The security guard CV: certifications first
Private security is a regulated profession in France: without the right credentials, an application gets rejected outright. Your CV should therefore put your valid certifications front and centre, at the very top, even before your experience.
The cards and certifications to list first
- CNAPS professional card: mandatory to work (the CNAPS is the French private security regulator). List it with its expiration date.
- CQP APS (or TFP APS): the core qualification for a prevention and security officer.
- SST (workplace first aid certificate): in high demand, keep it current.
- SSIAP 1/2/3: for fire safety (public venues, high-rise buildings). Specify the level.
- Additional certifications: H0B0 (electrical safety awareness), pat-downs/event security, K9 handler approval where applicable.
Match the posting's requirements exactly: a job in a store, at events or on an industrial site doesn't call for the same credentials.
The skills to highlight
- Surveillance: patrols, CCTV monitoring, security control room, spotting anomalies.
- Access control: screening, checks, managing entries and exits, pat-downs (if certified).
- Prevention and response: conflict management, first aid, evacuation procedures, writing daily activity logs and incident reports.
- People skills: composure, vigilance, professional appearance, customer focus.
Good example: "Current CNAPS card and CQP APS, valid SST. Surveillance and access control at a shopping mall (300+ visitors a day), conflict management, daily activity logs."
Tailor it to the sector
Retail stores, events, industrial sites, fire safety officer (SSIAP): duties and credentials vary. A readable, clean CV gets through applicant tracking systems better than a graphic template. See why Canva CVs cause problems.
Test your security guard CV
CVpass compares your CV to the job posting, spots missing keywords (cards, certifications, duties) and suggests clear rewrites.
FAQ
Which certifications should go on a security guard CV?
The CNAPS professional card (mandatory) and the CQP/TFP APS, with their expiration dates, then the SST and, for fire safety, the SSIAP. Put them at the very top of your CV.
How do I write an entry-level security guard CV?
Highlight your credentials (CQP APS, professional card, SST) and your qualities (composure, punctuality, professional appearance), plus any job involving contact with the public. See writing a CV with no experience.
Should a security guard CV include a photo?
It isn't required. If you add one, keep it simple and professional. More details in should you put a photo on your CV.
Read next
- No-experience CV: nailing your first one
- CV keywords: what recruiters look for
- Should you put a photo on your CV?
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