Building a Welder Resume: Your How-To Guide

Your resume is a crucial document when applying for a welding position, as it provides a summary of your education and experience. It is important to put together your resume in a way that highlights your potential and makes a good first impression.

Elements to include in your welding resume are a summary or objective, work experience, education, relevant skills and awards or accomplishments in relation to the job position you are considering. The appearance of your resume is important, so choose a simple design with neutral colors and a legible font. Along with your resume, it is recommended to write a tailored cover letter that highlights why you are qualified and interested in the position.

Whether you’re creating a resume from scratch or working to update a previous one, having a guide to follow can help ensure you include all the necessary information. Continue reading to find out what to include in your resume, how to format it and more.

3 Steps To Create a Welding Resume

Your resume is the first thing an employer sees before they meet you, so it’s important that you put it together in a way that highlights your potential and makes a good first impression.

Step 1: Collect all your important info

Before writing your resume, you need to have all relevant information handy! Here’s a list of info you may want to gather before you dive in:

• Your accomplishments and achievements related to welding: Think of specific projects you’ve completed, awards you've earned or challenges you’ve overcome that demonstrate your welding abilities.
• A list of your skills. Break your skills into two categories:
  • Hard skills include your technical abilities—like MIG, TIG and stick welding, blueprint reading, metal fabrication, safety protocols and equipment setup. These are measurable skills you've learned through training or hands-on experience.
  • Soft skills are just as important and often overlooked. These include teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving and attention to detail—traits that help you thrive in a shop or job site setting.
• Details about previous employers, internships and personal projects: Include company names, dates of employment, job titles and a short description of your responsibilities or contributions—especially if they relate to welding or skilled trades.
• Any formal training, education and certifications: Include programs like UTI’s Welding Technology program as well as any industry-recognized certifications such as the AWS Certified Welder credential.
• Awards or honors you’ve received: Mention anything that sets you apart—like employee of the month, perfect attendance or competition placements.

Step 2: Add your resume elements

Every resume has common elements to include that can show an employer why you are a right fit for the job.

Important elements include:

• Contact information
• Resume summary
• Experience or work history
• Skills section
• Education and training programs
• Certifications

Step 3: Proofread and edit your resume

A resume is a document that can be altered and changed over time, depending on the type of experience and achievements you gather. Updating your resume and improving it often is something you should be sure to do. It’s also important that you edit your resume depending on what job you’re applying for. That way you can ensure that the skills and experience align with the position as best as possible.

The job market is competitive, especially when it comes to the skilled trades. For a resume to catch an employer’s eye, it needs the right combination of relevant content and a professional, streamlined layout.

Elements To Include on a Welder Resume

All resumes are unique to some extent, based on the skills and experience they reflect. That said, there are some basic elements that all resumes should cover.

Welder resume objective or summary

Depending on your background, you should include either an objective or a summary at the top of your resume.

A resume summary should be used if you have previous welding experience in the workforce. It will outline your past welding jobs and skills, including accomplishments that can highlight why you’re a great choice for the job.

An example summary might say something like, “Experienced MIG welder with 2+ years of experience working for Lincoln Electric. Seeking to use management and leadership skills to manage employees and large-scale welding projects.”

A resume objective is the choice you should go with if you have little to no experience in the workforce. This will express who you are and what your career goals are.

An example objective might say something like, “Universal Technical Institute graduate seeking full-time employment with Lincoln Electric. Looking to secure an entry-level position as a welder that will allow me to use the skills I acquired to pursue a career in the industry.”

Whether you include a summary or objective, be sure to provide enough information to interest the employer without going overboard. Short and sweet is best!

Work experience

This section of your resume is where you outline previous positions or jobs you’ve held. Outlining past work experience can help show how you’d be beneficial to a new welding role. With each position you list, be sure and include:

• Company name
• Your title
• Dates worked (for example, March 2018 to June 2019)
• A list of job duties and accomplishments

Always list your job experience in chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For this section, just like with your summary/objective, be sure to include relevant information without making it too lengthy. If you’re a recent graduate, you might be thinking, “I’m not sure what to include—I don’t have a lot of working experience!” Don’t fret. You can list personal projects you’ve worked on, as well as volunteer or academic projects in this section. Be sure to list specifics of what these projects entailed and how they’re relevant to the career you’re pursuing in the welding industry.

Education

One key section that employers have their eyes open for is education. This is where you list what school or schools you’ve attended, your graduation year, programs completed and GPA.

This section also gives you the opportunity to list additional certifications you might have. If you’ve taken and passed any tests with the American Welding Society, for example, this would be a great place to highlight those and help set yourself apart from other candidates. The UTI Welding program also prepares students to undertake relevant industry welding tests and pursue AWS certifications. This is also a section you can expand upon if you find that your experience section is short or if you’re a recent graduate. As a UTI welding graduate, for example, you could list individual courses you took that are relevant to the position.¹ This might look like:

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Bloomfield, New Jersey

Welding Technology

• Introduction to Welding, Safety and Careers
• Principles of Welding
• Gas Metal Arc Welding I (GMAW)
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding I (SMAW)
• Engineering and Fabrication
• Gas Metal Arc Welding II (GMAW)
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding II (SMAW)
• Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Pipe Welding
• Welding Applications I (GMAW & FCAW)
• Welding Applications II (SMAW & GTAW)

Relevant skills

Depending on the job you’re applying for, the skills section on your resume can be tailored to fit it. It’s important to pay close attention to the job description of the position you’re applying for before writing out your relevant skills.

Skills include your abilities to do something thanks to training and experience. Welding skills for a resume may include things like math and science (including working with formulas), problem-solving and quality control. If you have some work experience and are applying for a higher position, such as a welding inspector, a mention of your leadership skills would fit well.

Awards and accomplishments

Any awards or accomplishments that could benefit you in the role can be listed in a separate section on your resume. These things could be anything from being voted “Employee of the Month” to having a high GPA or perfect attendance.

Contact Info

Be sure to include your contact information somewhere on your resume. An employer will need this information if they decide to reach out to you, so be sure and include the following:

• First and last name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• LinkedIn profile (if desired) 

Read: 5 Tips for Answering Welding Interview Questions 

How To Design and Format Your Welding Resume

Download a welding resume template

Start by choosing a template that’s clean, professional and easy to navigate. Look for a layout that emphasizes skills, experience and certifications. Sites like Canva and Indeed offer free templates that are customizable and industry-appropriate. Just make sure the design doesn’t distract from the content.

Reverse chronological order

List your most recent experience first and work backward. This format helps employers quickly see your current skill level and the types of jobs or training you’ve completed. Include job titles, company names, dates and a few bullet points that describe your responsibilities or accomplishments. Be sure to include not only your work experience but also your education, especially if you’ve completed a relevant welding program or earned industry certifications that strengthen your qualifications.

For example, if you're a recent graduate of Universal Technical Institute’s Welding Technology program, you could format your education like this:

Education
Welding Technology Program
Universal Technical Institute | Graduated: May 2025
Key Skills: MIG, TIG, Stick welding, Blueprint reading, Safety protocols and more.

Including your education ensures employers know you’ve received formal training, which is crucial in the welding industry. Additionally, mentioning specific skills and certifications that you’ve gained during your training can set you apart from other candidates.

Consistent fonts and bullet points

Use the same font style and size throughout the resume—typically something clean like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Keep bullet points uniform in shape and alignment to make your resume easier to read. Consistency shows attention to detail, which is key in welding.

Keep it concise and scannable

Try to keep your resume to one page, especially if you’re just starting out. Use bullet points and headers to break up text and make it easy for hiring managers to scan quickly. Highlight key skills and certifications near the top to grab attention right away.

Save as a PDF

Once your resume is complete, save it as a PDF file to ensure the formatting stays intact when you email or upload it. PDFs look more professional and prevent issues with spacing or font changes that can happen in word-processing files. You can find plenty of welder resume examples online with a quick Google search, but here’s a link to an example of a welding resume to get you started: https://resumegenius.com/resume-samples/welder-resume-example

Welder Resume Example

Composing a Welding Cover Letter

Research the company

Before writing your cover letter, take a few minutes to learn about the company. What kinds of welding projects do they take on? What industries do they serve? What values do they highlight on their website or job posting? Including a sentence or two about why you’re excited to work for them shows initiative and helps your letter feel more personal.

Address the hiring manager (if possible)

If you can find the name of the hiring manager or supervisor, use it in your greeting—it shows attention to detail and a genuine interest in the position. If a name isn’t listed, something like “Dear Hiring Manager” still works well. Avoid overly generic greetings like “To Whom It May Concern.”

Reference the specific job title

Be sure to mention the exact title of the role you’re applying for near the beginning of your letter. This makes it clear what position you're targeting and helps the employer quickly connect your letter with the open job. It also shows that you’ve tailored your application, rather than sending a generic form letter.

Align your skills and experience with the job description 

Look at what the employer is asking for in the job posting, and highlight the skills, training and experience you have that match. Whether it’s MIG welding, blueprint reading or working with certain materials, be specific about how your background fits the role. Use short examples to show how you’ve used those skills in training or past jobs.

Welding Cover Letter Example

A cover letter for a welding position might look something like this:

https://resumegenius.com/cover-letter-examples/welder-cover-letter

Remember at the end of the day that your resume and cover letter can be a great way to make a first impression and attract the attention of an employer. Putting them together and perfecting them can help give you confidence when interviewing for roles you’re passionate about.

Get Started On Your Welding Career Journey with UTI!

A well-crafted welder resume helps showcase your skills, certifications and experience. By putting in the effort to create a clear, professional resume, you'll be better prepared for interviews and can take the next step toward a welding career!

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers hands-on training with expert instructors who will guide you every step of the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, UTI’s Welding Technology program prepares graduates for a range of industries.¹ With an industry-focused curriculum, you can gain the skills employers are looking for. Ready to turn your passion for welding into a career? Request more information today!