Security Managers: Career & Application Guide

What do security managers do?

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Develop budgets for security operations.
Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.
Supervise or provide leadership to subordinate security professionals, performing activities such as hiring, investigating applicants' backgrounds, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, or disciplining.
Develop, implement, manage, or evaluate policies and methods to protect personnel against harassment, threats, or violence.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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