The Real Challenge in Close Protection Recruitment

Are you ready to challenge the status quo in the close protection industry?

This week's "On the Circuit" dives into a hard-hitting topic that could redefine your career.

Guest editor Tom Richmond confronts the myth of market saturation, arguing that it's not oversaturation holding you back—it's… something you might not want to hear. However, Tom’s directive insights might be the wake-up call you need to land that elite CP role.

Also in this issue:

• 🗞️ Stay informed of the latest industry developments in our news roundup.

• 🚨 Essential protective tactics for high-risk meetings in our practical guide.

• 🎙️ Game-changing networking strategies for modern protectors.

• 🌎 How Israel's recent actions might spark Iranian retaliation

Whether you're a seasoned operator or just starting out, this edition is packed with insights to sharpen your skills and advance your career.

Let's dive in.

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Close Protection Industry Recruitment - The Hard Truths

Are you struggling to find well-paid, full-time employment in the close protection industry? You're not alone. But before you blame market saturation, it's time for some hard truths.

The Myth of Market Saturation

95% of people in the CP industry put minimal effort into job applications. They send the same un-tailored CV to every job posting, suitable or not, hoping recruiters will see past their lack of effort. When they don't get the job, they blame market saturation.

But here's the reality: You are the reason you can't find well-paid, full-time employment.

Self-Assessment: Are You Really Trying?

Ask yourself:

1. How much effort have you put into defining your dream CP job and planning to achieve it?

2. How much time do you spend tailoring your CV for each application?

3. Are you strategically applying for suitable roles or just chancing it with every posting?

4. Have you made an effort to meet potential employers face-to-face or via video call?

5. What sets you apart from other CP operators seeking work?

The Competitive Reality

Landing a top CP job is tough, but for good reason. These roles offer:

• Salaries ranging from £65k to £100k ($85k to $130k)

• Opportunities to travel the world

• Experiences like flying in private jets and staying in luxurious hotels

With such perks, competition is fierce. When a job is advertised:

• Recruiters receive 200+ applications

• Only 5 applicants typically get shortlisted

• Your chances of being shortlisted: 2.5% (40/1 odds)

• Your chances of getting the job: 0.5% (200/1 odds)

Improving Your Odds

To land your dream role, you need to improve these statistics. Here's how:

1. Stop relying on mass job postings: Avoid roles reposted multiple times on WhatsApp, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

2. Meet potential employers: Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes. Advertising a role is time-consuming. If they've met you and have your CV on file, you make their job easier.

3. Focus on quality over quantity: A focused recruitment approach can improve your odds from 200/1 to 5/1.

The Power of Personal Connections

Less than 1% of CP operators meet potential employers face-to-face or via video call. You can dramatically improve your chances by simply picking up the phone and offering to buy a recruiter coffee.

Taking Action: Your Path to Success

1. Stop making excuses and blaming others

2. Take responsibility for your career goals

3. Dedicate time to tailoring your applications

4. Use a focused recruitment approach

5. Stand out to recruiters

6. Turn the statistics in your favour

Remember: You are the only person who can make your CP industry dream job happen.

Bonus Tip: Leverage Expert Resources

To further boost your chances, consider using The Security Advisor's new Ultimate Guide to CVs and Gaining Employment. This comprehensive resource can help you achieve your potential in the CP industry.

Get the Guide here >

Don't let laziness hold you back. Take action today and start turning your CP career dreams into reality!

This newsletter was guest-edited by Tom Richmond, Managing Director of The Security Advisor and security industry recruitment expert.

🇺🇸 the U.S.-led coalition's military mission in Iraq will conclude by the end of 2025 as the first part of a two-phase transition.

🇮🇱 Israel rejected U.S.-backed calls for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

🇷🇺 Sources claim Russian arms producer IEMZ Kupol was working in China to produce a new long-range attack drone for use in Ukraine

🇦🇪 The UAE becomes "major defense partner" to the US amid expanded military cooperation including joint training and exercises.

Protective Tactics for Attending High-Risk Meetings

High-risk meetings pose significant dangers such as kidnapping, assassination, robbery, or assault. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to approach such meetings with utmost caution and thorough planning. Secrecy is paramount; meetings should be arranged discreetly and well in advance, with the goal of exchanging essential information quickly.

Selecting an appropriate meeting location is vital and should be based on factors like the number of participants, discussion topics, and the current threat level. It's important to have a plausible reason for being in the chosen area to maintain cover if the meeting is compromised.

Participants should establish covert signals or codes to alert others if they are under surveillance or have been followed. This ensures that one compromised individual does not endanger the entire group. Reliance on cell phones is discouraged due to the risk of tracking and eavesdropping; low-tech methods of communication are preferred.

Verifying the identity of meeting attendees through pre-arranged signs or countersigns enhances security and reduces the risk of impersonation. Understanding the meeting location in detail—including facilities, surveillance points, and escape routes—helps anticipate potential threats. Environmental factors such as time of day, traffic conditions, and typical local activities should also be considered.

Contingency planning for emergencies is essential. This includes assessing transportation methods, secure parking options, and the possibility of being searched upon arrival. Maintaining situational awareness before, during, and after the meeting can help detect unusual activities or signs of surveillance.

During the meeting, it is advisable to choose a strategic position that offers visibility of entrances and quick access to exits. After the meeting, depart promptly and employ counter-surveillance techniques to help ensure a safe return. If future meetings are necessary, varying the times and days can reduce predictability and enhance security.

Read the full article >

Israel's campaign of assassination increases likelihood of Iranian retaliation

On Sept. 28, Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah; he died in a Sept. 27 Israeli airstrike in Beirut. He was killed alongside top Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Gen. Abbas Nilfourshan, according to Iranian state media.

Nasrallah's death is a major political and security blow to the militant group, capping a campaign of assassination against top Hezbollah commanders that began when Hezbollah entered the Gaza War alongside Hamas in October 2023.

It will create temporary organizational challenges for the militants and disrupt aspects of its command and control while a successor is chosen and morale across the movement is low, giving Israel a window of opportunity to escalate strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon in an attempt to force the militant group to exit the Gaza War. But it will also create a strong desire to retaliate both inside Lebanon and in the militant movement, likely furthering the conflict rather than seeing a de-escalation.

Meanwhile, the killing of an Iranian commander increases the chances that Iran will be compelled to retaliate against Israel directly, something it has threatened to do so since July 2024, when Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Nasrallah took power in 1992 after his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, was killed in an Israeli assassination. He led Hezbollah through multiple conflicts with Israel, including the 2006 war, and oversaw the guerrilla campaign that led to Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. He also deepened ties with Iran, intervened in Syria's Civil War on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and built up a large rocket and missile arsenal to deter Israeli attacks on both Hezbollah and Iran.

Read the full article >

Networking for the Modern Protector – How to Transform Your Career | Craig McKim

Take a minute and see how you react to the word “networking.” You are not alone if you cringe, roll your eyes, or have some other visceral reaction. Almost all working professionals have a negative attitude toward networking and see it as a “necessary evil.”

But our guest, Craig McKim, has much to say that may change your mind. After more than a decade working in the security industry, Craig's a-ha moment came when he realized he could capitalize on his desire to help others and combine it with his natural ability to make deep connections. Today, he is known as “Mr. Networking” in the security industry, and he’s here to help us deep-dive into this sticky, love/hate subject. 

In this episode, we reveal how: 

• Everything you want in life is tucked away somewhere in your network—you have to go find it. 

• If you don’t have leads on jobs, then you probably aren’t having enough conversations. Ultimately, you don’t know where conversations are going to lead, so you need to have them!

• Your network will become a greater asset to your principal or organisation. 

• Thinking outside the box to expand your network beyond your function and industry gives you a cutting edge.   

Like it or not, networking is an asset to the modern protector, so use it to your advantage. With all the resources available, reframe and broaden your definition of what it means to network. 

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Top mistake in surveillance detection

Which mistake do you consider the most detrimental to your protection detail?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Failure to Conduct Routine Checks. (37%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️ Ignoring Behavioral Indicators. (45%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Neglecting Protective Intelligence. (18%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (Let us know). (0%)