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1. It doesn't take as long to build up seniority in many security organizations as it does in many other fields where the turnover and attrition rates are lower. Although this is an extreme example, I know of one individual who found himself to be the "senior officer" at his facility five months after he was hired. Again, I know this is an exception, but it is still illustrative.
2. It doesn't take much to distinguish yourself. It has been said that the difference between "excellence" and "mediocrity" is usually only about a difference of 20% in extra effort, and I agree. If you had put in about 20% more effort in that class in high school, you could have earned an "A" or at least a "B" instead of a "C"...right? Come on now, be honest.
Since "mediocrity" or "the average" in the security field is as low as it is, even simple things like being on time EVERY day, doing a GOOD job on your reports, keeping your uniform sharp and your gear clean and serviceable, carrying out orders promptly and consistently, writing up thoughtful suggestions for improvement in services rendered, volunteering for special assignments or overtime, and letting management know that you're taking relevant courses to improve your usefulness to the organization can rocket you to the attention of your superiors...even though most of these things are NOTHING MORE THAN YOU SHOULD BE DOING ANYWAY. In other words, just being dependable and doing your job conscientiously is enough to put you in the "superior" class of officer. Add to that a little dash of initiative, as demonstrated by volunteering, extra training, etc. and you'll put yourself in the top echelon.
2. It doesn't take much to distinguish yourself. It has been said that the difference between "excellence" and "mediocrity" is usually only about a difference of 20% in extra effort, and I agree. If you had put in about 20% more effort in that class in high school, you could have earned an "A" or at least a "B" instead of a "C"...right? Come on now, be honest.
Since "mediocrity" or "the average" in the security field is as low as it is, even simple things like being on time EVERY day, doing a GOOD job on your reports, keeping your uniform sharp and your gear clean and serviceable, carrying out orders promptly and consistently, writing up thoughtful suggestions for improvement in services rendered, volunteering for special assignments or overtime, and letting management know that you're taking relevant courses to improve your usefulness to the organization can rocket you to the attention of your superiors...even though most of these things are NOTHING MORE THAN YOU SHOULD BE DOING ANYWAY. In other words, just being dependable and doing your job conscientiously is enough to put you in the "superior" class of officer. Add to that a little dash of initiative, as demonstrated by volunteering, extra training, etc. and you'll put yourself in the top echelon.
Due to the high cost of living in California, the state minimum wage is $8 an hour (USA federal minimum wage is $5.85 / hr); just 38% more than the federal minimum wage. My company starts at $9 an hr; just 13% over the state minimum wage. There's too many guard companies in my area, and the competition is forcing everyone to pay their guards cheap to keep the rates competitive. The only thing I like about my company, is they're too cheap to hire enough roving supervisors. I work an unarmed post, yet carry a PR24, mace, & a M18 airtaser (which looks like a real gun when its holstered). Air tasers are not regulated in California. So I'm working this shopping center, looking like a fully-armed S/O. I'm going to be sooo fired if my company sees the way I'm dressed, but at $9 an hour, and with so many guard companies in the Los Angeles area, I'm sure I won't have problems finding another guard company.
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