How to write a strong cover letter as a professional guard
Professional guards can serve in a variety of security roles, from ensuring the safety of financial and government institutions to working for private clients. Winning your ideal role as a guard comes down to conveying your commitment and professionalism to an employer through a well-written cover letter.
In this guide, we teach you how to write a strong cover letter as a guard, including key tips on formatting and writing examples. Keep reading to learn about:
- Properly formatting your header & headline as a guard
- Tailoring your guard cover letter for specific employers
- Drafting an introduction that catches an employer’s eye
- Highlighting your best professional traits as a guard
- Finishing your guard cover letter with a strong closing stat-ement
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
See more examples like these
1. Properly format your guard cover letter header & headline
The first essential elements to include on any guard cover letter are a well-formatted header and headline.
A header always comes first, as it includes all the necessary information that identifies who you are, how to contact you, and who the letter is intended for.
In your header, you should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name of the employer or company you are applying to
- The address of the employer or company
Here is an example of a well-formatted guard cover letter header
Jack Jones, Professional Armed Guard
(123) 456-7890 | jackjones@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-jones
To: Bank of America
Security Department
1234 Street Address
Washington, D.C. 20001
Once you have filled in this information and formatted it to look appealing on the page, your next task is to create a cover letter headline.
Headlines are widely considered optional but can be an excellent tool for hooking the attention of the employer and compelling them to read further.
A headline should always include:
- A keyword related to the position
- An eye-catching number or trigger word
- A powerful adjective or verb
- A promise statement that informs the employer the letter is specifically for them
Here is an example of a well-written headline for a guard cover letter
My 3-Step Approach to Guarding Valuables & How It Can Benefit Your Banking Institution
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Guarding Valuables
Adjective/Verb: Guarding, Benefit
Promise: Your Banking Institution
2. Tailor your guard cover letter for specific employers
As you write your guard cover letter, you need to include as many details as possible that cater to the exact wants and needs of one specific employer.
To do this, you must tailor your letter by first researching the employer thoroughly, including what values they hold, what responsibilities they expect from the role you are applying for, and which person will be in charge of reviewing your application.
Using this last detail, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this person by name and lets them know right away that your letter is tailored for them.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Head Security Officer Harold Michaels,
- Dear Mr. Harold Michaels,
- Dear Chief of Security Harold Michaels,
Find out your resume score!
3. Draft a guard cover letter introduction that catches an employer’s eye
After completing your research into the employer that will help you tailor your letter, you can then begin writing the introduction. This introduction should be brief with the main intention of introducing yourself more thoroughly and hooking the employer’s attention.
An effective cover letter introduction includes:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: By including a mutual acquaintance, you not only establish rapport but also provide a trustworthy professional reference for the employer to contact if they so wish.
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write a guard cover letter introduction
Dear Head Security Officer Harold Michaels,
As a professional armed guard with more than 8 years of experience protecting large-scale historic estates from trespassers, I believe I am the ideal addition to your estate security detail. My former supervisor, Mrs. Jane Smith, is a respected patron of your establishment and gave me a tremendous recommendation for this position. I hold a great level of enthusiasm for protecting historic estates and have long had the goal of joining your security team long-term.
4. Highlight your best professional traits as a guard
Now that you firmly hold the employer’s attention, you can begin to delve into the more in-depth details about why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
This information makes up the body paragraphs of your cover letter and should include key facts such as your best skills, accomplishments, and other qualifications. Make sure to keep all details highly relevant and relate them back to the employer’s wants and needs whenever possible.
Here are 6 skills to describe in a guard cover letter
- Firearm expertise, training, and licensure
- Weapons safety
- CPR and First Aid
- Technical knowledge of surveillance equipment
- Calmness in extreme circumstances
- Clear oral and written communication
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a guard cover letter
In the job description you posted online, one key qualification you cited was teamwork. As a former security detail leader, I have been formally recognized and awarded for my leadership capabilities in two former positions. In my most recent role, I was honored with a Medal of Valor after leading my team in identifying and apprehending a suspicious armed individual before any civilians were harmed.
5. Finish your guard cover letter with a strong closing statement
It is always incredibly important to conclude a cover letter with as much enthusiasm and professionalism as you started with.
To write a strong closing statement, you should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an excellent conclusion from a guard cover letter
I am beyond eager to learn more about this position and to further my career in this role. It would be my pleasure to speak with you directly about my qualifications and I hope to schedule a meeting within the next week. I am available any day of the week between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please feel free to reach out to me at (123) 456-7890 at your earliest convenience.
Warm Regards,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
