Welder: resume screening criteria template

Great welders show up in resumes through certifications (AWS, ASME), specific processes they've mastered (MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core), and the materials and industries they've worked with (structural steel, aluminum fabrication, pipeline, automotive). Look for candidates who list weld types, positions (overhead, vertical, horizontal), and any quality metrics like pass rates on weld tests or X-ray inspections. The best resumes mention blueprint reading, measuring tools (calipers, micrometers), and whether they've worked in production environments or custom fabrication shops.

The biggest screening mistake is hiring someone whose certifications don't match your actual welding needs. A candidate certified in 6G pipe welding won't necessarily excel at high-volume MIG work on thin sheet metal, and vice versa. The second mistake is ignoring safety records and physical demands. Welders who've worked in confined spaces, at heights, or with specific safety protocols (OSHA 10/30, hot work permits) adapt faster to your shop's requirements and reduce your liability exposure.

One click loads this rubric and an editable job-post draft into SiftFirst: adjust them to your reality, add the resumes, and every applicant is scored with quoted evidence.

The criteria (6)

Relevant welding processes and certifications

weight 10/10

Does the candidate have hands-on experience with the specific welding processes your shop uses (MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core) and current certifications that match your needs? A structural steel shop needs different skills than a precision TIG shop working with thin aluminum.

Strong evidence: Lists specific processes ("MIG welding on 1/4-inch steel plate," "TIG welding stainless tubing"), names certifications with codes ("AWS D1.1 Structural," "ASME Section IX 6G pipe"), mentions positions certified in ("3G, 4G overhead"), includes test pass rates or recertification dates

Red flag: Only lists "welding" without processes, claims to be expert in every process (MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core, Oxy-Acetylene), certifications expired more than 2 years ago, no mention of positions or materials

Blueprint reading and measurement skills

weight 9/10

Can they work independently from drawings without constant supervision? Welders who can read prints, interpret welding symbols, and use measuring tools make fewer costly mistakes and need less hand-holding.

Strong evidence: Mentions "read and interpreted blueprints and welding symbols," lists measuring tools used ("calipers, micrometers, protractors, levels"), describes layout work ("marked and measured cut lines," "verified dimensions before welding"), notes tolerance requirements ("held +/- 1/16 inch")

Red flag: No mention of blueprints or drawings, only describes following verbal instructions, doesn't list any measuring tools, resume suggests they only welded pre-fitted pieces

Material and industry experience match

weight 8/10

Have they worked with the same materials and in similar environments as your shop? A welder experienced with 1/2-inch structural steel won't automatically excel at thin-gauge aluminum, and production welding differs greatly from custom fabrication.

Strong evidence: Names specific materials ("carbon steel, stainless 304/316, 6061 aluminum"), describes thicknesses ("18-gauge to 1/2-inch plate"), mentions industry context ("automotive frames," "HVAC ductwork," "pipeline construction"), lists similar production volume or project types

Red flag: Only vague material mentions ("various metals"), all experience in completely different industry (pipe welding when you do sheet metal), no mention of material thickness or gauges

Quality track record and inspection experience

weight 7/10

Do they have a history of producing quality welds that pass inspection? Look for evidence they understand what good welds look like and can self-inspect before QC catches problems.

Strong evidence: Mentions inspection methods ("visual inspection per AWS D1.1," "passed X-ray testing," "dye penetrant testing"), includes quality metrics ("98% first-pass rate," "reduced rework by 30%"), describes self-inspection habits ("checked for undercut, porosity, and proper penetration"), notes any quality certifications

Red flag: No mention of quality standards or inspection, doesn't describe what makes a good weld, resume shows pattern of short jobs (possible quality issues), no metrics about rework or pass rates

Safety practices and physical capabilities

weight 6/10

Do they have a clean safety record and understand the physical demands? Welding injuries are expensive, and some positions require working in confined spaces, at heights, or in awkward positions for hours.

Strong evidence: Lists safety training ("OSHA 10, confined space entry, fall protection"), mentions PPE habits ("maintained welding hood, respirator, leather PPE"), describes physical work ("welded in overhead position for 6-hour shifts," "worked at heights up to 40 feet"), notes clean safety record or safety awards

Red flag: No mention of safety practices or training, gaps in employment after listing physical jobs (possible injury), doesn't acknowledge physical demands, claims limitations that conflict with job requirements ("cannot work overhead" when you need overhead welding)

Equipment setup and troubleshooting ability

weight 5/10

Can they set up their own equipment and adjust parameters, or do they need a supervisor to dial in every job? Independent welders who understand amperage, wire speed, gas flow, and how to troubleshoot problems are more productive.

Strong evidence: Describes equipment setup ("selected wire type and set voltage/wire speed for material thickness"), mentions troubleshooting ("adjusted gas flow to eliminate porosity," "changed contact tips and nozzles"), lists equipment types operated ("Miller Syncrowave 250, Lincoln Power MIG 360"), notes any maintenance performed

Red flag: No mention of equipment setup or settings, only describes welding without any technical parameters, doesn't list specific equipment brands or models, suggests they only worked with pre-set machines

How to use this template

Adjust the weights to your reality: every business weighs these differently.
Score every applicant against the same criteria, and write down the evidence (a quoted line from the resume) behind each score, not a gut feeling.
Rank by the weighted total and review the top 10-15 in full. Consistent criteria plus recorded evidence is also what makes your process defensible.

Or skip the spreadsheet: the button above loads this rubric into SiftFirst, which scores the whole pile for you with a quote behind every score. Free, no signup.

FAQ

Should I require certifications or just do a weld test?

Do both if possible. Certifications (AWS, ASME) prove someone has passed a standardized test and knows proper technique, but they don't tell you if they can produce quality welds at your required speed or with your specific materials. Have finalists complete a paid weld test that mirrors your actual work (same process, material, position, and time expectations). If someone has recent certifications in exactly what you need and their test welds are solid, you can be confident. If certifications are expired or in different processes, weight the test results more heavily. For entry-level production work where you'll provide training, the weld test matters more than certifications.

How do I screen resumes when candidates have welding experience but in different industries than mine?

Focus on transferable specifics rather than industry labels. A candidate who did TIG welding on stainless steel exhaust systems in an automotive shop has skills that transfer to TIG welding stainless in a food equipment shop, even though the industries differ. Look at the actual processes, materials, thicknesses, positions, and quality standards they worked with. Red flags are when the work is fundamentally different: someone who only did high-volume robotic weld monitoring won't automatically succeed at custom hand welding, and a pipe welder working with thick-wall carbon steel won't necessarily handle thin-gauge aluminum sheet metal. Ask yourself whether their daily tasks (reading prints, setting up equipment, welding in specific positions) match what they'll do for you, regardless of what industry label is on their resume.

A candidate has 15 years of welding experience but no certifications. Should I screen them out?

Not automatically, but proceed carefully. Long experience without certifications can mean two things: they've been doing quality work in shops that don't require formal certs (common in some manufacturing and repair settings), or they've developed bad habits that wouldn't pass a certification test. Bring them in for a weld test that covers the positions and processes you need, and watch their technique, not just the finished weld. Do they set up equipment properly? Do they use correct travel speed and angle? Are their welds consistent? If they pass your test convincingly and their references confirm quality work, the lack of certification matters less. However, if you have contracts requiring certified welders (common in structural, pressure vessel, or government work), you'll need someone who can get certified quickly. In that case, ask if they're willing to test for certification within 30-60 days of hiring, and make it a condition of continued employment.