How to hire a receptionist/security officer

How to hire a receptionist/security officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step receptionist/security officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a receptionist/security officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new receptionist/security officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a receptionist/security officer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect receptionist/security officer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of receptionist/security officers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Receptionist/Security Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Receptionist/Security Officer	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$12-18
   Officer	An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises... Show more	$12-49
   Unarmed Security Guard	The primary responsibility of an unarmed security guard is to monitor and protect properties against damage or criminal attack. They must be alert, patrol the premises, and respond to emergencies... Show more	$11-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Visitor Badges
   • Front Desk
   • Patrol
   • Client Facility
   • Safety Hazards
   • Security Services
   • Transferring Calls
   • Emergency Situations
   • CPR
   • CCTV
   • Company Management
   • Property Damage
   • ID

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Certify in first aid, CPR, and a.
   • Maintain a high level of alertness to ensure the well-being of their corporate clients HSBC.
   • Monitor all event activity, CCTV and maintain control over customers, residents and staff traffic throughout the property.
   • Monitor computer alarm systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and communicate by radio with mobile units to attend alarms
   • Patrol facility area and look for anything out of place: leaks, machinery not working properly, people, etc.
   • Foot patrol of interior and exterior to check / lock / unlock gates, entrances, doors, windows and vents.

   More receptionist/security officer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your receptionist/security officer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A receptionist/security officer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, receptionist/security officers' average salary in mississippi is 44% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level receptionist/security officers earn 36% less than senior-level receptionist/security officers.
   • Certifications. A receptionist/security officer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a receptionist/security officer's salary.

   Average receptionist/security officer salary

   $15.24hourly

   $31,692 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level receptionist/security officer salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average receptionist/security officer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$40,775	$20
   2	California	$39,550	$19
   3	Massachusetts	$37,473	$18
   4	New York	$37,370	$18
   5	Minnesota	$36,914	$18
   6	Colorado	$33,598	$16
   7	Virginia	$32,603	$16
   8	Arizona	$32,247	$16
   9	Nebraska	$32,083	$15
   10	New Jersey	$32,013	$15
   11	Iowa	$31,422	$15
   12	Michigan	$31,057	$15
   13	Missouri	$31,041	$15
   14	Ohio	$30,981	$15
   15	Indiana	$30,646	$15
   16	Pennsylvania	$30,032	$14
   17	Texas	$29,512	$14
   18	New Mexico	$28,295	$14
   19	North Carolina	$28,222	$14
   20	Louisiana	$26,019	$13

   Average receptionist/security officer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Loras College	$32,491	$15.62	2
   2	Allied Universal	$31,941	$15.36
   3	G4s Secure Solutions International Inc.	$31,849	$15.31
   4	Securitas Electronic Security	$31,589	$15.19	669
   5	GardaWorld Federal Services	$31,262	$15.03	474
   6	Per Mar Security Services	$31,254	$15.03	132
   7	G4S	$30,759	$14.79	5
   8	Securitas AB	$30,620	$14.72	1,532
   9	DSI Security	$30,573	$14.70	196
   10	paragon Co.	$30,512	$14.67	158
   11	Metro One LPSG	$30,470	$14.65
   12	Talbots	$30,044	$14.44
   13	Denali	$29,299	$14.09	24

4. Writing a receptionist/security officer job description

   A receptionist/security officer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a receptionist/security officer job description:

   Receptionist/security officer job description example

   Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, provides rewarding careers that give you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace, you will be part of a team that fuels a culture that will reflect in our communities and customers we serve. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for all full-time positions!
   $15.50/ Hour
   
   DailyPay Option FullTime Hours
   
   Apply Today!!
   
   As a Security Officer, you will serve and safeguard clients in a range of industries such as Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Government and more.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and when appropriate, emergency response activities
   * Respond to incidents and critical situations in a calm, problem solving manner
   * Conduct regular and random patrols around the business and perimeter. Working environments and conditions may vary by client site.
   
   Minimum Requirements:
   
   * Be at least 18 years of age for unarmed roles; 21+ years of age for armed roles
   * Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or 5 years of verifiable experience
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Allied Universal will consider qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a drug screen to the extent permitted by law.
   * Licensing requirements are subject to state and/or local laws and regulations and may be required prior to employment.
   * A valid driver's license will be required for driving positions only
   
   Perks and Benefits:
   
   * Health insurance and 401k plans for full-time positions
   * Flexible part time and full-time schedules that fit with your personal life goals
   * Ongoing paid training programs and career growth opportunities
   * Employee discounts through our perks program to your favorite restaurants, entertainment venues and much more…
   
   Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right receptionist/security officer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your receptionist/security officer job on Zippia to find and recruit receptionist/security officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with receptionist/security officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new receptionist/security officer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the receptionist/security officer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new receptionist/security officer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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