Welding Interview Tips to Help You Land Your First Job

Do you know how many different types of welding jobs are out there? Do you have experience as a welder? If you wish to get a job as a welder, you need to be able to comfortably discuss a variety of welding techniques and best practices.

It is also important to prepare for your welding job interview. If this is your first interview for a welding job, there are several steps that can help you. Continue reading to learn how to land the job of your dreams.

Types of Jobs for Welders

There are, in fact, at least 13 different types of welding jobs. They include the following.

• Construction Welders: residential, commercial, buildings, bridges, civil engineering projects
• Manufacturing Welders: any industry that makes metal products 
• Structural Steel Welders: called ironworkers and construct steel structures and frameworks
• Sheet Metal Workers: specialize in creating, installing, and repairing sheet metal products
• Boilermakers: make and install boilers and other large containers for liquids or gases
• Industrial Maintenance Welders: inspect and repair metal machinery and equipment
• Industrial Shutdown Welders: maintain and repair equipment when it is shutdown
• Rig Welders: construct and repair steel islands for offshore rigs and on-land rig stations
• Pipefitters: weld pipes for use in natural gas, oil and gas, electric, and water utility industries
• Motorsports Welders: provide welding services for all teams involved in motorsports
• Shipyard Welders: build, inspect, and repair ships of all types
• Military Welders: must complete basic military training and work with all branches of the military
• Underwater Welders: weld in deep-sea condition while exposed to high water pressure

Choosing to work in the welding industry offers a wide variety of job choices.

Create a Résumé

Many jobs today ask you to complete an online application. You may think having a résumé is no longer necessary, especially if you have no work experience. Yet, compiling a résumé organizes all your information so that you do not forget anything and present your full story and qualifications to a potential employer. 

Opportunities may arise where you can hand someone your résumé. This presents a more professional image versus just providing your name and phone number.

A résumé should include your name, address, email, and contact phone number. Next, include your education, and work experience. If this is your first welding job interview, describe the experience you received during school and include specific courses, projects, and skills you learned.

Some schools include welding experience in their curriculum. For example, include all work experience from an internship or externship. These employers may also serve as valuable references or may even want to hire you once you have graduated and obtained your certifications.

Completion of certifications demonstrates that you have mastered welding skills. Two examples include the SMAW and FCAW certifications. This also shows that you are serious about working as a welder.

Be sure to highlight certification and/or specializations in different types of welding. This may give you an edge over other applicants.

How to Prepare for a Welding Job Interview

When interviewing, use these basic strategies to generate a good first impression. First, make eye contact and extend your hand for a firm handshake. Introduce yourself and speak strongly and confidently.

Wear professional attire such as slacks and a collared shirt; avoid sneakers, sandals, and jeans. 

Practice good posture and never slouch. In fact, it is better to lean forward a little to show you are interested and engaged.

When speaking, use technical industry terms to demonstrate your expertise. Avoid stall words such as “like”, “you know”, and “um”.

Listen carefully to the questions and answer them directly. Some interviewees who are less confident tend to wander off into unrelated stories. This gives the impression that you do not know the answer.

Be prepared to demonstrate your skills. At the employer’s job site, you may be asked to suit up in protective gear and demonstrate various skills. Ask ahead of time if this is the case and volunteer to bring your own safety equipment if you have it.

Prepare a list of questions related to the job. Include questions about the job responsibilities and required equipment/PPE you must provide. Don’t be afraid to ask about the work environment, benefits and culture.

At the end of the interview, be sure to say “thank you” and that you look forward to hearing from them. You may even send a follow-up email thanking them for the interview.

These strategies show that you have carefully considered the position and are a serious candidate. Avoid texting with the company which is too informal at this stage of your relationship.

Examples of Welding Interviews

The following are some questions you may be asked during an interview. Review this list and write down some answers to prepare ahead of time.

Job Interest and Character Questions:

Most interviewers want to know a little about you as a person.

• Why are you interested in this job?
• What are your career goals?
• What is your strongest characteristic that makes you a good welder?
• Describe your hardest welding challenge and how did you handle it?
• Describe your technical experience.

Demonstrating that you are comfortable and interested is a positive start.

Expertise Questions:

Every employer must determine your level of expertise.

• What are the different types of principle stresses?
• Name a flame that is used for welding.
• Tell me about a difficult situation you have faced at work and how you handled it.
• Can you give me an example of when your attention to detail helped you find a problem before it became a serious issue?
• Why would you use a striker torch instead of a flame?
• Can you hold an arc rod to steady it while welding?
• Is it okay to put weld in wet areas?

You should be quick with these answers so they gain confidence in your ability.

Work Ethic Questions:

Welding is a dangerous profession.

• Who is responsible for safety on-site?
• What would you do if you saw a coworker violating safety regulations?
• Explain the most important safety protocols all welders should follow.

These questions are meant to explore your level of diligence when working.

Logistics Questions:

If you are not willing and able to meet their employment needs, you may not be the best candidate.

• Can you work any shift?
• When can you start?

By preparing for the interview, you will feel more confident. Before answering more in-depth questions, pause briefly and consider the question. Then you may provide the answer, even if you already knew it.

Are You Interested in Starting a New Career?

The Institute of Medical and Business Careers (IMBC) offers a variety of education programs. Our online or on-campus programs strive to help you discover your S.P.A.R.K.™. We offer classes that prepare you to start a welding job soon after you complete our program.

IMBC has provided programs for new career paths for over 20 years. If you are ready to start, there is no need to wait. Classes start soon.

Contact us today to ask questions and learn more about enrolling in classes.