Industrial security firms and guard agencies employed about one-half of all guards. These organizations provide security services on contract, assigning their guards to buildings and other sites as needed. Although guard jobs are found throughout the country, most are located in metropolitan areas. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Most employers prefer guards who are high school graduates. Applicants with less than a high school education also can qualify if they pass reading and writing tests and demonstrate competence in following written and oral instructions.
Some jobs require a driver's permit.
Employers also seek people who have had experience in the military police or in State and local police departments. Most persons who enter guard jobs have prior work experience, although it is usually unrelated. Because of limited formal training requirements and flexible hours, this occupation attracts many persons seeking a second job. For some entrants, retired from military careers or other protective services, guard employment is a second career. They should be mentally alert and emotionally stable.