CNC Machinist: resume screening criteria template

Can they program machines from a blueprint, select tooling, establish offsets, and prove out a new job without hand-holding? This is the core skill that separates machinists from button-pushers.

Strong evidence: Resume lists specific machines (Haas VF-3, Mazak Integrex, Okuma Lathe), control types (Fanuc, Siemens), CAM software (Mastercam, Fusion 360, Edgecam), and phrases like 'programmed from blueprints,' 'wrote G-code,' 'set up 15+ jobs per week,' or 'reduced setup time by X minutes.' Bonus: mentions fixture design or custom workholding.

Red flag: Only lists 'operated CNC machines' with no mention of programming, setup, or tooling selection. Vague phrases like 'assisted with programming' suggest they watched someone else do it.

Do they understand what the print is asking for? Can they interpret geometric tolerances, surface finish symbols, and material specs, or do they need constant help from a supervisor or engineer?

Strong evidence: Resume explicitly mentions 'read and interpreted blueprints,' 'GD&T,' 'geometric tolerancing,' 'ASME Y14.5,' or 'worked to print specifications.' Better yet: 'identified print errors and worked with engineering to resolve' or 'machined aerospace parts to AS9100 standards.'

Red flag: No mention of blueprints, drawings, or GD&T anywhere. If they have 5 years of experience but never mention reading a print, they probably followed someone else's setup sheets.

Do they inspect their own work and catch problems before parts leave the machine? Machinists who rely on a QC inspector to find their mistakes cost you time and scrap.

Strong evidence: Names specific tools: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, pin gauges, CMM, optical comparator. Phrases like 'inspected first articles,' 'maintained SPC charts,' 'achieved 98% first-pass yield,' or 'held tolerances to +/- 0.0005 inches.' Mentions creating inspection reports or using inspection software (PC-DMIS, Polyworks).

Red flag: No mention of measurement tools or inspection. If the resume talks about making parts but never about checking them, they don't own quality.

When a part comes out wrong or a tool breaks, do they figure out why and fix it, or do they just scrap the part and try again? Problem-solvers save you money and downtime.

Strong evidence: Concrete examples: 'reduced scrap from 8% to 2%,' 'eliminated chatter by changing tool path strategy,' 'cut cycle time by 12 minutes through optimized feeds and speeds,' 'identified and corrected recurring dimensional issue,' or 'implemented tool wear offsets that improved consistency.' Any mention of root cause analysis or continuous improvement.

Red flag: Resume lists only routine tasks with no examples of solving problems, improving processes, or making anything better. Passive language like 'followed procedures' or 'completed work orders as assigned.'

Do they understand how different materials machine and which tools to use? Machinists who know when to use carbide vs. HSS, or how to adjust speeds for aluminum vs. stainless, make fewer mistakes and waste less tooling.

Strong evidence: Resume mentions specific materials (aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, Inconel, tool steel, plastics) and tooling types (carbide inserts, end mills, drills, boring bars, live tooling). Phrases like 'selected appropriate tooling for material and operation,' 'machined exotic alloys,' or 'managed tool crib and optimized tool life.'

Red flag: No mention of materials or tooling. Generic phrases like 'machined various parts' without any specificity about what materials or what challenges they presented.

Have they worked in an industry with high standards (aerospace, medical, automotive), completed a formal apprenticeship, or earned certifications? These signal someone who has been held to a higher bar and learned proper habits.

Strong evidence: Mentions aerospace (AS9100), medical (ISO 13485), automotive (IATF 16949), or defense work. Lists certifications: NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), apprenticeship completion, or trade school diploma. Phrases like 'FAA-approved parts,' 'FDA-regulated components,' or 'worked to MIL-spec standards.'

Red flag: Worked only in low-tolerance, high-volume environments (simple brackets, non-critical parts) with no exposure to tight tolerances or demanding quality systems. No training or certifications beyond high school.