Bodyguard Careers

Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry.

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The Celebrity Black Book

Career Advice

Contact Any Celebrity
Click Here For Instant Access To Over 55,000 Verified Celebrity Addresses!

One of the most important things you need to do for your career is make people aware of who you are. One way to do that is to create a website to promote yourself and your skills.

Another useful method is sending out resumes to as many potential employers as possible. Who needs bodyguards? Celebrities! One of the most powerful informational tools you can obtain is The Celebrity Black Book

2010: Over 59,000 Accurate Celebrity Addresses. This book can significantly expand your database of contacts.

A great feature of the Celebrity Black Book is that you can pay a small fee and have online access to the latest information–actors, musicians, sports figures and the like are often changing agents, business managers, and public relations people. A free 30 day test-drive of Contact Any Celebrity’s membership Web site and online database is available (just mail or fax the coupon included with the Celebrity Black Book).

It is important to understand that you may never hear from these individuals. The success of your endeavors depend on a number of issues: [Read more…] about The Celebrity Black Book

Money Management for Bodyguards

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

The objective of this article is to help talented bodyguards’ problem-solve their money management activities and to reach their financial goals. As bodyguards we get paid sporadically at times.  The goal is to plan an effective budget and to accumulate enough funds to survive the slow times and eventually become self-sufficient. No one is coming to our financial rescue; we need to hang tough there is no other option.

This year serious bodyguards and elite executive protection specialists will make a lot more money in the industry than in previous years.  This is the best time to get the ball rolling and accomplish something important financially with your bodyguard career.  Money management takes three of the most unglamorous things to accomplish; planning, self-discipline and hard-work.  Practice them or perish:

1. Planning. Bodyguards should efficiently plan their time, energy and money into areas of the profession that offers the biggest payoffs.  Bodyguards should be constantly asking themselves on a daily basis: “What is the best use of my time and what BG projects will be most financially rewarding?” Focus on the most important projects and activities. You must start planning business and personal lifestyle changes to reduce your overhead. You goal at this stage of the game is to earn more and save more of what you earn.

2. Self-discipline. Unlike what you see on TV bodyguards should not live a lavish lifestyle, we are not rock stars. You don’t need the latest model car, drive a nondescript one instead, you don’t need that Rolex, a Timex will do for now. You don’t need to display a social status at this time; you need to start building a nice little nest egg for yourself.  It’s time to get focused and get your financial house in order. Cut all useless spending; stop or cutback on going out to the club for a round of drinks and start tighten up your spending habits.

3. Hard-work. Now it’s time to get focused and get your head into the game. Make your money management goals happen through hard-work and action. Open a savings account either at your local bank or online (http://ingdirect.com).  After every successful BG assignment tuck away $500 into your savings account. Take for example if a bodyguard goes on three well-paid BG assignments per month, that’s thirty-six assignments per year, saving $500 from each assignment adds up to a total savings of $18,000. You are now taking full responsibly of your money management. Your individual savings budget may fluctuate, save a much as you can.

Your bodyguard career financial barriers can only be surpassed by extraordinary measures. Continue to significantly reduce your spending and push yourself to save beyond your normal cash saving limits.  You number one enemy is hesitation. The clock is ticking. Good luck and God speed.

http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927

http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

http://corporate-executive-protection.com/

Bodyguard Careers Interviewed on Voice America

Announcements

Update 5/21/2011

I guess there was some technical difficulties with the original link, so many were not able to hear the interview live. It’s my understanding that the engineers have everything worked out now, so without further ado, here is the radio interview that you can listen to or download as an MP3 or iTunes download. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Hucky

This Friday at 1:00 pm CST, Bodyguard Careers will be featured on “On America’s Frontlines of Crime & War” found on Voice America which broadcast to over 130+ countries. The show host, JJ Sutton and William Vinelli will interview the President of Bodyguard Careers  Harlan “Hucky” Austin.

Past guests from the executive protection community have included: Jerry Heying of EPI, Brandon Delcamp ESI, and Elijah Shaw at Icon. You can tune in live or log in later and listen anytime (you can also download the program as an MP3 or itunes download).

Date:  May 20th

Episode Title: Getting Hired: The Hard Part of Executive Protection

Episode Description: For centuries bodyguards have been putting their lives in the hands of fate while they ply their trade and protect another from potential harm. It’s a mysterious business and conjures up romantic ideals, boosts thoughts of high honor and integrity, and a life of danger & excitement. The modern world now calls this Executive Protection (EP).

Executive Protection is now a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. Getting in the door can be a daunting task sometimes for those not already invited in.

One of the industry’s professionals & allies comes to us in this episode to share advice, secrets, and practical tips on how to make it happen.

For those who have heard the calling it sometimes takes a little more than mastering the hard skills to get thru the door and make a good career in this industry.

There are pitfalls around every corner, a long list of do’s and don’ts, so tune in for this episode and find out how it can be done.

To listen to the show click: HERE

Defensive Handgun – Tactical Movement and the use of Cover

Announcements

On Friday, June 3, 2011, renowned  firearms instructor Mark “Six” James will be conducting a Defensive Handgun Class at South River Gun Club in Covington, GA.  This course is for a select group of fellow associates in the Protection, Security and Law Enforcement business. The cost for the course is $250.00 ,please find below an information sheet which will help you understand the topics which will be cover in the training.

Defensive Handgun – Tactical Movement and the use of Cover

This course is designed to enhance your personal defensive firearms skills. This is not a basic course and is not designed for beginners. It will introduce participants to realistic situations they will potentially face in their day to day environment. Some of the topics we will cover are:

• Handgun Marksmanship Review
• Balancing Speed and Accuracy
• Effective Trigger Manipulation
• Handgun Fighting Positions
• Increasing your Defensive Options
• Enhancing your Weapon Presentation
• Maintaining Continuity of Fire
• Managing Malfunctions
• 360 degree Close Quarter Engagement
• Shooting on the Move
• Dealing with Multiple Adversaries
• Effective use of Cover
• Weapons Retention and Disarming

This is up close and personal training designed to help you increase your ability to defend your life or that of a loved one or associate. Requirements: Pistol (bring the handgun you normally carry or use for home protection); holster (no shoulder holsters please); 3 magazines; magazine holders; ear and eye protection, kneepads optional but encouraged.

Ammunition: Approximately 300 rounds (minimum)

Additional Considerations: Bring your lunch, water, Gatorade etc.

Course length: 8 hours

Participants: 6 minimum – 12 maximum

Mark “Six” James is the Executive Director of Panther Protection Services and author of a number of firearm and combatives publications such as Defensive Handgun, Defensive Shotgun, Law Enforcement Combatives – Fighting at Bad Breath Distance Urban Carbine. Registration will be first come first serve and will be closed at 12 participants.  Please RSVP at your earliest convenience as the course will sell out quickly.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call. (404) 349-9117

Click here for more Info: Defensive Handgun

The Interview

Bodyguard Careers Staff, Featured Articles

By Bodyguard Careers Staff

An appealing cover letter and a “killer” resume (granted you did spell check on both) will get you the interview call. After the excitement subsides you are thinking of the next step. Here are a few tips to help you maneuver and manipulate your way through to the offer letter.

1) We have all been active job seekers in the past or present. Some of us are looking for a better opportunity on our own chronological terms (we are currently employed), some of us need to change jobs due to financial or other stresses, and some of us are unemployed.

Those of us in the last two categories will send mass amounts of applications to various companies; the downside to that is that we have not done our homework in advance. What is important is to research the company you are applying for prior to going to your interview.

The interviewers will ask you: “what do you know about our company?” The last thing you want to say is “nothing”.  Utilize the internet, ask friends and family or seek out alternative sources of information about the company that you are interested in.

2) To the interviewer’s eyes being ten minutes early translates into being late. You want to make sure you get accurate directions to the location and drive by at least once to familiarize yourself with the area and parking restrictions. No matter how trivial this sounds, it’s always a good idea to have the phone number handy in case of emergency or in case you are running late so you can let your interviewer know ahead of time.

3) Conservative dress code is highly recommended.  Make sure your clothes are cleaned, pressed, tear, stains and rips free. Personal hygiene and grooming are important, but wearing perfumes or cologne is not recommended due to certain people’s sensitivities.

[Read more…] about The Interview

What’s Under Your Coat – Tools of the Trade

Featured Bloggers, Mark Six James

By Mark “Six” James, EPS, CPO

Just like building a house or repairing a car the right tools often make the job significantly easier.  While agents and operators possess varying skills levels your tools are designed to help enhance your operational capabilities and maximize your efficiency.  Below is a selection of commonly used tools of the trade, which can help you, become more efficient in conducting your business.  They are listed in alphabetical order and not tactical importance.  Just as the situation should dictates your tactics, your individual skills, threat level, detail and environment should also help dictate your tools.  It is not expected that an agent would carry all of the tools listed below on every detail, but ideally the ones which best compliment the assignment.

Body Armor – sometimes the shield is more important than the sword.  It is a must have for protection specialists.  It is more important to not get you or your client shot, than it is to shoot, shooting is extra credit.  Personal armor is designed to absorb the impact from handguns, some shotgun projectiles and shrapnel from explosions.  All body armor is not created equal so please do your research.  Metal or ceramic plates can be used with a soft vest, to provide additional protection from rifle rounds.  Soft vests are commonly worn by protection specialists and law enforcement whereas hard-plate reinforced vests are mainly worn by combat soldiers, police tactical units, and other high risk protection teams.  Typically the slimmer the profile and lighter the weight the more expensive the vest will be.  Understand your vests rating capabilities – Level 1 through Level 3.  Most vests will provide minimal assistance against a knife slash, but almost no assistance against a stab or puncture.  There are some very good high tech vests which are stab resistant however they are priced accordingly.  Buy the best vest your budget can afford and upgrade as soon as practically possible.

Communications – in some cases a two way radio is a great communication tool in other cases a cell phone with a good Bluetooth ear piece is a better low profile communication option.  As the public is use to seeing professionals chatting on their cell phones.  Make sure if your cell phone or your PDA is your primary communication tool, make sure your cellular provider is as good as the rest of your equipment.   It doesn’t do you any good to have high tech phone or PDA and a low tech provider.  Make sure whether using a two way radio or cell phone your ear piece has good noise reduction capabilities.   During your advance work make sure your communications will work in the region you are traveling or in the event facility.  If working with a team, make sure you have hand signals in the event you lose verbal communications capabilities.

[Read more…] about What’s Under Your Coat – Tools of the Trade

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