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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What Not To Do When Job Searching

Career Advice, Hucky Austin

By Hucky Austin

I know that in your mind you think you are the perfect fit for Tiger Media International. Yet, you failed to mention what you are applying for; was it the janitor, the receptionist or the executive protection position?

By the way, my name is spelled “Thompson” and since I am a male, I was a little put off by the fact that you addressed me as “Ms. Leslie Thompson.” I suppose my first name threw you off. I suppose somebody didn’t do their research prior to submitting their materials.

Speaking of research, you mentioned that you “love to work with animals.” Our business, Tiger Media International, is a public relations marketing firm. No tigers. Or lions. Or bears.

By the time I got to the end of your resume (all six pages, 10-point Frenchy Script) I understood that you were interested in the Executive Protection position which was posted online. In that advertisement, I specifically requested that only individuals who speak and write fluent Spanish submit a resume. While your cover letter started with the greeting “Ola” and you sprinkled in words like “caliente” (3 times) and closed with “muchos gracias,” nowhere on your resume does it indicate that you actually speak Spanish.

Your resume painted quite a detailed portrait of you. Who knew a child could make that much in lemonade sales? And the three months you worked at Taco Gringo in 1998; you seem to feel that experience relates to this job. I can’t see it. But I’m glad you can. Oh, wait. Does that have something to do with speaking Spanish?

The job advertisement indicated that 50% of the job would require international travel, accompanying our top executive on business trips. It appears you don’t have a passport, have never negotiated an airport with a VIP, speak any foreign languages, or are even available to travel. I noticed your cover letter didn’t address this important job requirement, or how you felt about it.

[Read more…] about What Not To Do When Job Searching

Honesty Is The Only Policy

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

There are two things in the EP business that you should never do: lie about your experience and lie about your training. If an EP agent does not have the background or skill required for a particular assignment he or she should be honest about it. If its found out that the agent does not have the background or skills he or she pretended to have they will be dismissed from the detail and be replaced.

The agent’s name will be mud in the small EP community and his or her chances of earning a good living in the industry will be difficult. Never say you have done something in the industry or lie about your background; to do so is absolutely unforgivable.

I once interviewed an agent who lied about protecting a certain Hollywood actor, one that was under contract with our company in which the agent did not know about. He was caught in a lie, the word got out and unfortunately his career was damaged.

If golden opportunities come up but you don’t have the required credentials, background, or experience to handle it professionally; you can hire someone with a thorough background and knowledge of the business to manage the assignment on your behalf, but do not lie.

Be completely honest with the prospect client or the EP sub-contractor and yourself. Learn whatever you can about the EP trade, get educated about the business side of things to be better equipped to understand the assignments you may be offered and absorb valuable insights into the workings of the industry.

But, never lie about your qualifications. You may not get that particular EP assignment, you will surely be remembered for your honesty. Keep safe 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

The Golden Rules of Bodyguarding

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

By Doc Rogers

Here are some basic principles that should be followed to ensure bodyguard success:

1. Humility. The better you get in the BG trade, the less you have to prove it.

2. Respect. Temper your BG ambitions with respect at all times.

3. Service. Provide high-quality service with the best protection possible to make the client’s experience a safe and memorable one.

4. Advance Work. Destiny is kind to BG’s who do their advance work.

5. Integrity. Be honorable and honest in your private life and during your interactions as a BG.

6. Professionalism. Distinguish yourself as a dedicated professional with total conviction and discipline for the trade.

7. Health. Keep healthy and in good physical shape. It’s good for business and increases your career and life span.

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A Day In The Life Of A Bodyguard

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

The bodyguard industry is a tough profession, not a game. However, if you have a truckload of drive and determination you may have what it takes to become a full-fledged professional in the business.

Let’s take a look at a typical day in the life of a bodyguard. Background: The preparation for this assignment started two days in advance of the actual execution of the client’s agenda.

0100 Hours – The bodyguard has already picked-up the jet-lagged client at the airport who has crossed several time zones and safely delivered him to his hotel suite. In the client’s jet-lagged condition he probably gave little notice of the bodyguard as he swiftly guided to the waiting security vehicle.

0500 Hours – The BG wakes up in his hotel room in the dark gloomy morning hours. Clutching his wake-up coffee he scans CNN and the local newspaper to absorb any new developments.

0530 Hours – The BG heads down to the hotel parking lot to inspect the security drivers (one executive car and driver and one security follow-up car and driver). The inspection was a good one; the drivers looked thoroughly professional and the cars were spotless inside and out with full-tank of gas. The security drivers give the BG a brief of the morning traffic conditions within the grim, dirty and overcrowded city in question.

0600 Hours – The BG heads over to the hotel coffee shop for breakfast. Seasoned BG’s know they may not eat again for the next 8-hours, so they eat a good breakfast to have more energy to burn throughout the day.

0650 Hours – The BG has been fed and is suited-up, ready to meet the most important person in his career – the client. This is the time you get to make a second impression, the first one was at the airport. There are a few general rules you should keep in mind. You want to look professional (dress, walk and talk), you need to project a healthy, alert and friendly image. You should warmly greet the client with a “good-morning, sir.” Don’t expect a reply or attempt to engage in conversation.

0715 Hours – The client exits his hotel suite and the BG performs professionally by escorting him to the elevator and alerting the security drivers to get into position.
[Read more…] about A Day In The Life Of A Bodyguard

So, You Want To Be A Bodyguard?

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

Are you getting restless with your mundane existence and bored with your present job? If so the first and most rigid rule to follow is training. You cannot expect to become a bodyguard unless you are skilled and trained. There is absolutely no chance to enter into this field being untrained and inexperienced; there are no exceptions.

However, BG training is one of the most pleasant memories you will ever have in the industry. While at the academy get good grades in all the courses as its an indication of your BG intelligence and shows your capacity for self-discipline. Don’t take it lightly.

After successfully graduating from the academy you may think you are on your way to exotic places to bodyguard famous people and make lots of money. Don’t get your hopes up to quickly. It will take a lot of work to achieve upward mobility in the business. This is the reality you have to live with.

Upon BG graduation the reality of the trade descends upon you; you need to get a job to feed yourself and pay the bills. Now is the time to take a good inventory of yourself and to formulate a good plan of attack.

Draw up a “Skill Sheet” and list every skill you have as it relates to the BG field. If you don’t have any additional skills now is the time to get specialized. Here are some examples:

•    If you will be working by the ocean and may be guarding your clients at the beach – get certified as a lifeguard.

•    If you plan to guard your clients while snow-skiing – take skiing lessons.

•    If you know how to jet-ski – list this on your BG resume.

These are some example additional skills that will help “sell” your services within the BG market, as well as your credentials based on your training from the academy. The BG industry is a demanding business that requires a working knowledge of a wide range of skills from security driving, medical procedures to Martial Arts and shooting skills. Get as much education as possible; there is no room for the untrained or uneducated.

After obtaining the additional training based on where you will be working and your circumstances your resume should look extremely professional. Now you will have to find work where the jobs are; so you can start working your way up to the upper echelon of the industry over time.

Here is a list of Asian countries that have bodyguard opportunities:

1. Philippines: Lots of work; brutal competition, can make a decent living. Clients tend to go with seasoned veterans.

2. Hong Kong: Limited work here, work is often assigned to a small percentage of bodyguards, good place to gain international BG experience if you can find it.

3. Pakistan: Certain amount of work here; bodyguards need the right qualifications with reputable in-country connections, somewhat dangerous at times.

4. Malaysia: Fair amount of work; however only a small pool of regular clients requiring BG services.

5. Thailand: Slim pickings here; most BG do auxiliary work while waiting for the unpredictable assignment to come in.

The five listed countries are excellent places to get international experience and gain a professional reputation. They provide golden opportunities to gain exposure in the trade. A bodyguard who has a successful year or two in Asia and returns with good experience will certainly find work in the United States.

There is no easy road to follow; you need to be prepared and be patient for your opportunity. The suggestions and advice in this article can open doors in the bodyguard industry, It’s up to you to go for it. 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

What I Like About Bodyguard Careers

Doc Rogers, Featured Articles

What I like about Bodyguard Careers is the great camaraderie of its members. We all learn from each other, we have the utmost respect and motivate one another for bodyguard career success.

The articles, comments and advice form the members of Bodyguard Careers help us to find the winning formula for keeping our clients safe and provides career advancement.

Networking is one of the tools of the bodyguard’s trade and most of the members at Bodyguard Careers have been around a long time and know the workings of the industry. These members are very supportive of new bodyguards at the beginning of their careers.

The feeling of community and the sharing of bodyguard experiences and knowledge from Bodyguard Careers’ enormous pool of highly talented and trained professionals makes the site such a seductive attraction for both the seasoned veteran and the newer bodyguard.

Bodyguard Careers has the feel and the unspoken acceptance that make you immediately comfortable communicating with other members. I have made many genuine friends at Bodyguard Careers and hope to make many more. Nobody makes it in the industry without the help from friends.

The seasoned veterans at Bodyguard Careers are exceptionally helpful to newcomers; no one has developed an inflated ego of importance; they are good-natured and approachable people. The members want to help each other succeed and they take the trade very seriously – that’s being professional.

Being part of this group at Bodyguard Careers, I feel humbled each day. It gives me the desire to push myself harder in the industry and during training; so I can earn my right to be a member – that is a great privilege. I give thanks to Harlan “Hucky” Austin, President of Bodyguard Careers and all its members.

Keep safe 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

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