For welders, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) looks for specific technical proficiencies, safety protocols, and certifications before your resume ever reaches a shop foreman or hiring manager. Including the precise terminology for the metals you work with and the equipment you operate is crucial. This guide covers the essential hard and soft skills, action verbs, and ATS strategies to make your welder resume stand out.
Top hard skills for welder resumes
These are the technical skills that ATS systems and hiring managers look for on welder resumes. Include the ones you genuinely have experience with.
MIG Welding (GMAW)
Essential for manufacturing and auto body work; list specific materials and thicknesses you've successfully welded.
TIG Welding (GTAW)
Highlight this high-precision skill, especially if you have experience with aluminum, stainless steel, or aerospace applications.
Stick Welding (SMAW)
Crucial for construction and pipeline work where outdoor and adverse conditions are common.
Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Include this to show your capability for high-speed, heavy-duty welding in construction and shipbuilding.
Blueprint Reading
Demonstrates your ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and welding symbols accurately.
Oxy-Fuel Cutting & Welding
Important for fabrication and demolition tasks; mention your proficiency with torches and plasma cutters.
Fabrication & Layout
Shows you can measure, cut, and assemble metal components from raw materials to finished products.
Metallurgy Knowledge
Proves you understand how different metals react to heat and how to prevent warping or cracking.
Grinding & Finishing
Essential for preparing surfaces before welding and ensuring clean, smooth, and aesthetically pleasing final welds.
Weld Inspection & Testing
Mention non-destructive testing (NDT) or visual inspection skills to highlight your commitment to quality control.
Rigging & Hoisting
Important for structural welders who must safely move and position heavy steel beams or pipes.
Pipe Welding
A highly specialized skill; specify your proficiency in 6G positions and specific pipe materials.
Equipment Maintenance
Shows you can troubleshoot, clean, and perform routine repairs on welding machines and tools.
OSHA Safety Standards
Critical for any industrial role; highlights your adherence to safety protocols and hazard prevention.
Plasma Arc Cutting
A valuable skill for precision metal cutting in fabrication shops and manufacturing plants.
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Build your resume →Essential soft skills
Beyond technical ability, these soft skills differentiate strong welder candidates.
- Attention to Detail
- Physical Stamina
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Hand-Eye Coordination
- Mathematical Aptitude
- Work Ethic
Recommended certifications
| Certification | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Certified Welder (CW) (AWS CW) | The industry standard certification from the American Welding Society proving your foundational welding competence. |
| Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) | Demonstrates advanced knowledge of quality control, safety standards, and code compliance. |
| OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety (OSHA 30) | Proves comprehensive understanding of workplace safety, hazard recognition, and prevention. |
Power action verbs
Start your bullet points with these strong verbs to demonstrate impact.
Example resume bullet points
Here's how to use these skills in real resume bullets with quantified results.
ATS optimization tips
Specify Your Welding Processes
Don't just list 'Welding' as a skill. Use specific acronyms and full names like 'TIG Welding (GTAW)' or 'MIG Welding (GMAW)' because ATS software searches for these exact terms.
Include Material Types
Mention the specific metals you have experience with, such as carbon steel, aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel. Employers often filter candidates based on material expertise.
Highlight Certifications in Your Summary
Place your AWS certifications and OSHA credentials at the top of your resume in a dedicated section or your professional summary to ensure they are immediately parsed by the ATS.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important skills for a welder resume?
The most critical skills include specific welding techniques (MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Cored), blueprint reading, fabrication, and adherence to OSHA safety standards. Highlighting your expertise with different metals and equipment maintenance is also essential.
How many skills should I list on my welder resume?
Aim to include 10 to 15 hard skills tailored to the specific job description, along with 5 to 8 soft skills. Group them logically, separating technical welding processes from general shop skills and safety protocols.
Should I include my welding certifications on my resume?
Absolutely. Certifications like the AWS Certified Welder (CW) or OSHA safety cards are often mandatory requirements for employers and serve as primary keywords that ATS software scans for during the initial screening process.
Put these skills to work
Now that you know which skills to highlight, use our free resume builder to create an ATS-optimized resume with the right keywords in the right places.
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