Getting started

[Shockley]

As I stated in another thread I am taking a bogyguard training course with Bodyguard Training International in Feb. I've been looking at job openings on-line and they all require years of experience, which I don't have. How does someone in my position "cut there teeth" in this market. Any tips or suggestions would be a great help to me. EP work is something I have always wanted to do and I missed my chance with the Secret Service. I've been kicking myself ever since.

[Local Talent]

I'll try and come up with more substance tomorrow when I have more time, but I just wanted to say this for now: you have to play your strengths.
You do have military service, with a high-profile protective detail under your belt. After you graduate from BTI, which I have reason to believe is a very extensive program, you should be able to hit the ground running, however green.

I have seen complete newbs with the lamest resumes land decent (entry-level) gigs. At least, they got their foot in the door.
How did that happen? Employer need. Timing. If you keep knocking, one door will eventually open. You may be the fifth wheel on your first detail, but you'll at least have a chance to learn and shine. And once employed, of after a verifiable EP reference, you're so much more marketable.

The hardest hurdle I see for you in interviews is how to explain why, if "EP work is something you have always wanted to do", you waited until now to apply, after so many other jobs. But there can be ways around that, and it's frankly more something a client would ask rather than a company, I feel.

Tell us a little more about your career path and abilities, or how the other stuff you've done can be used in EP, and I'll get back to you soon. I'm sure that our membership will also gladly give you a hand.

[Lone Wolf]

I couldnt agree with you more. Keep knocking on the doors one will open... Its a good start.. Me personally, I have been from one to another, all the experience in the world wont help if no one is hiring. Ive been in the security and EP sector for over 20 years.. And I still have to work at keeping contacts and trying to find a company / person that is hiring...

[Shockley]

First off thanks for the input. EP work is something that I've always wanted to do. I applied with the Secret Service when I was in Washington D.C. but there was a hiring freeze and since I alresdy had a White House clearance they told me To re-apply in 6 months. My enlistment was over and I came back to California and got married and job in the printing industry which I worked 12hr days 7 days a week to pay the bills. It was good money but little time for anything else. I never re-applied to the Secret Service, which is why I kick myself. After 12 years, I got tired of the hours and the overwhelming stress and got into gate automation and entry controll systems, which I think may or may not have some use(as a security aspect). Five years later the construction market crashes and now I have time to think about what I really want and what will make me happy. I've been unemployed for 10 months and thats plenty of time to figure it out. LOL.

[Local Talent]

I have to agree with Wolf, since I'm in a uniform making half what I used to right now. :( I was shaking my head on the job yesterday just thinking about it: I had thought I'd never again have to stand 7-10 hours a day for peanuts, but there I was. Tsk, tsk...
But there's circumstances, sometimes, like when you relocate and no one really knows you, and yes, it's a lousy job market at the moment.

So first of, to get in and stay in this racket, you shouldn't be too proud to take entry-level positions, esp. off the bat.
And actually, my own moving up through the ranks gave me a well rounded understanding and knowledge of the industry that I see people jumping right into EP not have. They don't know the basics, it shows, and they trip themselves up.
Exactly like the military will have shaped you in invaluable ways, and you'll always notice guys who haven't served afterwards. A "pro" who doesn't carry a pen makes me shake my head...

Yes, I think that your experience in access control systems is a good thing to play up.
And I understand your taking care of family obligations first. Be prepared to having to discuss that with insiders, though. So many years are hard to explain.
For a security guard job, no one really cares what you want to do with your life - everybody knows it's just a job. Some applications still ask you why you picked this job, but it's mostly to sniff out guys not cut out for it or with the wrong expectations ("I want some real action!", "I'm very big and I don't take crap from nobody!"... :D).
But EP is a career and will require a commitment to training, the industry (not letting your boss & partners down, for ex., one reason why people love military guys), and clients.
I know that one client really grilled me once: my choice of H.S. major, why I wasn't in LE, why I was in that city - everything came up. We went so deep that I was uncomfortable... Imagine that they want to know who's coming into their mansion, driving their kids in the $100,000 car, and hanging around them near other high-powered elite types.
Dilettantes and wannabes (not saying that's you - just want you prepared for the questions) have to be ID'd and turned away.

I'll say that springing for a high-level EP course is a strong statement about your commitment, however, and since you don't have much else as far as pro experience, I'd go into detail about that on my resume.

Now to get your foot in the door...
Another thing besides "keep trying" is: don't let high requirements stop you from applying. Worse can happen is your resume gets tossed right away. But I personally got in quite a few times, and still do (:D) while I didn't entirely fit the "bill".
If you listen to some guys (or believe the ads), only cops get jobs in L.A., or only folks with CCWs, or only people connected, etc. Not so. This is an industry where the need to find bodies (contrary to what they claim) is often pressing and overwhelming.
And hiring managers are so busy that to get through, you have to be smooth and persistent ("Thanks again for taking the time to look over my resume the other day, I hope you had a nice trip back. I was wondering if you'd have anything I could help your company with these days"). Keep trying, and keep trying nicely: believe me, everybody wants to work with a nice guy for a change... so many big egos walking around like the world owes them a living. ;)

I've said it before, and it's very important, IMO: know the local (and not so local if ready to relocate) industry. What companies are out there and what they do. Most new guys have no clue how to do their homework.
So one thing to do is this: take an entry-level job (uniformed and/or unarmed estate protection, or whatever) for a company that you know to have real EP work. Once in, impress the hell out of them and you may end up on their next good detail.
Very easy to impress people, BTW, and it has little to do with a long resume (lots of guys have those, esp. from LE or service overseas). Be quiet and polite, be sharp, be puntual, be respectful - all things the military should've taught you. Look and act like you will not embarrass the company in front of their wealthy clientele. It's been 90% of the deal for me.

And as far as where to apply, it's a little tricky because of your age. Use this forum to run what you find by us.
Don't expect anybody to offer you a job out of the blue, though (a lot of guys seem to expect just that, but you probably know better). Participate here and on other forums, make yourself known and appreciated, get to know as many insiders as you can, and again, keep knocking on doors!

ETA: my PM box is always open. Not that I know everything or everybody, but I usually do have an opinion and am always willing to share it (have you guys noticed yet? :D). And I'll be more ready to discuss a particular company or ad under the radar...

[Shockley]

Hey LT, I again want to thank you for taking the time to respond to this subject in such great detail. This is info I will take to heart and use wisely. It will prepare me for those grilling questions when the time comes. You sound like a guy thats been there, done that, so I will gladly take any advice you have to give. Again I really appreciate the help and maybe some day we will run into each other. Hopefully on the job.

[Local Talent]

EP is a very small world and we're in the same AO, so it's FAR from impossible, brother... :)

And like I said, when posting, I try to stay general and informative to most newcomers, so I may be stating the obvious for guys who've been around. I never forget that many different people read us, some new, some just curious, and possibly some clients or companies.
For more pointed tips, PM is best, I feel.

Good luck to you, Shockley, you sound like you already have the most important attribute: a good attitude. :)

[Lone Wolf]

Attitude is EVERYTHING THIS BUSINESS...