Job Overview Protection is greatly needed by rich and powerful people. Bodyguards, also known as personal security worker or personal protection officer, are employed by politicians, business executives, movie stars and other people who needs to be secured from harassment, injury, kidnapping and other types of harm.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Those aspiring to be a bodyguard should take courses like Psychology, Physical Education and English classes in high school. Bodyguards usually start their career in the military or civilian law enforcement. This is where they learn to use weapons, control the crowd and respond to emergency situations. College degree is not necessary but those who will be working for a government agency like U.S. Department of State is required to finish college and obtain a bachelor’s degree. Most employer would require the applicants to complete training in use of firearms, criminal law, first aid and personal protection technique. Certification is not necessary but this will greatly help in enhancing the applicants professional image. Certification can be obtained from The American Society of Industrial Security. An applicant must have professional experience and should pass the examination which covers personnel security, emergency management, legal aspects, physical security, investigations, security management and protection of sensitive information.
Skills and Abilities
It is important for a bodyguard to be physically fit. It is essential that they remain calm and focused in dangerous situations. Being brave, intelligent and sensitive are some characters that bodyguard should possess.They should know when to use force without going over the line. They should be a keen observer and have a good eyesight. They need to know how to plan and formulate some strategies. It is important to know how to work with different types of people.
Duties
The main purpose of a person hiring a bodyguard is to be protected from any forms of danger.
Bodyguards are trained to respond quickly in dangerous situations. They are responsible in formulating strategies and plans to protect their client. They anticipate possible threats with the use of surveillance techniques and other tactics. It is their duty to keep an eye on their client to avoid possible problems. They risk their own lives to defend their client. It is part of their job to coordinate travel arrangements and schedule for maximum security of their client. Bodyguards work with other security people. They need to secure the area and location when the client appears in a public event.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Bodyguards who are just starting in the profession earns between $25 and $50 an hour. Full time bodyguards with less than five years of experience have an average income of approximately $22,330 annually, while those with five years of experience has an average income of $27,570 per year. The increase in terrorists, violent demonstrators and stalkers will increase the demand for bodyguards continuously.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.