By Doc Rogers
The bodyguard trade has a price, everyone must pay for admission. When you first start you must get specific executive protection training from a recognized school. The training does not come cheap, but look at it as an investment. Once you successfully complete your training there are additional fees that must be paid and honestly many bodyguard candidates aren’t willing to pay.
This includes long workdays (12-20 hours) intense agendas and stressful conditions, weeks and even months away from your family, living out of a suitcase and lots of unexciting hotel and airline food. These are not complainants. The pay is decent; hard work deserves good pay and most of us knew what the job entailed before we got into the trade. However, I want to make it clear that this type of work isn’t for everybody. If it was an easy way of life, everyone would be a bodyguard.
If after reading the above, you are still interested in becoming a bodyguard, than you have the required determination and heart to succeed. I’m not trying to discourage people from entering the trade, but remember there is a price to pay. You may be in for a struggle and lots of non-glamorous work. After your initial bodyguard training at the academy do not stop your learning process. Read everything you can on the subject. There is no such thing as too much experience and knowledge.
When looking for work in the industry do not pass up volunteer jobs. This includes volunteering your time at local celebrity dinners or functions. These volunteer jobs always tend to payoff in the future. It also looks good on your résumé. But remember; go to give, not to take and serve greatly.
Next suggestion, move to city where the bodyguard trade is in demand. It is possible to find bodyguard work anywhere in the world. But your best chances are in a city the needs bodyguards. Do not move to any particular city on a whim. Be prepared and do your research first. Start making daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals for your bodyguard career.
When you first start, start out small. Get some quality business cards made, start meeting others bodyguards on Facebook and LinkedIn. Start attending bodyguard workshops in your area and mailing your résumé to Fortune 500 company executive protection units. Just make sure your résumé makes a good impression before sending them out. As you meet each goal, generate a new one until you land a bodyguard job and obtain a long-term career. With heart and determination you will make it. Keep safe and God speed.
