Choosing The Right Company

 Let’s face it, in the Houston metro area, there are hundreds of large and small security companies. You’ll see what I mean when you do a search in any phone directory. However, not all of them are still in operation. To find out, simply compare the phone listing with the Private Security Bureau at the Texas DPS website. The direct link is at the bottom of this article.

 Once you found one that is still in operation, check their website if they have one to see the pay and benefits they offer. Depending on what you want out of a company will determine your best choices. If all you’re interested in is making money,  doing as little work as possible, there’s plenty of fly by night operations out there.

 No matter what company you work for, the pay will be different. Even within the same company.  I'll tell you why. Every client (the person who hired the security company) pays differently. One post could pay $7.00, another across town might pay $8.00. It all depends.

 Most non-commissioned/ commissioned guards make anywhere from between $6.00 to $11.00 dollars an hour. That could include supervisors and other roles within the company. Only managers, partners/shareholders, etc, and other personnel within the company make a living. Some of you guards out there might be making more. You're the lucky ones.

 Not all good companies offer decent benefits like 401k, health insurance (make sure you read the fine print), direct deposit, or even holiday pay. Some do require you pay for the uniform, which they deduct from your check each week. When you return it after quitting, you’ll get the money back, unless it is torn. You'll have to pay for the repair. Have all your uniforms professional dry-cleaned throughout your employment and when you quit. It keeps the material like new.

 Avoid smaller companies that pay less than $8.50, or has less than ten office personnel, or 100 employees working for them. Small mom and pop operations don’t have the extra funds to give you a decent salary, benefits, or even training. 

 In addition, if they don’t have enough employees, you can find yourself working double shifts back to back or coming in on your off day. This can happen anywhere. That’s great for the money, but you need to eat and sleep or else you’ll do harm to your mental and physical health.

 Your best bet is choose a well-known company.  Remember, every company is not free of interpersonal problems, due to the lack of communication between employees, managers, etc.  

 Additional tips:

1.      Thoroughly visit the Texas Private Security Bureau website periodically. Don’t have Internet access, or computer? Go to you local library.

2.      Read or have a copy of the Occupation Code Chapter 1702. This is your second Bible.

3.      Read your company handbook and the post orders of any site you’re assigned.

4.      Get the opinions from friends and family. But also use the Internet whenever possible to do research.