Security Guard Interview Questions [Updated 2025]

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Security Guard interview questions and answers.

Have you ever worked as a security guard or in a security-related position before? If so, what positions have you held? See answer
Were your previous roles for public or private companies? See answer
What duties have you managed in the past? See answer
Share some examples of these experiences. See answer
Have you ever had to work as part of a security team? See answer
Would you prefer to work in a security team or individually? See answer
What initially interested you in the security career field? See answer
Tell us about your educational background. See answer
Do you have any industry-specific training, licensure, or certifications? See answer
How would you describe your observational skills? See answer
How would you describe your communication skills? See answer
What interested you in applying to be a security guard for our company? See answer
Tell us about a challenging situation you’ve handled while on the job.
How do you stay motivated and focused at work when it’s quiet?
How do you believe you would add value to our company’s security?

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Security Guard Interview Questions and Answers

Have you ever worked as a security guard or in a security-related position before? If so, what positions have you held?

This question can provide you with information regarding whether a candidate previously worked as a security guard or in a security-related position. It may also help you understand their previous security job titles and their time spent in each position.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience working as a security guard or in a security-related position
Amount of time working in previous positions
Examples of previous security job titles

Example:

"I have previously worked as a security guard for a security agency. I worked in this position for the past six years and have no prior security-related experiences."

Were your previous roles for public or private companies?

This question can provide you with information regarding the type of companies they've previously worked for in the security field. It may also help you understand the different workplace environments candidates have experienced.

What to look for in an answer:

Experience working for public companies
Experience working for private companies
Experience in different workplace environments

Example:

"The security agency I worked at for six years is a public security company. Although, when I began working there, it was a private company during my first two years of employment. So, I do have experience working in both public and private work environments."

What duties have you managed in the past?

This question can provide you with information regarding the duties they've managed in their previous positions. It may also help you understand their specific management skill sets or areas of expertise.

What to look for in an answer:

Previous daily duties
Previous management specific duties
Previous skill set based duties

Example:

"My daily duties included operating and monitoring security control room technology. Sometimes, I also worked events to make sure guests followed safety protocols and to ensure any escalating conflicts got resolved. One time, I even managed our event team while checking guest belonging before entering the venue."

Share some examples of these experiences.

This question can provide you with examples of a candidate's professional experiences working in the security career field. It may also help you gather additional information about their professional skill sets or previous positions.

What to look for in an answer:

Examples of security guard experiences
Indications of leadership or initiative
Highlights of diverse skill sets

Example:

"One example of my experiences was when I managed our team at the event venue when guests were arriving. I remember providing guidance to my team as needed and clearly communicating with guests to answer their questions. Another experience was when I was performing my daily duties and I noticed an issue with the security control room technology. Luckily, referencing the instruction manual helped me resolve the issue myself."

Tell us about a challenging situation you've handled while on the job.

This question can provide you with insight into how a candidate handles challenging work situations. It may also help you further understand their patience levels and rationalization skills.

What to look for in an answer:

Experiences handling challenging situations
Skill sets in patience or rationalization
Methods for finding effective solutions

Example:

"A challenging situation I handled happened while I was performing my daily duties of operating and monitoring security control room technology. I noticed some suspicious activity on the monitor and scrutinised the situation. I then asked a teammate to continue monitoring the technology while I went to examine the situation first-hand. Upon doing this, I realised there was no actual security threat and returned to the control room."

Have you ever had to work as part of a security team?

This question can provide insight into whether a candidate has worked in a security team or primarily worked individually in previous positions. It may also help you recognise if they have any collabourative security experience.

What to look for in an answer:

Experiences working in a team
Examples of teamwork
Highlights of collabouration skills

Example:

"I've worked in a security team throughout my six years of experience. For my daily duties, I worked in a team with two other colleagues. I also have experience working in larger teams during my experiences with event venue security. Throughout both, I worked closely with my teammates to collabourate strategies for providing the best security measures."

Would you prefer to work in a security team or individually?

This question can provide you with insight into whether a candidate prefers working in a team or individually. It may also help you understand the reasoning for their specific preference.

What to look for in an answer:

The preference for working with a team or individually
The reasoning for a specific preference
The willingness to work in either

Example:

"I enjoy working in a team environment because it allows for teamwork and collabouration. Although, if I needed to, I could work individually. However, if given the choice I would choose to work in a team."

How do you stay motivated and focused at work when it's quiet?

This question can provide you with information about how candidates stay motivated and focused while working. It may also help provide insight into whether a candidate is a good fit for the job you're hiring for if they have slow work periods.

What to look for in an answer:

Strategies for staying motivated
Ability to stay focused
Methods for avoiding distractions

Example:

"I have experienced slow work periods and have learned how to stay focused and motivated. Typically, I try to refocus my attention by evaluating the space I'm guarding. I also try to motivate myself by thinking about the importance of my role and the safety of the environment."

What initially interested you in the security career field?

This question can provide you with insight into the reason a candidate joined the security career field. It may also help you recognise their values and personal motivations for applying to be a security guard.

What to look for in an answer:

Initial interest in the security career field
Values or motivations for this career field
Specific interest in security guard positions

Example:

"I was initially interested in the security career field because I've always been passionate about protecting others and providing safety. Specifically, I'm interested in security guard positions because I've enjoyed my previous experiences working in this role."

Tell us about your educational background.

This question can provide you with insight into a candidate's educational background and experiences. It may also help you recognise if they have any specific specialisations.

What to look for in an answer:

Information about educational background
specialisations or areas of expertise
Experiences of studying or learning

Example:

"I have my high school diploma and have taken some general studies courses at a local university. In both educational experiences, I didn't have specific specialisations related to the security field. Although, they provided me with problem-solving skills, which I've found helpful when working as a security guard."

Do you have any industry-specific training, licensure, or certifications?

This question can provide you with insight into whether a candidate has any industry-specific training, licensure, or certifications. It may also help you better understand their credentials.

What to look for in an answer:

Any industry-specific training
Any professional certifications
Any accredited licensure

Example:

"I have engaged in security guard training and passed the exam to become a licenced security guard. I gained this licensure within this province about seven years ago. So I'm officially licenced to work as a professional security guard."

How would you describe your observational skills?

This question can provide you with information about a candidate's personal perceptions of their observational skills. It may also help you understand their reasoning for the level of their observational skills and might offer specific examples.

What to look for in an answer:

Ability of observational skills
Reason for the level of observational skills
Example of observational skills in use

Example:

"I'd describe my observational skills as high quality because I can read situations well and rationalize what I'm observing to determine whether it's an actual threat. For example, when I was monitoring security room technology, I observed some suspicious activity. Although, after continuous observation and rational thinking, I realised there was no actual threat to security."

How would you describe your communication skills?

This question can provide you with information about a candidate's personal perceptions of their communication skills. It may also help you understand their reasoning for the level of their communication skills and might offer specific examples.

What to look for in an answer:

Ability to communicate effectively
Reason for the level of communication skills
Example of communication skills in use

Example:

"I'd describe my communication skills as strong because I can communicate complex protocols to teammates or individuals in the spaces I'm guarding. I can also communicate directions and provide helpful information to visitors. For example, I was working on the main floor of an office building and a visitor needed directions to find her meeting. I directed her to the destination she was searching for and ensured she wasn't late for her meeting."

What interested you in applying to be a security guard for our company?

This question can provide you with information about a candidate's interest in specifically working for your company. It may also help you understand their reasoning for applying to your job posting.

What to look for in an answer:

Reasons for interest in your company
Reasons for applying to your job posting
Examples of a candidate's company knowledge

Example:

"I was interested in applying to be a security guard at your company because I'm looking to expand my knowledge of this profession. I also examined your company's mission, and it seemed in line with my reasons for joining this career field."

How do you believe you would add value to our company's security?

This question can provide you with information about how a candidate believes they'll add value to your company. It may also highlight the specific skill sets they might use as a security guard for your company.

What to look for in an answer:

Skill sets they plan to use
Values they believe they can offer
Reasons you should choose them for the position

Example:

"I believe I can add value to your company as a security guard because I'm passionate about security operations and value the safety of others. I also have strong skill sets in organisation, communication, and observation. I know if you chose me for this position, I would excel because of my skill sets, prior experiences, and interest in being a lifelong learner."

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