Security Officer CV example

A Security Officer CV for South African employers: what to write, the duties and skills to list, a cover letter and tips.

Updated 29 October 2026 · By Tumelo Vincent Tau

1. An example profile

A short profile at the top of your CV says who you are and what work you want. Change it to fit your own experience:

2. Duties to list

Under each job like this in your work experience, list three to five of the duties you really did:

• Control access at gates and keep the visitors register
• Patrol the premises and check doors, windows and fences
• Monitor CCTV cameras and alarm systems
• Search vehicles and people according to company procedure
• Write occurrence book (OB) entries and incident reports
• Respond to alarms and emergencies and call the police when needed
• Hand over shifts with a full report

3. Skills and certificates

Skills employers look for in this job:

• PSIRA registration
• Access control
• Report writing
• Conflict handling

Also list, if you have them:

• PSIRA registration number and grade (E, D, C, B or A)
• Firearm competency certificate, if you apply for armed posts
• First aid and fire-fighting training
• Driver's licence (needed for patrol and armed response)

4. Tips for Security Officer jobs

• Put your PSIRA grade and registration number near the top. Most security employers check it first, and your registration must be current.
• Name the kinds of sites you guarded (shopping centre, mine, school, office park) and the type of work: access control, patrols, control room, armed response.
• Mention incidents you handled and reports you wrote, without private details.

5. An example cover letter

Send a short cover letter with your CV, naming the post and the reference number from the advert:

More help: how to write a cover letter, a CV with no work experience and job interview tips.