In previous columns I have discussed individual self-assessment of your personal style and soft skills that aid in development of a career plan and can help convey your message in a resume. You must also consider how to best convey your most relevant background. This issue addresses the range of operational experience and expertise that are often listed in position announcements in order for you to correlate these with your business acumen.
As a security recruitment specialist, I have collected and analyzed thousands of position announcements for roles including the senior most security executive, specialty functions, regional and investigative management as well as facility/site security leaders. These reviews, together with hundreds of hours of discussion with hiring authorities, have enabled my firm and me to compile a list of requested skills that is representative of the diversity of requirements across the security profession.
Starting with a 40,000-foot view, we have identified eight key experience categories relating to security risk and 192 program activities across all of these categories. A recent sample of 2,000 candidates identified the top three activities within each of the eight areas:
- Administrative
Strategic Planning
Policy Development & Implementation
Procedure/Guidelines Writing & Publication
- Brand Protection
Supply Chain Security Programs
Services Fraud & Compliance Programs
Anti-Counterfeiting Programs
- Cybersecurity
Threat, Intelligence & Vulnerability Management
Incident & Crisis Management
Risk & Compliance Management
- Human Capital
Training & Awareness Program Development
Executive Services – Key Employee Protection
Threats & Damage to Property / Facilities
- Investigations
Employee Misconduct – Compliance, Liability Ethics
Due Diligence – Vendors, Suppliers & Customers
Individual/Personnel Backgrounds
- Physical
Guard Force Management & Administration (Unarmed)
Physical Security Program Management
Cameras & Recording Devices
- Regulatory
Occupational Health & Safety Standards (OSHA)
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Resiliency & Incident Response
Crisis Management
Emergency Management
Disaster Recovery
There are a wide range of programs and processes that reside in each of the areas above, and, while the top three under each of the areas are identified here, there are additionally several hundred specific tactical processes to be found within the complete list of 192 sub-topics. It is important to note that while the top three represent the activities most frequently selected in each category by our candidate sample, these topics don’t necessarily correlate with those that are ranked at the highest level of demand from hiring authorities.
It is worth noting that a number of these activities do not necessarily sit within the security organization. Effective security risk mitigation may be best executed through influence and participation, not necessarily via ownership and control. Therefore, it is highly likely that someone within the security function should be involved at various levels regardless of where the activity resides.
Utilize the list here as a starting point to identify your operational and/or program experiences along with any gaps. It can play an integral part in your career planning strategy.
