Who is a welder? This is a skilled trade person who joins metals together, fills and repairs holes on metal construction using intense heat and gas.
Below are the top 25 questions and answers a welder is likely to face at the interview.
8 Tips to Prepare for a Welder Interview
Here are eight key areas a welder should focus on when preparing for a welding interview:
Welder Interview Preparation
| Focus Area | Details | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Resume and Portfolio | Ensure your resume is up-to-date, emphasizing welding certifications, previous work experience, and any specialized skills. | Be ready to discuss specific projects, challenges you’ve overcome, and any notable achievements. Bring a portfolio showcasing photos or documentation of your work. |
| Welding Certifications | Clearly list and be prepared to discuss any welding certifications you hold, including AWS (American Welding Society) certifications. | Bring physical copies of your certifications, and be ready to explain the processes and positions you are certified in. |
| Safety Procedures | Familiarize yourself with industry safety standards and demonstrate a commitment to following proper safety procedures. | Mention specific safety training you’ve undergone, and be prepared to discuss how you prioritize safety in your work. |
| Welding Techniques | Highlight your expertise in various welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, Stick, or others relevant to the job. | Discuss specific projects where you applied different welding techniques and how your choice of method was appropriate for the task. |
| Material Knowledge | Demonstrate knowledge of welding various materials like steel, aluminum, and alloys. | Be prepared to discuss the challenges and considerations associated with welding different materials, and highlight any specialized experience. |
| Problem-solving Skills | Share examples of situations where you encountered welding problems and explain how you identified and resolved them. | Emphasize your adaptability and creative problem-solving skills in challenging welding scenarios. |
| Blueprint Reading | Familiarize yourself with reading welding symbols and understanding project specifications from blueprints. | If possible, bring examples of projects where you successfully interpreted blueprints to produce accurate welds. |
| Communication Skills | Highlight your ability to communicate with team members, supervisors, and other stakeholders on the job. | Practice explaining your work processes and techniques clearly, and be ready to discuss instances where effective communication was crucial to project success. |
Remember to research the company, understand the specific job requirements, and tailor your responses to demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with the needs of the position.
Top 25 Welder Interview Questions And Answers
Here are the top 25 Welder interview questions, along with a sample answer for each question.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
In this question, the interviewer wants to know why you are interested in working for them. It would be best if you talked about gaining skills and helping their company achieve its goals as well.
Sample Answer
“After learning that there was an opening for a welder role in your company, I did not hesitate to make my application since I had all it takes to be a welder. I would like to use the skills and knowledge that I have gained through education, training, and past experience to better the performance of your company in the welding sector. In addition, as you can see that I am still young and energetic, I still have the room to sharpen my skills and knowledge in this field by learning from you as well. Lastly, I would like to use my skills to earn a living and support my family who depend on me to bring the daily bread on the table.”
2. What Are The Roles Of A Welder?
When the interviewer asks you this question, they want to know whether you are aware of the duties and responsibilities that you are entitled to. Give them the main duties and responsibilities of a welder.
Sample Answer
“As a welder, there are a couple of duties and responsibilities that I am expected to perform in your company. These duties and responsibilities are;
These are the duties and responsibilities that I would be delighted to perform in your company are;
a) Perform welding activities from various department with help of welding torches and arcs
b) Analyse defensive equipment and identify appropriate defensive equipment and inform supervisor
c) Monitor all welding processes and ensure zero shrinkage and distortion of materials
d) Ensure clean well joint to obtain smooth look
e) Assemble all components with help of power and hand tools
f) Maintain disc grinder and perform all cleaning and grinding of metals ”
3. What Are The Qualities That A Welder Need To Be Successful
There are qualities that a good welder should have. Tell your interviewers the qualities that a welder should have to be successful in this role.
Sample Answer
“Despite having all qualifications, a welder needs to have personal qualities that will make them perform well in this role. A good welder should be creative to produce unique and good looking designs while welding. Secondly, a good welder should have artistic visions since this career is all about art and construction. Thirdly, a good welder should have knowledge on safety measures since safety should be first. Wide ranging knowledge of welding is also essential in this field. Lastly, concentration and focus is vital while welding.”
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage?
The interviewer wants to know the difficulties that you have come across in your previous roles. Talk about the main challenges relevant to this career and how you solved them.
Sample Answer
“In my previous work place, I encountered different types of challenges but still I was able to manage them. The main challenge that I encountered was getting a supply of poor quality metals which would give me a hard time while welding. Sometimes, I would even advise the customer that the metal that they brought cannot be repaired using gas but they could not believe me. In order to curb this, we had to check the metals first to see whether they are fit for repair using gas and advised our customers accordingly.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Welder?
Your interviewer wants to know the daily tasks that you would perform if you are given this role. Give them a very organized schedule from the first activity until the last activity you would perform that day.
Sample Answer
“Upon arrival at the site, I would have a brief meeting with the supervisor to advise on the activities of the day. I would then put on my safety gears and grab my working equipment to assemble them. After assembling everything, I would call my team and we would start working on the job assigned to us that day. Basically, welding involves welding metals over and over again. That would be the most part of what we are doing. After completing the task, I would take off my gear and keep them well for the next day.”
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
The interviewer wants to know about your past experience working as a welder. Talk about where you have worked, for how long, and the experience you gained from them.
Sample Answer
“As a welder, I have indulged a number of years into this field. To start with, I was employed in a door, gate and windows production company where our tasks were to build and design gates, doors, and windows. Here, I was able to gain great experience in this industry. I was able to interact with well experienced welders who helped me learn a lot of skills. I also continued to sharpen my experience as I worked for them for seven years. Having worked in such a company for those years would give me a good chance to qualify for this role.”
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
The interviewer wants to know what your attitude towards your role is like. Talk about what’s crucial that welders should focus on.
Sample Answer
“As a welder, I should be focused on giving the customers the best quality, well-designed, and outstanding services. Some of the customers we worked for would even refer their friends because of the good job we have done for them. With all that in mind, a good welder should always care for themselves since personal safety comes first. As much as those gears may seem uncomfortable and warm, a good welder would not remove them while working.”
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
What your interviewer is looking at is the difficulties that you think might affect this job in future. Talk about the main challenge that you think might affect this industry in the future.
Sample Answer
“The main challenge that may affect this industry in the future might be finding alternative ways to weld metals that are not friendly to gas welding. Since things are changing nowadays, people are using other materials like glasses to build their doors and windows without having metals. We need to find out ways in which we can repair them in the future. This might be the biggest challenge that may affect this industry in the future.”
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
Your interviewer wants to know what gives you morale and psych while you are at work. Consider talking about your achievements as your motivators.
Sample Answer
“As far as my career is concerned, I have been able to achieve so much and that’s what motivates me most. When I design and weld nice doors, gates, and windows, I am always getting the best ratings and comments about it. This makes me feel that the work of my hands is being appreciated. This makes me want to do more and more welding. It’s every welder’s wish to see the work they have done being top rated. This is a big motivation for me.”
10. Describe A Time When You Failed In This Role And The Lessons You Learnt
Since we learn from our mistakes, the interviewer wants you to tell them about a time when you made a mistake and the outcome was not as you expected.
Sample Answer
“At my entry-level in this career, I did not have the right knowledge on how to protect myself and wearing the gears that one should wear while working. As a result, the flame produced by sparks produced while welding affected my eyes. Luckily, I was able to seek treatment and everything went well. I learned that wearing protective gears is very important and can protect us from a lot of dangers. Having all the protective gear is essential in this field since there are a lot of health hazards in this sector.”
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Most Suited For This Role?
The interviewer wants to know why you think that you are the best of the best among the candidates that have applied for this role. Talk about your unique experience and knowledge.
Sample Answer
“Since a lot of mistakes can be made at the entry level of a welder, your company can avoid this by choosing an experienced welder. I have gained seven years-experience working in this industry. I would be delighted if you used my experience as an added advantage to me for the good of the company. Upon securing this position, I will not start from zero. I already know what it takes and what I am expected to do. This will also benefit this company in terms of saving cost and time to conduct training.”
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
Your interviewer wants you to share your greatest goal that you have attained in your career. Consider talking about awards, promotions, recognitions you have received in your career.
Sample Answer
“Since I started this job, I have received several awards out of my hard work. But to talk of the best awards, I remember when the best-selling welding services company in the country were. This was due to the good work that we did tirelessly. This was an award that came to us generally as the company’s employees. This was a great achievement for us.”
13. Tell Us The Five Types Of Welding That You Know Of.
Your interviewer wants to know whether you are conversant with the types of welding that are performed in welding companies. Take them through the main types.
Sample Answer
“There are different types of welding that are involved in this industry. The main are;
i) MIG welding – This involves bear wire and flux core joining
ii) Stick welding – This is a type of welding that involves using electrode welding rod
iii) TIG welding – This involves two hands where one hand feeds the rod and the other one holds a TIG torch
iv) Plasma Arc welding – This is where electrodes are recessed and the ionizing gases inside the arc are used to create heat.
v) Electron beam and laser welding – These are extremely precise where there are high energy welding techniques.
These would be the main types of welding that a welder can perform.”
14. Which Essential Safety Tools Does A Welder Require?
The interviewer wants you to tell them the protective gears that a welder should wear while welding
Sample Answer
“Since personal safety comes first in this industry, there are safety gears that one needs while welding. These are;
i) Welding helmets – This helps you protect your eyes and skin from powerful radiation emitted by the arc.
ii) Goggles and hand-held face shield – This is where you cannot wear helmets. It helps you protect your skin and eyes too.
iii) Gloves – These are used to protect the hands from the intensive radiation too.
iv) Respirators – Protects your lungs from melting metals which emit medley fumes which may be harmful to your lungs
v) Boots – These protect your legs from intense radiation too.
Those would be my top five protective gears that are essential.”
15. Mention The Main Joint Configurations
The interviewer is testing your knowledge on the joints that are made while welding. Mention the main joint configurations you know.
Sample Answer
“The main joint configurations I am aware of are;
i) Butt joint
ii) T joint
iii) Corner joint
iv) Edge joint
v) Cruciform joint
vi) Lap joint
These are the main joint configurations that I am aware of.”
16. What Are The Welding Safety Rules And Guidelines?
The interviewer wants to know whether you are aware of the rules and guidelines that you should follow as a welder. Talk about the key rules.
Sample Answer
“As a welder, these are the safety guidelines that every welder should always be keen about. These guidelines are;
i) Carefully study all guidelines on how to operate machines without assumption.
ii) Protect yourself from fumes and gases
iii) Take precautions against electrocutions
iv) Always know the environment you are working in whether it supports gas fumes and sparks.
v) Wear the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
vi) Avoid leaving machines unattended.
These are the key safety measures that one should check into while welding.”
17. Tell Us The Different Types Of Welding Positions That You Are Aware Of.
The interviewer wants to know whether you know the positions that you should be at when welding. Talk about the key positions
Sample Answer
“The main welding positions are;
i) Horizontal – Involves placing weld axis horizontally.
ii) Vertical – Involves lying both the plate and the weld vertically
iii) Overhead – Here, the weld is carried from the underside of the joint
iv) Flat position – This involves welding on the top side of the joint.
These are the four main positions that a welder is authorized to use while welding to avoid injuries or causing any damages.”
18. Why Did You Leave Your Last Role?
Your interviewer wants to know why you quit your previous job. Tell the interviewer why you left your job to apply another.
Sample Answer
“In my last role, I had been employed on a seven year contract that was renewable but I thought of changing my working environment to learn more skills from a different company as well.”
19. What Will You Offer To This Company In The Next One Month?
The interviewer wants to know what you have for the company in the first month.
Sample Answer
“In my first month, I will ensure that I have tested all my strategies and adapted to the new working environment. This will make me continue with my job as usual to maximize the company’s productivity from where I left in my previous job.”
20. What Is Your Biggest Fear In Your Career?
The interviewer wants to know what it is that you would not like to happen to you in your career.
Sample Answer
“My biggest fear in this career would be giving poor results to my company when it comes to welding. I have always trained to give the best in this industry and I wouldn’t want to experience poor performance in my career. That would be my biggest fear”
21. What Is The Most Challenging Welding Project You Have Worked On, And How Did You Overcome The Challenges?
Sample Answer
The answer to this question will depend on the candidate’s experience. Look for candidates who can describe a project that was particularly challenging and how they overcame the obstacles. For example, they may have had to work with a difficult material or in a tight space. The candidate should be able to explain how they approached the project and what steps they took to ensure its success.
22. How Do You Ensure That You Maintain A Safe Working Environment While Welding?
Sample Answer
Safety is a top priority in welding, and candidates should be able to demonstrate their commitment to it. Look for candidates who can describe the safety measures they take when welding, such as wearing protective gear, ensuring proper ventilation, and following safety protocols.
23. What Are Some Of The Common Welding Mistakes That You Have Made In The Past, And How Did You Correct Them?
Sample Answer
This question is designed to test the candidate’s self-awareness and ability to learn from their mistakes. Look for candidates who can describe a mistake they made in the past and how they corrected it. For example, they may have used the wrong welding technique or failed to properly prepare the material. The candidate should be able to explain what they learned from the experience and how they have improved their skills since then.
24. What Are Some Of The Most Important Qualities That A Welder Should Possess, And How Do You Demonstrate These Qualities In Your Work?
Sample Answer
Welders should possess a variety of qualities, including attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently. Look for candidates who can describe these qualities and provide examples of how they have demonstrated them in their work. For example, they may have identified a problem with a welding project and found a creative solution to fix it.
25. How Do You Stay Up-To-Date With The Latest Welding Techniques And Technologies?
Sample Answer
Welding is a constantly evolving field, and candidates should be committed to staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies. Look for candidates who can describe how they stay informed about new developments in the field, such as attending conferences, reading industry publications, or taking continuing education courses.
Conclusion
This is a very interesting role that needs creativity and artistic qualities too. Show your interviewers the qualities that you possess that might be of great help in this industry. All the best!
