I've thought a lot about the topic of work history and backgrounds, and how the topic plays such an important role in the security industry as a whole.  Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've seen the coverage of all of the school shootings in American. Naturally, one of the main topics always at the forefront, is the assailant's or person's past history, and the plethora of clues and signs that almost EVERYONE saw and knew about, (at least in hindsight).

We in the Security Industry and in Law Enforcement can beat the topic to death and "Monday Morning Quarterback" all aspects of past employment and history when it comes to potential Stalkers and Criminals (after the fact).   In the fallout of another shooting or other incident, all the industry professionals and commentators are out in full force on every news media outlet that will give them a voice.   

And of course, who could preach more on this, than the security industry? Aren't we the best...

When I transitioned out of full-time Law Enforcement (LE), and made that big leap into full-time Executive Protection, it felt a bit risky. Everyone has their own reasons for doing things. My 'why' was primarily the unbearable thought of getting in 'that car' for 15 more years, topped out in pay with no hope of a raise, and going 10-41 (on-duty) and 10-42 (off-duty) like ground hog day til I 'retired'. Then retiring at the young age of 50, only to have to to get another job just to pay for health insurance. All the while making MUCH less than "six figures'. Thinking about a long-term future in law enforcement back then, just did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling (are you with me?).

However, if I had listened to the peer pressure of the majority of my friends (most of whom said, "You're Crazy" or "What are you doing?", or "What about Retirement?" or my favorite, "We'll see you back here in about a year"; then I WOULD be retiring in just a...

Have you ever wondered how Corporate Recruiting works?  You've wondered why you have submitted  resumes to hundreds of companies, and have gotten absolutely NO responses.

Applying for jobs becomes a mind-game on your self-esteem and confidence. You begin to think it's about you, that the world is conspiring against you!

Well (in fairness), it could be some things you are doing or failed to do, but most likely you are just a victim of the Recruiting Woes.....

Trust me, I have worked with fabulous, energetic Recruiters and they want you.  But the complex systems they must navigate to do their work tend to bog them down in a barrage of resumes, phone calls and meetings.  Think about it, these recruiters staff multi-Billion/Million dollar companies that everyone wants to work for.  The typical Corporate Recruiter is doing the best she/he can, is likely filling multiple positions for multiple different departments at any given time, and only has so much time in...

As a Security Department hiring manager for a multi-billion dollar company, I got to see first hand how companies struggle to recruit and retain the best. Having worked  with many good Recruiters and HR departments, I am still amazed at how many companies still recruit new EP and other security candidates by taking a generic security job profile,  and then send it out to the masses on every site in the world. Some of the best known, and most respected organizations are literally posting jobs on Craigslist because they just don't know where to find good people.
After sending out these broad-brush calls for applications, they must then cull through hundreds (if not thousands of resumes) trying to find that one candidate that is the "perfect fit". They are bombarded by resumes from great people. Military, law enforcement, security contractors...you name it. But they are not familiar with the nuances of this line of work, nor the terminology and acronyms that typically abound...

In the end, YOU want work.....

As someone that reviews a lot of Candidate resumes, I see a glaring pattern related to "job descriptions".

As in...no one seems to read them!

If I can offer some advice here: never apply for a job or position without having thoroughly read the job description.
You may not realize this, but from the recruiter's point of view, that document, and that description are critically important. In fact, that document is the road map they will follow when screening for the role.

The job description is written by the hiring manager and reviewed/approved by the corporate recruiter who generally works under the HR Department.  This is the document that they are trying to match candidates to.

So it would make sense to ensure your resume/CV  matches the actual job description with a lot of the same "buzz words".  If the job description is clearly looking for a Security Specialist, then why would they hire a SWAT Sniper with 25 tactical schools listed at...

In assembling a successful EP team, there are a number of critical elements that are typically neglected through both the recruiting, and on-boarding process. When faced with critical vacancies, there is often pressure is to fill the role quickly, and oftentimes there is little time spent on overall ‘fit’ within your current team and organizational culture. The importance of viewing your detail as an actual ‘team’, rather than as individual component parts is a strategic perspective that cannot be over-looked.

While everyone wants star players, the importance and impact of a team concept is huge. For those of us with backgrounds in law enforcement, the military, or team sports, we are likely indoctrinated in the adage, ‘there is no I, in TEAM’. We are well-versed in the notion that we function better as a team, and that no man is an ‘island.

However, once we being working professionally in the EP world, we encounter a professional...