Security Officer CV: Sample, Template Writing Guide

The UK security sector is more competitive than ever. With dozens of candidates applying for roles as door supervisors, security guards, or close protection operatives, your CV needs to stand out from the crowd.

Recruiters often decide within seconds whether to continue reading your CV or move on. That's why it must be clear, concise, and tailored, highlighting your SIA licence, relevant training, and practical on-the-job skills, all aligned with the job requirements.

This guide gives you everything you need: a recruiter-friendly security CV template, expert writing tips, and a complete sample CV to use as a reference.

Interested in a career in security and wondering how much it costs?

Check our SIA Badge Cost guide to understand the investment required, and read our Free SIA Training guide to discover how to begin your journey without breaking the bank.

Why Is a Security Officer CV Important & What Employers Look For

A successful security CV does more than list experience: it convinces employers you're reliable, compliant, and capable. Your CV is a trust-building tool and proves why you're the right candidate for the job.

A strong CV helps you:

Stand out in a competitive market: as many applicants are vying for roles like door supervisor, security guard, or close protection officer.
Showcase relevant skills and qualifications: including your SIA licence, CCTV, first aid, and conflict management certifications.
Demonstrate meaningful work experience: such as patrolling, surveillance, incident reporting, and customer service.
Match job requirements: reflect keywords and responsibilities from the job description.
Highlight key soft skills: communication, situational awareness, attention to detail, professionalism, and conflict resolution.

A strong CV not only showcases your strengths but also helps employers match your profile with their expectations, bringing you one step closer to landing your desired job.

Here's what employers typically expect to see in a well-written security CV:

What the employers expect:

Contextual experience: roles, worked environments, and specific duties like entry control or emergency response.
Certifications & licences: SIA licence, CCTV, first aid/CPR, with explicit licence numbers.
Hard skills: surveillance, access control, alarm systems, proactive monitoring.
Soft skills: vigilance, situational awareness, communication, conflict de-escalation.
Tailored content: align CV with the specific job ad by including matching keywords to pass ATS filters.

There are specific skills and areas of knowledge that employers specifically look for when hiring a security professional. From demonstrating your situational awareness to showcasing the proper certifications, your CV must reflect these expectations to be taken seriously.

If you're applying for a job as a security guard, make sure you're equipped with the right capabilities.

Read our article on the Essential Skills in a Security Guard to understand exactly what employers are looking for.

Tips for Writing a Good CV for a Security Officer

A well-written CV can be the difference between getting shortlisted or being overlooked. Recruiters often scan CVs in under 30 seconds, so clarity, relevance, and professional formatting are essential.

When applying for a security job, your CV should speak directly to the employer's needs. It's not just about listing past roles; it's about clearly presenting your skills, training, and experience in a way that matches the job description.

Whether you're writing a door supervisor CV, security guard CV, or applying for a close protection role, think of your CV as your personal security briefing. It must be clear, focused, and show that you're fully equipped to handle the role. Employers are seeking precision, reliability, and the ideal balance of technical and interpersonal skills.

Here are the most important tips to help you stand out as a strong candidate:

Tailor Your CV to the Job Description

Use specific keywords from the job ad. If the role mentions "conflict management " or "CCTV monitoring," be sure to reflect those in your experience and skills sections.

Keep the Layout Simple and Clean

Avoid clutter. Stick to a minimal, modern format with clear headings, bullet points, and plenty of white space. A clean CV shows professionalism and is easy to scan

Focus on Key Qualifications

Include your SIA licence, First Aid training, CCTV certification, or any other relevant course. Mention full names of qualifications and licence validity dates where applicable.

Use Action-Oriented Language

Start each bullet point with an action verb, such as monitored, patrolled, responded, or reported, to communicate your responsibilities and achievements clearly.

Prioritise Relevant Experience

List your most relevant roles first. Mention job titles, site types (e.g., retail, events, construction), and key tasks. Focus on what matters most to the role you're applying for.

Show Professionalism Throughout

From the language you use to the way you name your file (e.g., John_Doe_Security_CV.pdf), everything should reflect a professional and reliable image.

A well-drafted CV can help you stand out, but to truly succeed, you also need to understand what's expected from a licensed security professional.

Make sure you're fully prepared by exploring these essential guides:

1. Standards of Behaviour of a Security Operative
   

2. Can Security Guards Detain or Touch You?
   

3. What Are SIA Security Jobs Like?

Standard Security CV Template

A well-structured CV ensures that employers can quickly identify your suitability for the role. First impressions matter, especially in a competitive field like security.

Follow this standard security CV template to present your qualifications clearly and professionally:

CV Format

Personal Information

Place your full name, phone number, email, and address (or a location reference) at the top. Accuracy is essential.

Profile Summary

Write a short statement (2-3 lines) highlighting your most relevant experience and qualifications for the role.

Key Skills

Bullet your strongest, role-specific skills:

• Surveillance & monitoring

• Risk assessment & threat analysis

• Access control & patrol procedures

• Emergency response & first aid

• Conflict resolution & de-escalation

• CCTV operation & reporting

• Excellent communication

• High attention to detail

• IT proficiency

• Physical strength & agility

Prior Work Experience

List roles in reverse chronological order. For each job, include title, employer, location, dates, and bullet points of your duties. Focus on relevant roles; if you're new, include internships or related work.

Education

Mention your most recent qualifications first. Include the qualification name, institution, location, and study dates. Add any relevant awards.

Certifications & Licences

Clearly list your SIA licence (include badge number and validity) and any first-aid certification. Ensure everything is current.

Additional Information

Include any other relevant credentials, like a driving licence or language skills, that might add value.

References / Proofread

Either list referees or write References available upon request. Then proofread your CV for consistency, spelling, and formatting. Ask a trusted friend to review it too.

A door supervisor CV will differ slightly from a security guard CV, as the responsibilities and employer expectations aren't the same.

It's crucial to understand your specific job requirements and tailor your CV accordingly.

Read our guide on the Difference Between Door Supervisor and Security Guard to explore their key differences.

If you're already working in security and aiming to renew your SIA licence or upskill, consider joining our Top-Up training courses.

Security CV Sample for Reference

When it comes to job applications, many candidates struggle with how to present their experience effectively. That's why we've created a ready-made CV sample tailored specifically for security professionals.

This example uses the correct format, tone, and details expected by employers.

Use it as inspiration to draft your own or simply download and customise it.

Download This CV Template

A well-written CV shows more than your qualifications- it shows your professionalism and attention to detail.

Make sure to tailor your CV to the specific security role you're applying for, whether that's guarding, CCTV operation, close protection or any other. Combine this with proper training, format, structure, layout and you're set to stand out.

Conclusion

Whether you're just entering the industry or looking to upskill, a great CV opens the door to your next opportunity.

A poorly structured CV can cost you the job, even if you have the right skills. A great CV isn't built on experience alone- it's built on how well you present that experience.

With employers reviewing dozens of applications, your layout, keywords, and clarity can all become key deciding factors. A scattered or outdated format won't communicate the high standards you're trained to uphold.

When you match a clean CV with strong security skills and current certifications, you immediately position yourself as a capable, job-ready professional.

FAQs

What should a security officer's CV include?

A security officer's CV should include a professional summary, key skills such as conflict resolution and surveillance, work history, valid SIA licence details, and certifications, including first aid training.

How do I write a CV for a security guard job?

To write a strong security guard CV, use a clean layout, tailor the content to the job description, highlight SIA certification, and showcase relevant experience such as patrolling, CCTV monitoring, or access control.

Is there a difference between a security guard CV and a door supervisor CV?

Yes. While both roles involve security, a door supervisor CV should emphasise customer-facing duties and conflict management skills. In contrast, a security guard CV may focus more on surveillance and static guarding tasks.

Where can I find a good security CV sample or template?

You can view a professional security CV sample template in this article, and download an editable version to customise for your job application.

How do I format my CV for a security job in the UK?

Use a standard UK format: start with contact details and a profile summary, followed by key skills, work experience, education, certifications (like your SIA badge), and references.