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.

Marketing: Building Professional Recognition

Career Advice

One of the questions I’m asked most is “how do I find the work?” It can be very difficult to secure bodyguard or executive protection contracts, and I’d like to address what I perceive as a shortcoming in terms of landing good jobs: Self-Promotion.

The world has changed, and your marketing strategy has got to change. One of the first ways we check to see if an individual or business is “legitimate” is by conducting an internet search. There is so much information available at our fingertips that the perception now is that if you don’t have a website that you are not truly a “professional.” The truth is, if you are an independent contractor, you MUST have a presence on the web. It doesn’t matter if you have all the training in the world, an arsenal of weapons, specialized skills and even a top-notch resume–if people cannot learn more about you and locate you on the world wide web, you are not accorded respectability. I’m not saying it’s right; I’m just saying that’s how it works.

Don’t forget, YOU are your business when you’re an independent contractor. You can create a very simple website without spending a fortune. Domain names can be purchased at places like Yahoo for low monthly fees. There are a great many web masters with a wide range of fees, so you can find someone to work with in your price range. Emphasize your strengths and skills and professionalism. Above all, be truthful. You are seeking work in a field where integrity, discretion and dependability are paramount–the first step is to garner respect, so honesty is key. [Read more…] about Marketing: Building Professional Recognition

Code of Silence

Executive Protection Articles

“Guarding presidential candidates 24 hours a day, Secret Service agents know better than almost anyone what they are really like. Among Secret Service agents, no protectee evokes more disdain than ______________.”

So begins a recent story that was authored by an anonymous USSS agent. I will not be posting the complete story, which lambastes a particular candidate, because this runs counter to the “code of ethics” I believe are required to work as an Executive Protection Specialist or Bodyguard.

I find it appalling that at this echelon of personal protection, given the enormous salaries these individuals are earning, that an agent feels compelled to send out a printed missive venting frustrations or grievances against the character of the principal. To be truthful, the “warm and fuzzy” individuals who are in need of personal protection are few and far between. That’s a fact. These people have outrageous schedules, often an enormous amount of responsibility, and an unprecedented agenda that is first about business, and last about caring what their protectors think about them.

If this is a career path you wish to follow, be advised that it is more than likely that you won’t think the best of your employer. You may not like their lifestyle, their attitude, their manner with people or their politics.

But here’s the thing–if you work at Burger King, your job is to flip burgers and make nice to the customers, for a paltry minimum wage. If you are hired to work a protective detail, your job is to ensure no harm comes to your protectee. That’s it. The reason a Bodyguard or Agent earns so much is because the job is dangerous, certainly. But there is also a code of silence and respect that is inherent in this work. If you can’t manage to maintain discretion, go take that job at Burger King–because you’re making those of us who are professionals look bad.

Personally, I respected the USSS when they conducted themselves as quiet professionals. There’s a reason it’s called “The Secret Service.”

True Bodyguard Stories #5 In the Club

Personal Protection Jobs, True Bodyguard Stories

Back in the 1980s, most bodyguard “training” consisted of stints in the military. (ESI is the oldest intelligence-based protection services training program in the world, and was founded only 28 years ago.) I was one of the lucky few who fell into this line of work thanks to friendships and “right time, right place” circumstances.

I had to do most of my learning on-the-job. When I started out in this business, I was pretty much the baggage wrangler, and moved my way up through the ranks. Along my move up, I became involved in conducting advance detail duties. One of the most important things I learned is that executive protection work is based on a strong foundation of advance work. The advance team serves as the “eyes and ears” for the detail. Advance work means using a checklist to prepare for all types of scenarios.

At that time (before any formal training on advance work  was in place) it was really something that came out of developing common sense, using imagination to help visualize “worse-case-scenarios” and paying attention to intuition. I actually rather enjoyed doing advance work, because truthfully–it was time to myself when I wasn’t at the beck and call of the protectee I was protecting. It was breathing room, and a chance to look around whatever city we might be in! This is a true story about the importance of conducting thorough advance work. [Read more…] about True Bodyguard Stories #5 In the Club

A Superb CV: Your Ticket To The Top

Career Advice

Very recently, an extremely popular celebrity was seeking a new bodyguard.

Since this celebrity doesn’t have a lot of time (he’s very popular, remember?) his business manager is charged with the task of finding the appropriate talent for the position.

But business managers are busy people, quite often managing more than one demanding celebrity. And, since this is 2008 and the entire world moves at lightening speed, the manager doesn’t want to have to take the time to read over stacks of resumes in order to present the best candidates to the celebrity…as soon as possible.

See, the popular celebrity with the overworked business manager wants to see your brief and to-the-point CV, so you can be moved quickly to the top of the stack, scheduled for the interview and offered the job…as soon as possible. [Read more…] about A Superb CV: Your Ticket To The Top

True Bodyguard Stories #4 Making Friends With the Enemy

True Bodyguard Stories

In the interest of privacy, I have left out the names of the parties or the organization involved in this story.

In the summer of 2006, my partner and I took on a new client; a prosecuting attorney.

She had been hired by the government, to serve as outside counsel in a trial incriminating the leader of one of the world’s largest white supremacist organizations. The trial had been ongoing for almost a year with no major interruptions, when this attorney began getting death threats at home and on internet message boards. She was even followed home from one of the hearings. My partner and I were called upon to accompany her for the final day of the trial.

With a surveillance team placed outside the courthouse, our duties were simply to provide transportation to the trial, escort our client into the courtroom, take a seat close by, and to not let her out of our sight. Pretty basic. However, at the last minute, the trial was opened to the public. Nearly 100 white supremacist supporters and fellow members of this “brotherhood” decided to show their support for the man on trial by coming into the courthouse. This was a very different scenario from the one we’d anticipated when we took this prosecuting attorney on as our client!

Most bodyguards make sure they are noticed, using their size to intimidate any would-be trouble makers. Thanks to my bald, shaved head, in this crowd of white supremacists, I went undetected as a bodyguard, and I intended to keep it that way.

As the morning proceedings began, I glanced around the room to assess my surroundings. The majority of the crowd was taking a genuine interest in the trial, with the exception of one man, who seemed to be staring at my client. He looked almost hypnotized, he was staring so hard and continuously. I was not too concerned about him being in possession of any weapons, since there had been extensive screening and searches prior to admitting anyone into the courthouse.

But I was concerned about a physical attack or the use of an object already in the room as a weapon. There are always those individuals who take the leap of faith over the small barrier to attack a defendant or lawyer, so I was on the alert. The first half of the final day of the trial came to a close, and the court was recessed for a 30 minute break. My client retreated to the prosecutor’s chambers; a small room only accessible by a small door in plain sight. Nearly all of the crowd filed out of the courtroom to the common area to get refreshments, use the phone, restrooms, etc. I asked my partner to sit tight in the courtroom, while I go out to mingle with the crowd in the common area.

[Read more…] about True Bodyguard Stories #4 Making Friends With the Enemy

No Shortcuts

Career Advice, Hucky Austin

By Hucky Austin

A large number of people contact me daily about getting into the Executive Protection (Bodyguard) business. At the risk of bursting bubbles, I must tell you this: There are no short-cuts when you are protecting lives.

Think first about protecting yourself and your money when selecting a training program. This is your first assignment on this career path: Do the research and conduct due diligence in assessing schools and “employment opportunities.” Go beyond believing online hype and guarantees of employment. No program can promise you work upon completing coursework. If the school advertising or facilitators are telling you this–IT IS NOT TRUE!

There are countless unscrupulous and dishonest people out there who are taking advantage of people eager to get into this field. Do not be fooled. [Read more…] about No Shortcuts

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