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A career in welding requires specific skills and training. The Welding Technology program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) can help prepare you for the field, which could allow you to work in a range of industries.1
If you enjoy working with your hands and are looking for an in-demand career, it might be the path for you. Total welder employment in the United States is expected to exceed 452,000 by 2030.50
As graduation nears and you feel prepared thanks to your experience and education, you’ll likely be ready to start applying for jobs.
Putting together a professional resume and cover letter before you start the job hunt is important. Once you’ve done that, you can start preparing for interviews so you feel more confident talking to employers and know a bit more of what to expect.
Coming to an interview prepared and ready to talk about how you are a good fit for the position is important. Keep reading to find out more about the process and to get some tips to prepare.
To be ready for a career in welding, it’s important to get the training and hands-on experience you need. UTI’s Welding program teaches students the four major types of arc welding methods that are used across a range of industries.
Before graduation, you should take time to consider where you might want to apply. Taking steps early and even looking for jobs before completing the program can make a difference.
According to Sandra Walker, director of Student & Career Services at UTI Houston, “Welding employers are like a secret society. Students must start the career search earlier in the program (and be) open to securing a nonrelated position in a welding company while attending UTI.”
Long story short: If you’re still attending UTI, applying for jobs when you’re in school can help give you real-world experience early on. You just need to be willing to apprentice or work in a different role at first until you gain some credibility with the company or graduate.
Sandra adds, “Inform management that you’re attending UTI, and communicate future goals of advancing into an industry-related position.”
Having a willingness to learn and work your way up, especially when you’re still in school, can make a big difference and impart a good first impression on an employer.
There are several things you can do to prepare for a welding job interview. While you may find that you’re nervous and under a lot of pressure, following some of these steps can help alleviate some of your worries:
Taking these simple steps before the interview can make a world of difference when it comes to how confident and prepared you feel.
Knowing what some of the common interview questions and answers might be for welding roles is one more way you can feel better prepared.
The answer to this question might vary depending on whether you’ve graduated from UTI yet or not. However, it’s a pretty easy one to answer! Just talk about the program you’re currently enrolled in, or if you’ve graduated, explain the different courses and training you’ve received with arc welding types.
Welding certifications can be obtained after graduation. The Welding Technology program at UTI prepares students with the skills they need to test for these certifications. Be sure to mention these if you have them!
Employers are going to be very interested in the types of welding processes you know. This is where you can elaborate a bit on each method you have experience with (and you might be asked for a demonstration).
Students in UTI’s Welding program are taught four major types of arc welds used in the industry. These include gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
One of the most important aspects of a welding role is the ability to adhere to safety protocols. Be prepared to describe the steps you take to follow these guidelines and what you do to ensure you are welding safely and correctly.
As a welder, you are responsible for your portion of work in a process that involves many other steps and likely other skilled trade workers. Being able to state your role in a larger project and how you manage your time effectively is important so employers know they can rely on you.
Having an idea of where you want your career in welding to take you will help you answer this question. Do you have the end goal of being a welding inspector or specializing in a specific type of welding? Let the interviewer know, and be confident in your responses.
Now that you’re prepped and familiar with some potential questions, it’s time for the actual interview! There are some things you can do during the interview that can help make a good first impression with the interviewer and other staff members:
Sandra adds that some of the best interview tips are to “show passion, own your abilities and effectively communicate the skills obtained at UTI, as well as any other accolades that will stand out to an employer.”
The interview may be over, but it’s not time to sit back and relax just yet. Taking the time to do a few things afterward can help you further your connection with the employer and improve for future interviews.
It’s important to ask the interviewer what the next steps are before leaving. This way, you’ll know the estimated timeframe for when a decision will be made. Knowing this gives you the opportunity to send a follow-up message.
One thing you should do within 24 hours of the interview is send a thank-you message or email. Taking the time to thank the person who interviewed you with a letter and reiterating why you’re the right person for the job can help make you stand out from the candidate pool.
This letter should be concise and to-the-point so the employer doesn’t have to take too much time to read it. Be sure to customize the message and proofread it before sending.
An example thank-you letter might look something like this: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tips-for-writing-a-job-interview-thank-you-letter-2058788.
Remember to be patient while a decision is being made. Taking time to write down key points from the interview and going over how you might improve can help you down the road if you end up doing additional interviews. You can always learn something from an interview!
Pursuing a career as a welder means getting the training and education needed for the hands-on role. The Welding Technology program at UTI can help you graduate confident and help prepare you for an entry-level role in the industry in less than a year.
You can find out more about the Welding program and how you can get started on the path to a career you’re passionate about by requesting more information here.
It takes time and proper training to build a welding career. Learn how to become a welder and get training at UTI to help you pursue a career.
Welding burnback is an issue that can delay a project. Find out what causes it and how to prevent it here.
Welding is a career that offers many unique opportunities. Find out how you can become a traveling welder and see new places!
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
50) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers will be 434,900 by 2031. See Table 1.2 Employment by detailed occupation, 2021 and projected 2031, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed October 13, 2022. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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