Overseas Security Jobs: Benefits of Working in Security Services Abroad

If you're looking to work abroad, whether in an exotic location or in a developed industrial country, then you might want to consider looking at overseas security jobs. This kind of job opportunity is in high demand, and if you are qualified for it, you might just find yourself embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

There are various kinds of overseas jobs in the field of security services, but what they all have in common is the objective of keeping a place, property, or people secure and safe. Whether you find work abroad as a security guard, a personal body guard, a house detective, or a security manager, two of your most overriding concerns would always be safety and security.

Why Overseas Security Jobs Are Popular

For one thing, many employers are looking for diversity because it makes sense for them to employ expertise from other parts of the world. For another thing, it is good economic sense for them to hire foreign labor since it can be much cheaper than hiring locally.

That said, working abroad in security services can be very lucrative, especially if you come from a developing country. According to CivilianContractorJobs.com, the annual salary of a civilian security contractor can range from between USD 50,000 to USD 250,000.

But that doesn't mean being employed in a similar capacity in an exotic, less industrial nation is a less attractive option. If you are coming from a colder climate, wouldn't it be great to work in a tropical country where your employer not only pays you a handsome salary that's usually tax free but also shoulders other expenses like accommodation and transportation? It is no wonder then that so many people are including security companies in their job search for employment abroad.

Are Overseas Security Jobs Dangerous?

The answer would depend on many factors. Location is one of them. A security job in a politically unstable country, for example, is understandably more high-risk than one in a nation that is at peace.

If you are hired as part of the private security team of a high-profile person, such as a celebrity, politician, or wealthy businessperson, you would have to be willing to put their safety first ahead of yours.

However, working in security services doesn't always have to be dangerous. There are a number of security jobs where you probably wouldn't even have to carry a gun. Some kinds of security work just require you to monitor people entering or leaving a building.

Or if you find employment as a house detective, what you would mainly be doing is going around a facility to make sure that nothing out of the ordinary is going on, and inform the higher-ups about your findings.

Are You Qualified for an Overseas Security Job?

It isn't true that you have to have military or police background to become a security employee or contractor. However, it is true that you do need to meet requirements, and this depends on the kind of security work you are eyeing. The job description of a museum security guard, for example, would be different from that of one for a crowd control specialist.

Some employers do not require prior security experience from job applicants, though of course, it's preferred. You can boost your chances of being hired abroad by taking online or offline security classes. Henley-Putnam University, for instance, offers online education in Management of Personal Protection, including academic degrees in security.

Applying for an Overseas Security Job

There are numerous security companies that have websites, and you can browse them to see what job vacancies they have. You can also visit the sites of civilian contractor specialists, though some of them require membership, like CivilianContractorJobs.com. Another good idea would be to course part of your job search for a security job abroad through government overseas employment agencies.

Just make sure that any employment agency you deal with is legitimate since there are so many fraudulent recruiters out there. You can request a government agency to verify the legitimacy of a job placement company.

Another good idea is to search the job forums for user feedback on recruitment companies. These expat security workers will usually share their good and bad experiences with recruiters or security companies. Not only that, you are also likely to find valuable information from them on what it's like to work abroad as a security specialist.

Whether you are considering overseas security jobs in the USA or Thailand, whether you are thinking of embarking on a Dubai career or anywhere else, you should do all you can to make sure you have the right qualifications and that you become as informed as possible about what working abroad entails. That way, your experience is more likely to become one that is worth remembering.