Opening questions
"Why security, why us, why now" — three-part answer, one minute total. Employers hire for reliability first, personality second, skills third.
Competency questions
Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Prepare three examples that flex across most competencies (Loss prevention, Body-worn video, Customer service, Detention within powers).
Give the outcome as a number where you can (incidents, minutes, hours).
Scenario questions
"A visitor becomes aggressive at reception — walk me through it." Answer with position, communication, escalation and record — not just physical intervention.
Licence and vetting
Bring the physical SIA Security Guard licence (or Door Supervisor for licensed premises) to the interview. Have address history for the last five years ready. If there is anything to declare, declare it up front — discovery downstream costs the job.
Your questions back
Rota pattern, welfare check frequency, training budget, on-site amenities, dispute-resolution process. Silence at "any questions?" reads as disinterest.