# Security guard interview questions and how to answer them

Security guard interviews ask what you would do about an intruder, how you calm someone down without force, how you write an incident report, and how you stay alert on a long quiet shift. Show that your job is to observe, report and de-escalate, that you call the police when it's beyond you, and that your reports are factual and complete.

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence. Updated 2026-10-22. Source: https://www.orecci.com/speaking-coach/interview-questions-by-role/security-guard/

## What the security supervisor is checking

Security interviews are usually with a site supervisor or a security company's hiring manager. They aren't looking for someone tough. They're looking for someone calm, observant and honest, who follows site instructions and writes things down properly. A guard who starts fights or exaggerates in reports is a liability.

What you're allowed to do, such as whether you can detain anyone, depends on local law, your license and the site's rules. In interviews, say you'd act within your training and site policy; don't describe physical tactics.

## The intruder scenario

*"You find someone in a restricted area after hours."*

Example answer:

> "I'd keep a safe distance and call it in on the radio first, so control knows where I am. Then I'd approach in a calm, non-threatening way and ask who they are and how I can help. They might be a lost contractor. If they have authorization, I'd check it and log it. If they don't, I'd ask them to leave with me and escort them out. If they refuse, act threateningly, or I see signs of a break-in, I'd step back, observe, and call the police, then write it all up."

The order is what they're scoring: **report in, approach safely, ask, verify, escort or escalate, document.**

## De-escalating without force

Example answer:

> "At a concert venue, a man was refused entry and started shouting at the bag check. I moved him a few steps away from the line so he didn't have an audience. I kept my voice lower than his, used short sentences, and told him what I could do, which was get a supervisor to look at his ticket, and what I couldn't. I kept my hands visible and stood at an angle rather than squared up. He calmed down once he felt heard and had a next step."

| Instead of | Try |
| --- | --- |
| "Calm down!" | "I can see you're frustrated. Let's sort this out." |
| Standing face to face | Standing at an angle, with space between you |
| Arguing about the rules | "Here's what I can do right now." |
| Touching their arm to move them | "Can we step over here so we can talk?" |
| Threatening police straight away | Offering a choice first, then calling if needed |

## Incident reports

Interviewers often ask you to walk through one, because reports may be read by managers, insurers or the police.

Example answer:

> "I write it as soon as I can, while it's fresh. I include the date, time and exact location, who was involved with descriptions, what I saw and heard in order, what I did, who I contacted and when, and how it ended. I stick to facts: 'He shouted and pushed the door,' not 'He was crazy.' If I'm quoting someone, I write their exact words in quotes. Then I read it back once to check times and names."

## Staying alert on long shifts

Example answer:

> "I treat patrols as the main job, not a break from sitting. I vary my route and timing so it's not predictable, and I note anything different from the last round. Between patrols I keep moving, drink water and avoid heavy meals in the middle of the night. I don't use my phone for anything but work on post. If I ever felt I was losing focus, I'd tell my supervisor rather than risk missing something."

Expect *"What if you found a coworker asleep?"* Wake them, make sure the post is covered, and report it as your site requires. Don't promise to keep it quiet.

## How to prepare

1. Write two stories: a time you calmed someone down and a time you followed a procedure under pressure.
2. Practice the intruder and refusal-to-leave scenarios out loud in order, until the steps come without thinking.
3. Write a sample incident report from a real or imagined event and read it aloud to check it's factual.
4. Rehearse de-escalation with someone pushing back. Speaking Coach can play the angry visitor, at Tough pressure, and respond to what you actually say.

The general version is on [how would you handle an angry customer](/speaking-coach/interview-questions/how-would-you-handle-an-angry-customer/).

## Questions people ask

### Do I need a security license?

In many places, yes. Requirements vary by country and state, so check your local licensing authority and mention any license or training you hold.

### What if I have no security experience?

Use jobs where you dealt with the public, rules or conflict: retail, hospitality, door work, customer service. Calm and reliable is what they're hiring.

### Will they ask about using force?

Sometimes. Say you'd use communication first, follow your training and site policy, and call the police when a situation is beyond your role.

### How do I answer "Why security?"

Give a real reason, such as liking responsibility, keeping people safe, or being good under pressure, and connect it to the site type you're applying for. See [why do you want this job](/speaking-coach/interview-questions/why-do-you-want-this-job/).

### Should I mention night shift experience?

Yes. Say what helped you stay alert and reliable, and confirm your availability clearly.

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