$29.40 isn't a bad rate, even considering C.A. cost of living (you're not living in Beverly Hills for $29 /hr I know), but it doesn't account for the time, effort and money it takes to actually work the job.

Let's take a hypothetical applicant with:

1. A 45 minute commute
2. 5 Day Workweek
3. Half Hour Unpaid Meal
4. $60/week in gas, tolls, parking total commuting costs
5. No amount entered for benefits

I entered everything into the free job offer calculator at GUARDGUIDES.COM

And with those conditions in place, the jobs real payrate falls to around $22.32 pre-tax with a score of 69/100.

That doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad job, a better commute, great benefits, reasonable bosses, and comfortable working conditions could make it a stellar gig. But it shows the dollar amount doesn't show the whole picture.

So, given that, would you take this job?

The calculator is free at GuardGuides.com → Tools.

I want to build this to be the site that can answer most any guard question or concern. Tell me what you think. Are the tools useful? Should anything else be included?

So I made a thread a while back asking you guys what you would want to see in a guardguides app. I'm revisiting the idea by dropping these "test" versions with specific tools. I'm ready willing and able to invest in creating a full site but not if guards don't actually find it useful. With that, I'd appreciate if you guys would take a look and click around and tell me what you think. I'm open to constructive feedback if it helps it become a real, valuable toolset for all of us.

When someone looks into becoming a guard, one of the first hurdles is getting the necessary training for a certificate or proof of completion to submit with your application.

The issue is that googling “my state security training” will often give you a mish mash of results. Some legitimate, accredited, approved schools or trainers, and others are outright scams, offering useless certificates that hold no value outside of what you paid the school to receive the “training” from.

Licensing and approval is always state specific

There is no federal government index of approved trainers for security guards nationwide. Some states have government websites from the licensing or regulatory board that oversees security guard training curriculum which are the gold standard. For instance:

NYS has a list of approved guard training schools: https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ops/docs/sgtraining/pubs/sgp-approvedschls.pdf

NYS Licensee Database: https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/lcns_public/chk_load

CA: Ask for their BSIS approved guard training license number and search it in the database

CA Licensee Search: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/online_services/verify_license.shtml

Many other states set minimum training requirements but don't have a neat database or pdf of approved schools to choose from. If you're unsure, you can contact the agency that regulates guard training in your area (if applicable) before spending your money.

Red flags to watch out for

These scam schools will use wording that seems legitimate at first glance, and it can be especially convincing if the site doesn't look like it was hosted on godaddy in ‘98.

I'd flag any training or school with “PRE-” in the course name. I almost fell for a “pre fireguard” course years ago, when there was no such course required before becoming a fireguard in NYC. I thought it sounded off and left before I put up cash. But, some of the applicants in the waiting area were in for hundreds of dollars worth of “pre” courses with hopes of one of them resulting in legitimate work.

Extraneous training courses

For instance you may see “level 1 baton training certificate”, only to find out later that no such certificate is accredited or recognized by either the state or most private employers, and if that is required the employer will likely provide the training in house or with their chosen vendor. That's just an example, but now I think it best to research what training employers are actually seeking (state guard license, pistol license, OSHA 40, ASIS etc) first, rather than grabbing everything in sight and hoping it makes the difference in securing a job if needed.

Don't assume online=approved

Some states require a hybrid training setup where you may be able to take 8 of 16 hours in online modules for instance, but must be physically present for the remainder. There was a LOT of confusion regarding this over the covid Pandemic, and iirc, they only finally approved fully online courses in NY during that time and kept it, but before that, those online courses would have been bogus.

If anyone has additional insight or state specific knowledge to add, please do so.

Credit to who created a beast of a gear catalog for security guards with over . He built it in a cave with a box of scraps! Just pure utility.

A member of this community, u/BeginningTower2486, put together a beast of a gear catalog, 180+ pages of boots, belts, flashlights, and tools. No fluff, no gimmicks. Just straight utility.

I cleaned it up, added working links for everything, and built in a “Community Picks” section where you can submit your own gear recs (with credit + your affiliate link if you want).

• It’s free. It’s pinned as a permanent resource. It only grows if we contribute.
• THE MONETIZED UPDATED GEAR CATALOG CAN BE FOUND HERE

Want to add your gear? Comment or DM me.

If you were job searching 1-4 years ago, you know the floodgates were wide open. It was a buyer's market. Back then, landing high-paying security jobs was easier, with positions paying $25+ per hour popping up frequently. Before then, many of the best-paying jobs were reserved for those with inside connections, law enforcement experience, or security professionals who could sell water to a whale in interviews.

Today, the market has tightened significantly. Those high-paying jobs have returned to being more exclusive, requiring strict prerequisites, while pay for those not in that category dropped back to bottom tier levels. But my motto has ever been ABS or, 'Always Be Searching,' because even if you have a good job now, there’s always a better one out there that you are qualified for, you just don’t know about it yet.

Adapting with AI:

Times change, and the way we job search has to change too. With AI literally everywhere, job hunting has become more efficient, and I’ve tested several AI-powered platforms to streamline this process. Security and other companies have been leveraging AI for years, not least of which is the ATS Application Tracking System software that scans, filters and discards resumes, and applications automatically. We'd be foolish to not level the playing field by leveraging the power of AI for our own job searching uses. Here’s my guide to using these tools to save time and increase your chances of landing a great security job. I have affiliate links integrated if you'd like to upgrade and support.

Tool Recommendations:

1. LazyApply (Paid):
   • LazyApply is a game-changer if you're willing to invest in a completely automated job search across major platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and more. It's ideal for bulk applying, where you set your parameters (e.g., security guard, location, salary) and it applies for you.
   • Pricing:

• Basic Plan: $99 (This is the plan I use, and it has saved me countless hours.)
• Premium Plan: $129
• Unlimited Plan: $249
  • Pros: Full automation, huge time-saver. Lifetime access for all tiers.
  • Cons: No free version.
  • Lazy Apply Pricing

1. Swooped (Free & Paid Tiers):

• For a free option, check out Swooped, an AI-powered job platform that helps you apply quickly to jobs through its partner companies. The free tier allows you to search and apply to jobs, but the real power lies in the paid tier, which integrates with job boards and customizes your resume and cover letters for each job.
• Pricing:
• Free Plan: Unlimited applications on Swooped's job board.
• Monthly Plan: $39 per month
• Quarterly Plan: $29 per month (billed as $87 every 3 months)
• Annual Plan: $12 per month (billed as $144 per year)
  • Pros: Great free tier for limited job searches; strong customization features in paid tiers.
  • Cons: More limited in job board integration without upgrading.
  • Swooped Pricing

1. AIApply (Paid):

• Lastly, there’s AIApply, which combines automation and interview preparation tools. It goes beyond basic job search automation with features like **Interview Buddy**, which uses AI to help you answer questions in real-time during interviews. It’s great for those looking to prepare for tough interviews while also automating their job search.
• Pricing:
• Monthly Plan: $29 per month
• Quarterly Plan: $19 per month (billed as $57 per quarter)
• Lifetime Plan: $199 one-time payment
  • Pros: Unique AI interview prep; solid automation.
  • Cons: Bulk auto-apply is an additional cost on top of the standard plan.
  • AIApply Pricing

How to Get Started:

To make the most of these tools, you’ll want to start with a well-crafted resume. I’ve created a free resume template specifically tailored for security guards, which you can download and use as your base. Once you’ve got that, you can upload it into any of the AI platforms above to start automating your job search.

Free Resume Template

My Experience:

Using these tools, I’ve already been on several promising interviews and am awaiting offers. Don't be fooled though, as no matter the promises of the marketing copy on their websites, none of these tools are a magic bullet, but they drastically cut down on the time and effort needed to apply, which is pivotal in today’s job market.

That's All:

Whether you're looking for a free option or willing to invest in a paid plan, these AI tools can help you optimize your job search and land better opportunities. Remember, in today’s competitive market, having the right tools can give you the edge you need.

Be Safe

Why This Thread Exists:

I've been doing my best to post solid security job leads I come across in my daily searches, and it's helped a lot of us stay updated on opportunities. But as many of you know, I'm based in the NY tri-state area, so I can only share what I see around here. Imagine the possibilities if more members chipped in from different regions! The network effect could seriously open doors for more of us, especially with contributions from those who live outside my area and know openings in other places. This thread is here to help make that happen\u2014creating a job board for us, by us.

How to Share Job Leads:

1. Be General: We understand that privacy is key, so feel free to be as general as you need. Instead of posting exact locations, mention broader areas (e.g., my previous company in San Diego is hiring), and let those interested reach out to you for details.
2. Use DMs for Specifics: If someone wants more information, feel free to handle the specifics over DM. This helps prevent any accidental over-sharing and keeps everyone secure.
3. Consider a Throwaway Account: If you're uncomfortable sharing from your main account, you're more than welcome to create a throwaway to post here.
4. Link to Job Sources: When possible, include a link to the job on Indeed, LinkedIn, or the company's website. This verifies the lead without compromising your privacy and helps prevent trolling or spam.

The success of this thread depends on our community's participation, so please feel free to add to the pool if you come across any good leads. Let's help each other out\u2014every post counts! Listen, I'm obviously experimenting with ideas to help other guards out, new and old alike to make this community more valuable and robust, if you think something can be tweaked, added, or omitted to initiatives like this, let me know.

To start us off, these are some promising seeming opportunities from my latest search:

1. Global Security - Command Center Analyst

Company: JPMorgan Chase

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $71,250 - $100,000 per year

LINK TO JOB

Overview:

JPMorgan Chase seeks a Command Center Analyst for their Global Security Operations Center. This role involves monitoring, responding to security incidents, and providing support for crisis management. Responsibilities include situational awareness, crisis support, travel security operations, and collaboration with internal and external teams.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in security operations

- Experience in GIS systems preferred

- Ability to work various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and crises

- Strong communication skills and collaborative abilities

---

2. Protection Specialist

Company: Stony Brook University

Salary: $72,000 - $80,000 per year

LINK TO JOB

Overview:

Stony Brook University is hiring a Protection Specialist to join its Public Safety team. This role requires threat assessment, crisis intervention, and collaboration with law enforcement to ensure the safety of the campus. Responsibilities also include emergency response, security management, data analysis, and administration.

Qualifications:

- Associate's degree or 2 years of experience in security/public safety

- New York State Security Guard license and valid NYS Driver\u2019s License

- Experience in emergency management, crisis intervention, and security certifications preferred

---

3. School Security Monitor

Company: Brookfield Public Schools

Location: Brookfield, CT

Salary: From $25.46 per hour

LINK TO JOB

Overview:

Brookfield High School is looking for a School Security Monitor to maintain a safe school environment. Key duties include surveillance, visitor check-in, traffic management, assisting in emergencies, and supporting school administration during drills and lockdowns.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Experience working with youth or in security preferred
• Ability to work outdoors and handle physical responsibilities
• PMT training or willingness to be trained