Bodyguard Resume: Guide with Free Examples & Template

As a Bodyguard, you’re used to having someone’s back or looking after an establishment. Let us have your back this time. Our resume templates can help you create a job application that will impress any hiring manager.

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Harrison Howe
Written by
Harrison Howe
Career Writer
Updated on January 16, 2024

In the acclaimed 1992 movie The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner’s character (Frank Farmer) as the title role is sought out to protect a superstar actress/singer played by Whitney Houston. If you are familiar with the film, you know the love, adventure, and thrills that unfold throughout the story.

While your own bodyguard career might not play out as grandly and epically as the one depicted in this movie, the idea of protecting a public figure is alluring to you and you’re ready to take that first step to serve and protect.

That first step is likely going to involve generating a strong bodyguard resume.

In order to create a door-opening resume, be sure to ask yourself:

  • What information do I need to include in my resume objective or summary?
  • How do I list my duties efficiently on a resume to show my experience and skills?
  • Which additional sections might support my application?

Whether you’re looking for work as a bodyguard or any other type of security role, you’ll find resume examples, tips, and other information here that’s invaluable to the writing of your own document.

You’ll also find our free online resume builder is a great tool to get you started.

From downloadable resume templates to various resume examples, we have everything you need to help you every step of the way.

Bodyguard Resume Sample

Before you stand guard, take the time to review a detailed bodyguard resume example so you can get a clear picture of how your document should look.

Resume Example
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[Kevin Farmer]

[Security Professional]

[Chicaho, IL | 555-555-5555 | KFarmer@randomemail.com]

>> Summary <<

Focused, dedicated Security Professional with more than 10 years of experience protecting high-status individuals and corporate assets. Successfully managed team of 12 security officials, overseeing numerous investigations, identifying security risks, and implementing safety and protection programs for clients, some of which included Grammy award-winning singers and Oscar-winning actors during stage and movie promotion tours. Strong background in military training and law enforcement and demonstrable analytical, problem-solving, and crisis management skills. Exceptional physical fitness and ability to remain on high alert to provide coverage against threats of any kind.

>> Experience <<

Personal Bodyguard

09/2020 to Current

Marron Protective Services, Coral Gables, FL

• Provided escort services for high-profile clients in areas of politics, entertainment, and corporate management, including two award-winning actors and a Grammy award-winning singer.

• Protected clients against unruly fans, violent onlookers, and harassing individuals.

• Trained team of six guards in areas of self-defense, risk assessment, and crisis response.

• Developed and implemented violent attack response program later adopted by several agencies in the Miami area.

• Performed roles of driver, personal assistant, and safety manager for clients as needed.

Security Director

03/2014 to 08/2020

Spector Industries, Miami, FL

• Updated security surveillance system to monitor visitors entering and exiting facility.

• Designed and implemented employee safety program, resulting in a 60% decrease in workplace accidents.

• Introduced emergency response and preparedness programs, including disaster recovery practices.

• Implemented monitoring systems for manufacturing area, resulting in 67% decrease in employee theft.

• Oversaw internal investigations in areas of theft, employee violence, and accidents.

• Conducted ongoing assessments to ensure adherence to government security regulations.

• Managed and trained security staff. Introduced new training program resulting in 20% increase in retention.

Security Guard

07/2012 to 02/2014

Kemp Manufacturing, Miami, FL

• Patrolled facilities by foot and vehicle 4-5 times during each 8-hour shift, resulting in a reduction of theft occurrences by 23%.

• Monitored interior and exterior surveillance cameras in production area, break room, and two parking lots, identifying and reporting unauthorized vehicles and visitors.

• Performed checkups on security systems and surveillance equipment twice per week, completing any maintenance as needed.• Implemented electronic reporting system, reducing paperwork by 93% and increasing same-day shift report completion by 38%.

>> Education <<

Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice, 2014

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 2011

University of Central Florida, Orange County, FL

>> Skills <<

  • Critical thinking
  • Negotiation
  • Problem solving
  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Attention to detail

>> Certifications <<

  • Government Security Clearance
  • Security Guard License
  • Conceal Carry Permit
  • Martial Arts Black Belt

A bodyguard resume like this could help put you in the lead for a job protecting the next Whitney Houston!

Secure the Right Format for Your Bodyguard Resume

They say it takes seven seconds to make a good first impression, whether you’re doing it in person or with your resume.

Since a hiring manager will only spend seven seconds scanning your bodyguard resume, you have to make sure that it looks as good as it can. It starts with your resume’s format.

Is your work history in reverse chronological order? Is the font clear and legible? Do job titles and other important information appear in bold? Is there the proper amount of white space to make the document easy to scan?

💡top tip

Saving your bodyguard resume as a PDF file is a good idea so it retains its layout; however, some employers may not accept PDF files, so be sure to check for proper format whenever you submit your resume for consideration.

Guard against a quick turn-down by ensuring that your bodyguard resume layout is exactly what a hiring manager is looking for.

Use our resume templates, conveniently downloadable in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, to make sure you’ve got the formatting down right.

A Strong Summary or Objective Can Make or Break a Bodyguard Resume

Your good first impression starts with a professional resume summary or career objective.

Be sure to use keywords related to the security industry to describe your achievements and responsibilities in the summary or objective. If you’ve neutralized “potential threats”, “minimized risks”, ensured “safety”, or “protected” clients, by all means inject these resume action verbs and phrases into your summary or objective.

Other strong resume action verbs you might use include: “monitor”, “assess”, “defend”, “analyze”, “collaborate”, “investigate”, “intervene”, “detect”, and “resolve”.

You might also highlight a career achievement or two at this point in your bodyguard resume. Maybe you have implemented a security program that directly resulted in a 15% decrease in theft or introduced a safety practice that led to a 30% decrease in workplace accidents—these types of measurable successes can catch the eye of a hiring manager and compel them to further study your bodyguard resume.

Wrong ❌

Experienced Personal Bodyguard providing services to various clients. Ability to maintain awareness of surroundings to remain vigilant for potential confrontations. Strong attention to detail and crisis management skills. Ability to employ successful crowd control techniques and skilled in use of self-defense weapons, including pepper spray and batons.

Not entirely terrible, but there’s a distinct lack of bodyguard resume keywords such as “protection”, “security”, or “safety”, and no real measure of any specific successes or achievements. Yes, you’re experienced, but how much experience do you have? Are you Frank Farmer from The Bodyguard or Clifford Peache from the comedy My Bodyguard?

Right ✅

Focused, hardworking Security Professional with more than eight years’ experience delivering exceptional protection services, security monitoring, and safety practices for several high-profile individuals and corporations. Highly skilled in self-defense techniques, martial arts, and crowd control practices. Ability to assess and detect threats, monitor suspicious activity, and minimize risks by maintaining awareness and attention to detail when accompanying clients at public events and locations. Designed and implemented global security operations for top international manufacturer, leading to an 85% reduction in criminal targeting of manufacturer’s product shipments and 56% reduction in insurance costs.

You’re clearly the Rambo of bodyguards!

But even if you’ve never neutralized a threat or minimized a risk, you can still create an effective bodyguard resume objective to show that you’re prepared to serve and protect.

Bodyguard Resume Sample Objective

Let’s take a look at some example resume objectives for bodyguard roles. This type of introduction is more suited to candidates without experience in the sector.

Wrong ❌

Seeking a challenging position as a Bodyguard where I can apply strong skillset in areas of management, decision making, crisis response, and observance. Bringing five years’ experience as an EMT, where I was required to quickly assess and administer treatment for injuries, illnesses, and traumas. Responsible for patient transport. CPR and BLS certified. Completed Marine Basic Training and served in U.S. Marine Corps, 2016 – 2020.

So, what do you do if you have no security or similar work experience? You can still highlight your skills and experiences in a career objective that might not make you the next Frank Farmer, but definitely shows your best qualities and qualifications for an entry-level role as a bodyguard or part of a security team.

Right ✅

Highly motivated individual with strong background in security seeking to employ exceptional analytical, observational, and problem solving skills to provide protection of individuals and property. Trained in martial arts and self-defense techniques. Full knowledge of security monitoring systems and safety protocols and proven ability to diffuse conflicts in role as school security guard. Military veteran with combat and weapons training.

Sounds like you’re more than capable of guarding the body of any celebrity or other high-end client.

Beef Up Your Bodyguard Resume Experience Section

Here’s where you get to secure all of the relevant experience information when it comes to your training, past experiences, and other facts that clearly demonstrate your ability to assume bodyguard duties.

Your past experience entries should appear in bulleted lists beneath each job title and employer in a subheading.

If you have no specific experience to match bodyguard job description resume details, highlight past responsibilities that most closely align with relevant duties.

For instance, if you worked as a retail cashier or salesperson, you might have been responsible for keeping the cash drawer safe or keeping an eye out for shoplifters. If you were a hotel doorman, perhaps you monitored guests as they arrived and departed the hotel, or escorted female guests or employees to their cars at night.

If you were in a related field, such as working as a security guard, be sure to include details that will underscore your ability to perform the duties of a bodyguard.

Wrong ❌

Security Guard

Cobbs-Devaney

9/2020 – 7/2022

  • Monitored security cameras
  • Patrolled company property
  • Checked in visitors
  • Filed safety reports

Not exactly the bodyguard resume example that will excite many hiring managers.

Try this:

Right ✅

Security Guard

Cobbs-Devaney

9/2020 – 7/2022

  • Monitored security cameras and reviewed CCTV footage as needed to deter criminal activity; conducted 17 investigations into theft and break-ins, successfully closing 14 of these investigations
  • Patrolled premises by foot and in vehicle, reducing occurrences of warehouse break-ins by 33%
  • Managed security team of three guards on 4 p.m. – midnight shift
  • Generated and submitted shift reports on a daily basis

Here, you’ve clearly demonstrated your managerial, reporting, analytical, and observational skills which are all applicable to the role of being a bodyguard.

Reflect Your Training in the Education Section of Your Bodyguard Resume

Whether you’ve earned a formal degree or engaged in any other type of training, such as military or police academy training, be sure to add these details to your bodyguard resume.

For a college degree, list the degree title, the name of the school, city and state, and finally the date. Bold the name of the degree.

If you served in any military branch, make a heading titled Military Experience. List the branch, your title, and dates you served.

You could add a bulleted list beneath this identifying your duties and specific type of training you received.

Right ✅

U.S. Army

June 2016 – July 2020

Security Forces Staff Sergeant

  • Oversaw security and surveillance operations for base headquarters
  • Supervised and trained 30+ military police and security specialist trainees
  • Prepared and updated security procedures, protocols, and relevant documentation
  • Performed risk analyses relating to emergency situations to improve response times and outcomes
  • Assessed security monitoring systems for improvement recommendations

💡top tip

In many instances, you might be required to be first aid and CPR certified to become a bodyguard. You can list these certifications in the Education section or in “Other” sections as will be discussed later.

If you have no college degree or training background, you could include high school information on a bodyguard resume. In this case, add in as much pertinent information as you can.

Right ✅

Immaculata – La Salle High School, Miami, FL

High School Diploma

2016 – 2020

  • Focused on courses in civics
  • Member of school track team, 2017 – 2020
  • GPA: 3.9

Conduct a Thorough Surveillance of Your Skillset for Your Bodyguard Resume

Sure, you’re familiar with security equipment, have firearms training, and can manage a crisis. But do you truly have what it takes to be a bodyguard?

This is where your skills come into play.

Hard skills like patrolling, martial arts, and conflict management are among those you might list. And while there is nothing soft about being a bodyguard, soft skills are also important, such as attention to detail and communicating effectively.

If you’re knowledgeable about security cameras, alarm systems, security clearance systems, and other computer and electronic systems used in this field, by all means add them here.

So, the skills section of your bodyguard resume might look something like this:

Soft Skills

  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Observance
  • Analytical
  • Confidentiality
  • Attention to detail
  • Leadership
  • Balance between teamwork and ability to work alone
  • Agility
  • Adaptability
  • Patience

Hard Skills

  • Marksmanship
  • Weapons training
  • Patrolling
  • Incident reporting
  • Physically fitness
  • Conflict resolution
  • Risk management
  • Crisis intervention
  • Hand-to-hand combat
  • Knowledge in security cameras, fire alarms, security clearance, and Microsoft Office Suite

Let our modern resume templates help to make sure your bodyguard resume has the look that will impress hiring managers.

Guard Against an Incomplete Bodyguard Resume by Adding Other Sections

Let’s look at some extra sections that you might add to your resume, such as “Professional Certifications”, “Awards & Achievements”, or “Additional Activities.”

Do you hold licensure as a security guard? Have a concealed carry permit? Completed an advanced firearms training course or active shooter training? Participate in MMA tactical/Krav Maga training?

You can add things like volunteering in a relevant role, extracurricular activities, hobbies, professional association memberships, conference attendances, and foreign languages you speak.

Add these under relevant subtitles in bullet points, adding dates and locations where relevant.

Key Takeaway

After you have gathered all of the necessary information for your resume and made sure that you’ve built a strong document, you’re ready to fill the lead role of The Bodyguard II.

Remember, our free online resume builder is available for free, so if you’re unsure about how to start, you can simply access this tool and begin building your document.

To produce a powerful bodyguard resume, be sure that it checks off the following:

  • It presents the correct format, with bold headings, legible font, and the right amount of white space.
  • It strongly introduces you with a detailed summary or objective.
  • It emphasizes your ability to assume bodyguard duties by underscoring relevant experience in the work history section.
  • Your relevant training, professional certifications, and any formal degree or degrees earned are clearly listed.
  • You present a well-rounded skillset that breaks down your hard, soft, and technical skills.
  • Adds additional information such as other training, certificates, memberships, achievements, or any other details that make you a strong bodyguard candidate.

You can always compare your completed document with our many resume examples so you know that your resume has everything it needs to impress hiring managers and recruiters.

Serve up the right bodyguard resume, and you’re sure to be protecting the top entertainers, politicians, corporate executives, and other notable figures before you know it.

Free Resume Templates

Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder .