How Not to Be a bodyguard
The training facilities and classes available for aspiring bodyguards are available in mass. Whether you want to be a celebrity bodyguard, an executive security specialist or you’re hoping for a career one day in the secret service, someone out there is waiting to tell you how to do it. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it is important to know what behaviors and actions are not acceptable for a profession as a bodyguard.
One way to get yourself canned on your first job is to show up late. Just about every job requires you to be punctual, bodyguard jobs included. However, when you show up late for a protection job, you are not only making yourself late, you are missing out on valuable opportunities to ensure the safety and security of your client. Many bodyguards will arrive at a location ahead of the client in order to perform a security sweep and clear the location of unwanted photographers or possible safety threats. If you arrive late to a location, you may get there after your client does. This will open them up to any threat that may be there waiting for them.
Professionalism is key, so a lack of professionalism is a great way to get yourself fired, or never hired to begin with. Many bodyguards, particularly those that work in executive protection are surrounded by CEOs of multimillion dollar companies. It is essential for these individuals that their bodyguards look and act professional at all times. Their protection team is an extension of them, and a team member that does not know how to conduct himself in business situations reflects poorly on the client.
Bodyguards are meant to be invisible and blend in with the scene at any location. For this reason, a bodyguard should not dress in flashy clothes that draw attention to him and away from his client. Just like with behavior, the way a bodyguard looks can reflect onto the client they are protecting. A well dressed CEO in an Armani suit does not look very attractive being tailed by a bodyguard in casual attire or something that looks like they got it out of a bargain bin. Know your client, know how they will dress and for what occasions you should be prepared.
Another way to lose a perfectly good bodyguard job is by not knowing when to shut up. Bodyguards are privy to information that most people are not. They are let in on top secret deals being conducted, and even help their clients get out of some fairly sticky situation. That is why confidentiality is essential as a bodyguard. Some employment contracts come with a confidentiality agreement. Even if they do not, however, confidentiality is a very big part of what a bodyguard is there for. A celebrity bodyguard that is hired to protect the privacy of a movie star sees and learns things that normal people do not. They may be making money by turning around and spilling to the press, but it is almost a sure guarantee that their days as a bodyguard are over.
The basic keys of being a bodyguard are not very different from the essentials of any job. Be on time. Dress the part. Act like you belong there. If you are allowed to know privileged information, keep it that way. Even one mistake can cost you the job you are currently on, as well as other assignments. Celebrities, athletes, CEOs and anyone else that employs a bodyguard all have friends that they will spread the word to, whether it’s good or bad.
Source: http://www.positivearticles.com/blog