Security guard vacancies
Shift rotation is the part that decides whether a security job is livable. Ask about it before the salary.
What the role involves
Access control, visitor logging, patrolling, and emergency response. Apartment and office roles are largely static; warehouse and industrial roles involve more movement and sometimes night patrols.
Shift patterns
- Eight-hour, three-shift rotation — the most sustainable pattern.
- Twelve-hour day or night — better pay per month, worse for health.
- Resident guard roles, often with accommodation, where work and home blur.
Requirements
Most employers require a minimum age of 18 or 21 depending on the site, basic literacy, a police verification, and physical fitness. Ex-servicemen are preferred for supervisor roles.
Uniform and deductions
Ask whether the uniform is supplied or deducted from salary, and whether it must be returned on leaving. A deduction spread over months is common; a large upfront charge is not.
Questions people ask
Is training provided?
Many employers provide short on-the-job training. Supervisor roles usually require prior security experience.
Do I need to stay on site?
Only for resident guard roles, which state accommodation in the listing. Others are commute-based.