John Lehman, Athena Academy’s Vice President, did a research recently, he contacted several past clients for whom he no longer provides service and reviewed about 40 questionnaire files. Here are comments from the majority of the clients questioned along with the most desired qualifications:

-Minimum of a high school diploma.
-Have 10 client references and 10 personal references.
-Speak, read and write in the language of the country you operate in.
-Height not over 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) for men.
-Height not over 5 feet 9 inches (175.26 cm) for women.
-Weight not over 220 lbs men, 160 lbs women for max height.
-35 to 50 years of age.
-Manicured or at least well-groomed nails. (men and women)
-Know how to tell time and ALWAYS be 15 minutes early.
-Be fiscally responsible with the client’s money.
-Don’t talk too much but always have an answer to any question.
-Smile, be polite, and speak quietly but with authority.
-Don’t get too friendly or too comfortable with the client.
-Be both typing and computer literate.
-No visible tattoos. (This means outside of a bathing suit line)
-No piercings other than ladies’ earlobes. (None for men)
-No habits.(smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, chewing gum, biting nails, picking nose, sniffing…….)
-No facial hair. (this includes mustaches, beards, and sideburns)
-No strong perfumes or colognes.
-Must wear antiperspirant and deodorant.
-Never out-dress the client (no jewelry or expensive watches, no cuff-links, no bright scarves or ties, no designer suits or shoes, no three-piece or double-breasted suites, and ladies…. No dresses……ever).
-Men, no hair on the collar. Women, hair tied back in a bun. No ponytails for women or men.
-Only one button undone below the collar when a tie is not worn.
-If you carry it, know how to use it. (this includes weapons of any kind, electronic devices including cell phones, and counter-surveillance equipment)
-Know how to drive and how to prepare the car for the client.
-Know business and dining etiquette.
-Know how to lose an argument gracefully.
-Know how to say please, thank you, good night, and goodbye.

Notice on this list that Shooting and martial arts were not even referenced or mentioned. So before you agree to work for your next client, ask yourself if you or your team members fit the client’s overall needs. Regardless of the answer, you are the one that has to adapt.