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Welder resume: examples and tips

Fabrication shops and field-welding contractors often ask for a resume that lists processes, positions, and certifications. Make those easy to find in the first half of the page.

What shops look for

  • Processes: SMAW, GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW — say which you use daily.
  • Positions and materials: 1G–6G, plate or pipe, steel, stainless, aluminum.
  • Certifications: AWS or employer weld quals, structural or pipe tickets you still hold.
  • Blueprint and fit-up: reading drawings, using a tape and square, grinding to fit.
  • Safety: PPE, hot-work permits, confined space if trained.

BLS Employment Projections list about 40,300 openings a year on average for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers. Source: BLS EMP table.

When a resume helps

Shop ads commonly say "please send resume for review." Better-paying structural, pipe, and specialty shops expect certs on paper. Bring copies of tickets and a short resume to walk-in tests. Temp agencies may skip the resume; permanent fab shops usually will not.

Sample bullet points (use only what is true for you)

  • Welded structural steel using SMAW and FCAW to shop WPS requirements.
  • Performed MIG welding on production fixtures and finished grind-ready seams.
  • Read fabrication drawings and fitted parts before welding.
  • Passed employer weld qualifications for plate (or pipe) in required positions.
  • Maintained AWS certifications and followed hot-work safety rules.
  • Helped with layout, cutting and material staging on fab projects.

A short summary

Example: "Welder with MIG and stick experience on structural and fab work. Current weld qualifications and comfortable with blueprint fit-up. Looking for a full-time shop or field role."

Skills and certs

SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, plasma or oxy-fuel cutting, blueprint reading, fit-up, grinding, AWS D1.1 or other codes you are qualified under, OSHA 10 if you have it, travel/field welding if true.

Common mistakes

  • Listing every process when you only use one or two.
  • Claiming expired tickets as current.
  • No mention of plate vs. pipe when the job is specific.

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