nature of the beast!

[sunray71]

Over last couple of days there seems to be alot of people whinging about its not fair that am overlooked because of this or that, unfortunatly that is the nature of the beast. This can be very frustrating to alot of people starting in the business,there is alot of people on this site willing to help and give advice and also people who are legends in their own lunchtime. The best thing to do is put your best foot forward listern to the good advise and do your own homework aswell.At the end of the day your the one who has to sell yourself its a sad fact that not everyone will be suited to this line of work regardless of sia license.

[barbaraanne]

I've settled for a job that isn't CP work because I've struggled to get my foot in the door but as a good friend of mine said be good at that and work up from there. At least I'm building my reputation and actually really enjoy what I'm doing and gaining some experience at the same time. Everbody has to start somewhere and as I'm not ex-mil or police I knew I'd be up against it. Nothing's handed to you on a plate so I just grabbed what I could get at the time and make the best of it

[covert munkey]

That is good advice Barbara.

Very honest.

[Paul999]

Annoying as it may be, I think that whoever is paying the wages should be able to specify who/what they want for a specific position.

It may exclude some individuals that may be up to the job, but thats what the company chooses.

I'm not a veteran of the industry but the way I see it is make yourself as well qualified as you can and then get out there and convince people you are the right bod for the job.


Regards,
Paul.

[Roadhog]

The Close Protection industry can be a bitch to get into fully. For new guys starting out, remember this the sia licence is the BARE MINIMUM, it does not give you a right to get work handed to you. Yes the domestic CP market is short of guys, but companies will look at the person with the licence- if you're 20 and with a brand new licence, to be honest I wouldn't employ you, you don't have the experience.

Unfair I hear you cry, yes it is, but look at it this way- CP can be a life or death business, surely the client deserves the best. Put yourself in the clients shoes, there is a possible threat to your life or the lives of your family. You hire a company to provide security and you get someone who is young and inexperienced. You ask the company is this person any good, you get the response..." Well he's got an SIA licence, so he's a top notch bodyguard." Would you retain that company to provide security for you?

Often it is not the companies that are against hiring you, but they are held to account by their clients. If they put young and inexperienced CPOs to protect a client, they will lose work. If the client wants a certain type of CPO then he will not accept anything else, and for the most part the phrase "ex-military" gives a client a huge sense of comfort, rightly or wrongly.

The only way to fight this is to make yourself more employable, do extra courses- emergency medicine, surveillance, driving, maybe go to a butler course- why you ask, because it teaches presentation and etiquette, something VIPs love. The more courses you do, the more people you meet. Often networking will land you your first job, not applying to companies directly.

I'm sorry to say it, but for new CPO guys who can't get work, instead of worrying about ex-military guys getting work and you don't think about what positives military guys bring. Maybe if you're young enough look at serving a few years yourself, there you'll make friends who will be with you for life. The military also have their own networking opportunities, regimental associations etc.

[covert munkey]

Thanks Roadhog,

I think you've summed up this debate really well. By giving the recruitment/private company perspective you have cleared up why maybe some companies request Ex mil. somply becuase if its what the client wants then thats what he/she will get...simple...supply and demand.

Thanks.

CM