Security Officer Cover Letter

Security Officer Cover Letter (With Examples)

Security officers work to keep areas safe and monitored at all times. They offer surveillance, monitor security footage, restrict access to areas, and more. They are important for loss prevention as well as ensuring safety.

Security officers may work in retail areas, office buildings, museums, or anywhere else that requires a security presence. They need to be adept at both managing the general public on a day-to-day level and planning for emergency procedures.

Security officer positions require a high level of trust by employers. Those looking to hire security officers typically prefer candidates with specific training and certifications, as well as prior security experience. Thus, it can sometimes be difficult to break into the field.

Regardless of your specific experience and training, a lot comes down to how you explain and present these assets, and yourself in general, to future employers. The security officer who can apply their skills and experience in the most convincing and impactful way relevant to the position will always have the upper hand.

In searching for a job, individualized cover letters are a great way to show off how good you are at presenting yourself and applying your experience. Cover letters allow you to explain upfront how exactly you fit into this specific role, and what makes you a great security officer more generally.

In this article, we’ll run through the steps to creating a perfect cover letter for a security officer position. We’ll quickly explain the parts you need to include, what skills to emphasize for security officers, and some helpful examples to aid you in your writing process.

Parts of a Security Officer Cover Letter

When it comes to applying for jobs, the writing process can be broken down into a few key parts. Luckily, these parts are standardized across nearly all job titles, so you will only need to learn this one format. It contains the following parts:

• Salutation/greeting line. After a header, which will include your full name and all contact information, your greeting should be the very first thing written on the page. In most cases, this will write “Dear,” followed by an honorific such as Ms., Mr., or Mx. and the receiver’s last name.

  If you are on friendly terms with the receiver or if you are applying to a less formal workplace, you can address the receiver by their first name.

• Opening paragraph. Always begin the actual content of your letter with a statement on why you are writing, to avoid any confusion. Your opening should clearly state the position you are applying for, and perhaps mention how you found out about this open position for further clarification.

  Discuss your general qualifications for this position, and consider emphasizing why you would like to work for this specific organization.

• Body Paragraphs. Your body paragraphs are there to do the heavy lifting of explaining why you are a perfect fit for this security role. Tailor your experience towards the duties described in the job posting, and focus on how you can serve the organization rather than how the organization might serve you.

• Closing Paragraph. Your closing paragraph will end the letter strategically to both bring the letter to a polite end and reinforce your interest in the position. Be sure to thank the reader, include information about any additional documents, and end with a “call to action” that prompts them to move forward with the process.

• Complimentary closing lines. At the very end of your letter, after the main contents, include a closing phrase followed by your name and/or digital signature. Something like “Sincerely,” “Best,” or “Regards,” will work just fine. Complimentary closes are necessary for following the guidelines of proper professional letter writing.

Whatever design and formatting you choose to have for this cover letter should be tasteful, minimal, and consistent throughout. Always use the same formatting on your resume as you use as on your cover letter. Keep the cover letter concise and easy-to-read at one-page maximum. The key is to pack as much info into as little space as you can.

Security Officer Cover Letter Opening

The opening paragraph of your cover letter explains who you are and why you are writing, in a somewhat general way. It’s important to cover these bases upfront to avoid any confusion.

After your greeting and header, which for most security officer positions should be kept formal to set the tone for your letter, you’ll use the first sentence of your first paragraph to introduce yourself. Give a general introduction and state which position you are applying to.

Don’t re-state your name, as they’ll already be seeing that in your header, but just give a small, relevant piece of info about who you are.

The reason you’re writing this letter is to land a specific job. This is why it’s of the utmost importance to make your intention to apply to this specific job known. You want to make sure this point lands and is remembered by the hiring manager.

Your first paragraph is also a space where you would want to mention how you found out about this position. However, remember that you have limited space and be brief in your explanation. If it’s obvious where you found out about this position, such as if you are applying through a job board, it’s not necessary to mention this.

That said, there are some cases where you should always mention how you heard about a position: cases in which an inside employee referred you to the position. It might also be beneficial to mention your prior experience or relationship with this organization if it is compelling.

What you’re going to want to remember above all else is that your cover letter opening is where you draw in the hiring manager and give them a good reason to keep reading. Opening lines like “I am writing to apply to…” are generic. For hiring managers processing large volumes of applications, eyes may glaze over at the mere sight of that sentence.

Here’s an example of how you might begin your cover letter for a security officer position, after the initial greeting:

Security Officer Cover Letter Body

The body paragraphs are your space to dig into the details of why you are the perfect candidate for this position. Confidence is key, so bring confidence in your work life and experience and own your skills and achievements.

Your body paragraph is going to hold the majority of what might be considered the most important part of your cover letter: your details and explanations on your skills and experience. The way you describe what it is you’ve done and the knowledge you hold can have a big impact on how others view your experience. Don’t take this for granted.

As much as you are able, re-state the requirements and qualifications listed in the job posting in a way that explains how you align with these. Try to use the exact language or keywords the employer used in their posting to ensure that your application doesn’t get passed over by any kind of software that may be used to screen applicants.

However, you don’t have the space to list every single thing you’ve ever done or learned professionally. Nor does the hiring manager want to read that upfront. Your attached resume will do the work of itemizing your experiences.

The cover letter is intended to do the work of highlighting your biggest accomplishments as they relate to the job posting. If hiring managers need or want any further information, they will contact you.

For your body paragraphs, the most important fact to remember is that you are writing to convince someone that you can help them with something they need. Identify this need and explain why you are the perfect person to help.

When it comes to security officer cover letters, you’ll want to keep it simple and focused. Focus on your key skills, experiences, and responsibilities at your current position.

Here’s an example of what the body paragraphs of your security officer cover letter may look like:

Security Officer Cover Letter Closing

Use the closing of your letter to tie everything together and explain how you’ll follow up. You’ve gotten past the hardest part, which is getting them to read the contents of your letter, so it's time to show your professionalism and good attitude with your closing paragraph. You know they are at least interested, so now you can put a little pressure on them to take the next steps.

In your final paragraph include a “call to action”, which is a request that you make for them to take some sort of action. This could be something like asking them to call to schedule a meeting, or telling them you look forward to hearing back from them. Anything that lets them know you are eagerly awaiting (and expecting) response without being over-confident or pushy.

Thank the hiring manager in your closing paragraph for taking the time to read your cover letter, and for their consideration of your application. They likely have a lot of reading to get through, and it shows serious politeness to recognize the labor they are putting in on your behalf and show gratitude for it.

After you’ve written the body of your letter, include an appropriate, professional, complimentary close to end things nicely. Attach any additional documents, and you’re ready to send them in.

A good closing for a security officer cover letter will look something like this:

Example of a Security Officer Cover Letter

When you put together all of the different parts and pieces of your security officer cover letter, it’ll look something like this: