other security needs.
Honesty
Since security guards are often responsible for keeping an eye on valuable goods and cash and protecting vital company and other data, you need to be sure the people you hire are trustworthy. Being honest is a significant component of this. You also want to deal with guards you feel safe with.
While it’s challenging to tell if someone is an honest person or not, listen to your gut reactions when you talk to or meet people. First impressions mean a lot. Anyone who gives you reasons to question them from the start may have something to hide. Be sure anyone who comes on board to help you with your security needs has had a thorough background check run on them before they’re hired.
Don’t be afraid to ask people as many questions as you need to to get a better idea of who they are as a person and if they seem honest or not. Also, as time goes on and you use an individual or group’s services, they shouldn’t give you a reason to doubt them and their integrity. During the training and early stages of a job, pay attention to see if your opinion changes for the worse. If it does, it’s best to do something about this sooner rather than later, as you don’t want to regret not listening to your concerns later on if something goes awry.
Alert and Vigilant
Effective security officers must stay alert and vigilant at all times, too. They need to focus on their surroundings and avoid noticing unwarranted distractions that could make them miss essential security details that could put lives or assets at risk. The best guards have quick reflexes, too, because they’re so good at paying attention that they don’t get surprised by movements or actions.
Look for people who seem adept at analyzing situations quickly, reacting calmly, and coming up with solutions that make sense for the situation.
Attention to Detail
You also want to hire security guards known for their attention to detail. Top operatives have excellent observation skills and will thus pick up on small details that seem out of place or otherwise alert them to something potentially untoward occurring. Well-trained workers can detect early warning signs, and their trained eyes will help them prevent incidents because they’ll detect suspicious behavior faster than others.
Fit and Healthy
Something not to underestimate is how fit and healthy a security guard is. The best candidates stay within a reasonable weight range, exercise regularly, and are strong and fast. They must be in good shape to chase or stop criminals or protect those under their care. Plus, physical fitness also helps with mental sharpness, which is an added benefit. People who look fit and strong are also more likely to make everyone feel more secure while at the same time intimidating and deterring anyone with nefarious goals.
You also want to hire security guards who are punctual, display a solid work ethic and don’t mind long hours, and who can lead or work well within a team as necessary. Plus, pick those who present themselves well. Your company’s reputation is on the line, so you want guards wearing matching uniforms that are neat and tidy and fit correctly. People should groom themselves and look professional at all times.
Taking all these factors into consideration will help you to identify and hire the best people for the job the next time you need security services for your business.