Bodyguard Careers

Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the executive protection industry.

Dear Future Boss

Career Advice

Bet your glad to get the resumay I’ve attached to this letter
I gotta lot of experience doing this kind of stuff and you should call me next week when I got a phone. My last boss was a reel loser: I’m expcting, to make at least $1000/week.

Call me.

Joe Wannabea Bodyguard

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The above is an example of a very poorly-written cover letter. I realize this is a gross exaggeration, but I do want to point out problems with this letter, and some important omissions. Cover letters can help you get your foot in the door–so make sure to put your best foot forward!

[Read more…] about Dear Future Boss

Strike While the Iron is Hot

Career Advice

A bodyguard colleague of mine (and former NFL player) shared a story with me. It is a “success story” and I thought it important to share it with you.

My friend was returning from working a major sporting event out of town, where he’d been hired to work as a bodyguard. He flew home First Class. Being a sociable kind of guy, he decided to chat with the female passenger next to him. They talked throughout the flight and in the course of their conversation, he told her what it was he does for a living. My buddy is easy-going, warm and intelligent. By the end of the flight, he learned that this woman is the manager of a major television star. At the end of the flight, my buddy gives her his business card. It included his telephone and email address. A very short time later, she called him and he was hired to protect her television celebrity, who was stumping for one of the presidential candidates. He snagged a nice contract for a stretch of this year’s exciting campaign trail. He worked that contract, met lots of people, and is already out working another contract.

Now, some of you might be thinking “Wow, Lucky guy.” Remember, “Luck” is when opportunity and preparation meet. Let’s break this down to really understand why it is that my colleague is working so much:

1.  Put yourself in the best position to meet people who can hire you. i.e. fly first class! Go where the managers/agents/celebrities go. Most “power people” don’t fly coach.

2. “Strike while the iron is hot” Nothing attracts an employer so much as someone who is working. I know that sounds odd, but it’s true. Someone who is succeeding at what they do is desirable to an employer. You are also at your most confident when you’re either working, or have just completed an assignment. This is the time to find the next contract. It is more compelling to a potential employer to hear “I just finished working the Oscars” than “I’m not working right now.” (Be honest, though. Being untruthful will catch up with you.)

3. Be eager to talk with, and meet people. Don’t be afraid to tell people what it is you do. It’s an interesting profession–one that most people don’t know much about. If they do know something about your work, they will appreciate that you are warm, friendly and well-spoken! Don’t share personal information about clients or gossip. It’s unprofessional and reflects poorly on you.

4.  Print business cards, and have them with you at all times. Be sure you have your correct information and if you don’t have an email account, get one and check it every day, several times a day.

5. Have the courage to give people your business card–they may not need it, but may give it on to someone who does!

6.  While fulfilling your contract, be the best bodyguard they’ve ever worked with. Be prompt. Be attentive.Do your job better than anyone before you. Meet people. Talk to people. Hand out more cards. When you know it’s a short-term contract, be working to find the next contract. (See the second point “strike while the iron is hot.”)

It’s not just luck that gets you the job. Personality, timing, preparedness, perseverance and doing really good work on every job will get you the next  job!

–Hucky

Why Bodyguard?

Executive Protection Articles, Hucky's Favorites

“Hey, Hucky,” people ask, “why do you still use the term bodyguard?” Some visitors to the website have been giving me a bit of a hard time about the fact that I still use the word bodyguard, but there is a method to my madness! Let me explain.

The majority of the public does not know the up-to-date terminology for what we do. I know, the preferred job title is EPS (Executive Protection Specialist) or CPO (Close Protection Operative). The fact is, most people who are NOT in the business know the term “bodyguard” and that is what they will type in when they want to go online to find out more information. Google search engines recognize the word and this recognition means my website is ranked higher and thereby gets more traffic. More traffic means more job listings, more stories, more information and in general, more connectivity for all of us in this business.

For example, did you know that people in the film industry who work as crew (gaffers, lighting people, best boy, grips, production assistants) are said to work “below-the-line”? That’s an insider’s term for those positions. You can see how someone who isn’t an insider, who is trying to locate a film production assistant, let’s say, would search by “production assistant” rather than “below-the-line talent.”

Shakespeare said “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and I’d like to state. “An EPS by any other name would still save your life.” It’s just a word. I know it’s archaic and brings to mind knuckle-headed over-sized lunks in black suits and sunglasses, but sadly, the rest of the world just hasn’t caught on to the new terminology. Until they do, I will continue to use it in my stories and articles, interchanging it as often as possible with the preferred nomenclature. With any luck at all, the word “bodyguard” will go the way of the dinosaur.

True Bodyguard Stories #6 The Joker

True Bodyguard Stories

THE JOKER

In the 1980s I had a buddy who worked for a Mega Pop-Star. Being on the road for long stretches of time can be fun, but it also can get pretty monotonous and dull. It is not at all uncommon to play pranks and pull practical jokes just to entertain yourself. This is a story Charlie told me about his time on the road and let it serve as a warning: Think Before You Prank.

Charlie was one of the biggest cut-ups you’d ever want to meet. He was in charge of transportation on this tour. He’d just arrived in Los Angeles and checked into his room–the prestigious and well-appointed Westwood Marquis. Charlie decides to kick back on the bed to watch a little t.v. He’s leaning a little on the nightstand next to the bed, watching the tube when Bill walks in. Bill is an older southern black man and the Head of Security for the Mega-Star. As Bill walks into the room, Charlie decides to have a little fun with him. Charlie speaks at the television and says “T.V. Off.” And the television shuts down. Well, old Bill is amazed and asks what’s going on. “Oh, this is one of those new voice-activated Sony televisions,” Charlie says with a straight face. Now Bill, not being remotely technology-minded, says “No kidding?”

“Go on, try it,” Charlie encourages him and Bill faces the t.v. and says with his southern drawl “t.v. On” and the set comes to life. “See,” Charlie says. “Try it again.” Bill loudly says “t.v. Off” and the idiot box shuts off.

Bill is so thrilled by this, he runs out of the room, and comes back with the Mega-Star and his brother in tow. “You’re never gonna believe this,” he says excitedly to Bubba and his brother. He walks up to the t.v. and says “t.v. On.” Nothing happens. He’s puzzled, but persistent. “T.V. ON!!” he says loudly. Still nothing. Bubba and his brother look at Charlie, and he has tears running down his face from trying not to laugh. He finally busts out laughing.

“Bill, you’re a fool,” Bubba’s brother says, turning to go. “You’re a fool,” Bubba repeats in his high little voice and they both leave. Poor old Bill looks at Charlie, who’s still laughing. “It was a joke,” he tells Bill and shows him how the remote control is attached to the nightstand. Bill nods a little, smiles a little, says goodnight and leaves.

The next day, Charlie is told to pack his bags. He’s been informed that his services are no longer needed on the tour. He’s really down in the mouth–this was a lucrative gig and he doesn’t know what’s up. In the midst of his packing and loading up his gear, Bill walks by the room. He pokes his head in and says “Hey Charlie, how do you like my joke?”

Moral of the Story: If you’re going to pull a prank, you might think twice about pulling it on the man who’s above you in the food chain and you better think three times about making him look the fool in front of his boss!

Marketing: Building Professional Recognition

Career Advice

One of the questions I’m asked most is “how do I find the work?” It can be very difficult to secure bodyguard or executive protection contracts, and I’d like to address what I perceive as a shortcoming in terms of landing good jobs: Self-Promotion.

The world has changed, and your marketing strategy has got to change. One of the first ways we check to see if an individual or business is “legitimate” is by conducting an internet search. There is so much information available at our fingertips that the perception now is that if you don’t have a website that you are not truly a “professional.” The truth is, if you are an independent contractor, you MUST have a presence on the web. It doesn’t matter if you have all the training in the world, an arsenal of weapons, specialized skills and even a top-notch resume–if people cannot learn more about you and locate you on the world wide web, you are not accorded respectability. I’m not saying it’s right; I’m just saying that’s how it works.

Don’t forget, YOU are your business when you’re an independent contractor. You can create a very simple website without spending a fortune. Domain names can be purchased at places like Yahoo for low monthly fees. There are a great many web masters with a wide range of fees, so you can find someone to work with in your price range. Emphasize your strengths and skills and professionalism. Above all, be truthful. You are seeking work in a field where integrity, discretion and dependability are paramount–the first step is to garner respect, so honesty is key. [Read more…] about Marketing: Building Professional Recognition

Code of Silence

Executive Protection Articles

“Guarding presidential candidates 24 hours a day, Secret Service agents know better than almost anyone what they are really like. Among Secret Service agents, no protectee evokes more disdain than ______________.”

So begins a recent story that was authored by an anonymous USSS agent. I will not be posting the complete story, which lambastes a particular candidate, because this runs counter to the “code of ethics” I believe are required to work as an Executive Protection Specialist or Bodyguard.

I find it appalling that at this echelon of personal protection, given the enormous salaries these individuals are earning, that an agent feels compelled to send out a printed missive venting frustrations or grievances against the character of the principal. To be truthful, the “warm and fuzzy” individuals who are in need of personal protection are few and far between. That’s a fact. These people have outrageous schedules, often an enormous amount of responsibility, and an unprecedented agenda that is first about business, and last about caring what their protectors think about them.

If this is a career path you wish to follow, be advised that it is more than likely that you won’t think the best of your employer. You may not like their lifestyle, their attitude, their manner with people or their politics.

But here’s the thing–if you work at Burger King, your job is to flip burgers and make nice to the customers, for a paltry minimum wage. If you are hired to work a protective detail, your job is to ensure no harm comes to your protectee. That’s it. The reason a Bodyguard or Agent earns so much is because the job is dangerous, certainly. But there is also a code of silence and respect that is inherent in this work. If you can’t manage to maintain discretion, go take that job at Burger King–because you’re making those of us who are professionals look bad.

Personally, I respected the USSS when they conducted themselves as quiet professionals. There’s a reason it’s called “The Secret Service.”

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