Security guard interview questions, with a scoring guide
Protects people and property through access control, patrols, alarm response and clear reporting. Here are 22 questions for a security guard interview. Each comes with a follow-up and a 1 to 5 scoring guide so you can compare candidates fairly.
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Questions specific to the security guard role
Role-specific
Someone without a badge tries to follow an employee through a secured door. What do you do?
Follow-up: What if they say they're late for a meeting?
1 WeakLets them in to avoid a scene.
3 SolidStops them and asks for ID.
5 StrongStops them politely, verifies who they are and who they're visiting, signs them in or escorts them per policy, and logs it.
Role-specific
Tell me about a time you had to ask someone to leave or follow a rule they didn't like.
Follow-up: What did you say to them?
1 WeakArgued or got physical.
3 SolidRepeated the rule.
5 StrongStayed calm, explained clearly, gave options, kept a safe distance, called for backup or police when needed, and documented it.
Role-specific
Walk me through how you write an incident report.
Follow-up: What do you leave out?
1 WeakOpinions, or missing key details.
3 SolidCovers what happened.
5 StrongFacts in order: who, what, when, where, witnesses and actions taken, with no opinions, finished before the end of shift.
Role-specific
An alarm goes off during a 3 a.m. patrol. Walk me through what you do.
Follow-up: When do you call 911?
1 WeakIgnores it, or goes in alone without telling anyone.
3 SolidGoes to check the area.
5 StrongChecks the panel and cameras, notifies the supervisor or monitoring centre, approaches safely, calls emergency services when needed, and logs it.
Behavioural questions by skill
Behavioural questions ask about something the person actually did. Past behaviour is a better guide than "what would you do" answers alone.
Honesty and integrity
Does the right thing, including when nobody's looking.
Tell me about a time you were asked to do something at work that you felt wasn't right.
Follow-up: What happened afterwards?
1 WeakDid it without question.
3 SolidDid it but felt uneasy.
5 StrongRaised it respectfully and did the right thing.
Describe a time you handled cash, stock or private information. How did you keep it secure?
Follow-up: Did anything ever go missing?
1 WeakVague answer.
3 SolidFollowed the basics.
5 StrongSpecific precautions and an example.
Tell me about a time you admitted you didn't know something.
Follow-up: What did you do next?
1 WeakNever has.
3 SolidAdmitted it when pressed.
5 StrongAdmitted it early and found the answer.
Attention to detail
Gets the small things right.
Tell me about a time you caught a mistake before it caused a problem.
Follow-up: How did you spot it?
1 WeakNo example.
3 SolidCaught one by chance.
5 StrongCaught it because of a habit or check they always do.
Walk me through how you check your own work before calling it done.
Follow-up: Has that check ever caught something?
1 WeakThey don't.
3 SolidA quick look over.
5 StrongA clear routine that fits the task.
Describe a task where getting the small details right really mattered.
Follow-up: What would have happened if they were wrong?
1 WeakCan't name one.
3 SolidNames one, but light on how.
5 StrongExplains the details, why they mattered, and how they got them right.
Handling conflict
Deals with friction directly and fairly.
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker. How was it resolved?
Follow-up: How is that working relationship now?
1 WeakBlames the other person; still unresolved.
3 SolidResolved when a manager stepped in.
5 StrongRaised it directly and privately and fixed the working relationship.
Describe a time you got criticism you thought was unfair.
Follow-up: What did you do with it?
1 WeakGot defensive and stayed upset.
3 SolidAccepted it quietly.
5 StrongAsked questions, took what was useful, and moved on.
Tell me about a time you had to work closely with someone difficult.
Follow-up: What did you do to make it work?
1 WeakAvoided them or clashed.
3 SolidTolerated them.
5 StrongFound a way to work together well.
Communication
Explains clearly and keeps people in the loop.
Tell me about a time you had to explain something complicated to someone who was new to it.
Follow-up: How did you know they understood?
1 WeakCan't explain clearly, even in the interview.
3 SolidExplained it but didn't check understanding.
5 StrongUsed plain words or examples and checked they got it.
Describe a time you had to give bad news to a customer, coworker or manager.
Follow-up: What did you say first?
1 WeakAvoided it or left it to someone else.
3 SolidDelivered it, but bluntly or late.
5 StrongDelivered it early and clearly, with a next step.
Tell me about a time a misunderstanding caused a problem at work. What did you learn?
Follow-up: What do you do differently now?
1 WeakBlames the other person entirely.
3 SolidFixed the issue with little reflection.
5 StrongFixed it and changed how they communicate, such as confirming in writing.
Reliability and follow-through
Shows up, keeps commitments, owns mistakes.
Tell me about a time you committed to something at work and it became hard to follow through. What did you do?
Follow-up: What was the result, and what would you do the same next time?
1 WeakLet it slide without telling anyone.
3 SolidFollowed through, but only after reminders or with a late heads-up.
5 StrongFlagged the risk early, adjusted the plan, and delivered or arranged cover.
Describe a stretch where you had to be consistent with early starts, long shifts or a tight schedule. How did you manage it?
Follow-up: What did you do on the days it was hardest?
1 WeakVague answer with no clear routine or example.
3 SolidShowed up reliably but relied on luck more than planning.
5 StrongSpecific habits that kept them on time, with an example to back it up.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake that affected someone else's work. What happened next?
Follow-up: How did the other person find out?
1 WeakHid it, blamed others, or can't recall any mistakes.
3 SolidOwned it when asked and fixed the immediate problem.
5 StrongRaised it right away, fixed it, and changed something so it wouldn't happen again.
Safety and care
Works safely and looks out for others.
Tell me about a time you noticed something unsafe at work. What did you do?
Follow-up: What happened after you reported it?
1 WeakIgnored it, or has never noticed anything.
3 SolidMentioned it to someone.
5 StrongMade it safe if they could, reported it, and followed up.
Describe a time you were asked to cut a corner on safety to save time.
Follow-up: What did you say?
1 WeakWent along with it.
3 SolidHesitated, then did it.
5 StrongSaid no respectfully and suggested a safe way to keep things moving.
What safety habits do you follow every shift without thinking about them?
Follow-up: Where did you pick those up?
1 WeakNone come to mind.
3 SolidA generic answer such as 'wear PPE'.
5 StrongSpecific habits that fit the kind of work.
Prescreen questions for security guard candidates
Ask these on a five-minute phone call or send them as a form before you book interviews.
- Are you legally entitled to work in Canada? (Yes / No)
- Which days and times are you available to work?
- When could you start?
- What pay are you looking for?
- What interests you about this job?
- Do you have a valid security guard licence for this province? (Yes / Applied, waiting for it / No)
- Do you have current Standard First Aid with CPR? (Yes / No)
- This role involves standing, walking patrols indoors and outside in all weather. Can you do that, with or without accommodation? (Yes / No)
How to score the answers
- Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order. That's what makes scores comparable.
- Write down what they did, not your impression. "Closed alone on a Saturday and restocked for the morning" beats "seems reliable".
- Score each answer from 1 to 5 against the guide under the question. A 3 is a solid, acceptable answer.
- Average the scores and read the notes behind any big gap between interviewers.
- Check references on the areas where you're least sure.
Questions to avoid
In Canada, hiring questions should be about the job. Human rights laws protect people from being treated differently because of things like their age, family status, disability, religion, race, place of origin, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Stay away from questions like these:
- "How old are you?" or "When did you finish high school?"
- "Do you have kids?" or "Are you planning a family?"
- "Where are you from originally?" (You can ask: "Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?")
- "Do you have any health problems?" (You can ask: "This job involves [a real duty]. Can you do that, with or without accommodation?")
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by province.
Questions
What should I ask in a security guard interview?
Ask about the parts of the job that matter most: honesty and integrity, attention to detail, handling conflict, communication, plus role-specific questions such as "Someone without a badge tries to follow an employee through a secured door. What do you do?" Ask every candidate the same questions so you can compare them fairly.
How do I score a security guard interview?
Score each answer from 1 to 5 against a short guide that describes a weak, solid and strong answer. Score what the person actually did in their example, not how confident they sounded. Then average the scores and read the notes behind any big differences.
What should I ask before interviewing a security guard?
Use a short prescreen: work eligibility, availability, start date, pay expectations and the must-haves for the role, such as "Do you have a valid security guard licence for this province?"
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