How to Get Your First Welding Job (GUARANTEED HIRE)

[NOER]

Doesn’t really matter what shirt you wear? Boy you better put on a cotton shirt under that welding jacket unless you want to light up like a Christmas tree wearing synthetic materials...

[riverzdad]

The test also dictates the attire.
Pipe/rig work? Work clothes. Shop stuff? Nice button down and nice jeans with steel toes and an extra shirt in the car to change for the test.

Let me help a lot of you reading this.
A weld test is your time to show off, so show off. If you can walk the cup then walk it if you’re running tig for example. Just be humble about it.
Get your osha 10’s, get first aid/cpr certified and get a TWIC card. Must have’s and shows you’re serious about your job/profession. Plus the knowledge benefits you as well.

Hood, gloves, sharpie, welpers, that will get you by most tests. If you’re unsure ask specifically “will I need any specific tools for my tests besides xy and z”.

It also depends on the test. A 12x12 branch for pipe? They don’t give a fuck what you wear as long as you aren’t naked and can run a solid bead. Your also need a full rig because they aren’t providing shit for tools. Shop? Look professional, ask ahead of time what tools you’ll need specifically like I said above. The test isn’t just their time to see what you can do, it’s YOUR time to see what they have to offer as far as equipment and learning potential.

DONT EXPECT SHIT!
If you’re fresh out of school that means you can weld perfectly in perfect conditions I.e. a booth. They will most likely start you as a helper but bump your pay a couple bucks because you know a little about welding. The real schooling starts after school on the job. In my career I’ve had to weld with mirrors, left handed, backwards (back feeding), welding over slag and not getting inclusions or porosity, welding with the rod bent in half, Texas tig (google it). All the while having to pass UT on most of them. Why will you only start between 14-17per hour out of school? Because you don’t know layout, you don’t know field math, you don’t know any of the work related tricks to get things done faster. You know how to do 1 thing which is lay a bead. Why is all that important? Because in a test, that older guy who’s quite standing in the corner watching and tinkering with something is the guy hiring you most of the time, not the guy who’s giving you the test. You will have people watching your every move to see if you walk the walk. If you know lay out and are good at it or if you just run a mig gun. How you handle the equipment, how you approach the equipment, how you walk in the shop, even down to your boots. If your boots are clean everyone knows you’re knew. If you aren’t new you better be damn sure you can prove otherwise with your actions. First thing I did back when I was single hand was look at the guys boots. Tells you A LOT about how they work.


Last thing, if anyone shows up to a test with a grinder missing a guard you won’t get hired. Major osha violation and companies take that shit seriously. If I had a guy testing to be a welder/helper on my rig testing and he showed up with that he’s walking home.

[justinpalchick]

Honnestly this is some of the best wholesome advice I've seen on YouTube.

[edwardlopez]

I have my first interview tomorrow and this video is really useful, thanks man, really did help out a ton.

[buggock]

Great Video! I do TIG on aluminum, and I wanted to add one thing... Don't forget rags, guys! Alot of our sheet metal has oil and dust on it, and that definetley affects the weld, so make sure you are wiping that residue off. (I also use cotton rags for a headband haha)

[alexantonellis]

Watched this a year ago when I was about to get into school now watching it again now that I’ve gotten out of school with my ticket and about to go for an interview tomorrow. Great vid

[jamesswanson]

Show up with the grinders gard off you won't be welding

[weldingempire]

Hey Patrick, I really enjoyed your video. I have been welding for over 20 years and I forget a lot of the basic things that new people coming into the trade need to know. You have a great eye for details so you will go very far in this industry.

[genxry-]

Watching this today is my first day for a welders test will come back and edit this after the results thank you for this information my guy 🤟🏾🤟🏾

[romanianmoto]

Appreciate the video I'm a carpenter but I'm currently in welding school,

Yes put your safety glasses with your tools just put your safety glasses in a thick SOCK.
Resolves the issues of scratching your safety glasses

[TerriProductions]

Failed my first weld test to. Prolly the easiest thing ever. Wire kept hopping on me and now I now how to adjust to that.

[VTheSlumpGod]

You really did a great job explaining everything man, simple and to the point. Well said bro

[TheSheephat]

Great video! I have a welding shop and wish everyone that came in for weld test would see this video before showing up!

[youngjesus]

I got to advanced career institute and I’m currently mig welding. Already got stick down with 1-4f and g welds. Open root and with backing. Now I’m doing backing with mig and i was about to start looking for welding jobs but all the welders there were advising me to wait until i graduate from school or else id get tired of welding all day at the job and not want to go to school. I already have a full time job at Burger King and have been working there since i graduated from HS in 2020 but i am ready to quit that fast food life and move onto welding but i really don’t know if i should wait or not.

[sanaya]

No squares, clamps, soap stone or even a marker?

[scottkaercher]

I took my first weld test 32yrs ago. I welded on our farm when i turned 12yrs old and then i went to a factory. When i started welding all there was is stick welding. People need to get lighted hoods so they can see what their doing when they put their hoods down and they'll save on a stiff neck.

[caydenspencer]

Make sure to include you cannot use stainless steal brushes on mild steel

[MaliciousMalo]

I was waiting for him to lay down a weld

[newlifewarfare]

I actually have 2 weld tests in a couple days for 2 different companies😬

[itsyaboimat]

Patrick I have a question I have Cerebral Palsy and low-key suck at welding because of it I have a small shake in my hands I graduated welding school in September 2019 unfortunately for me no one wants to hire me I'm guessing from liability I haven't taken a single weld test because of this but I'm having a hard time getting even a interview especially once I say the words Cerebral Palsy should I go back to welding school and get more hood time or should I look at something like the ironworker union and get training from them I like welding alot but no one is willing to put in the time to help me not be total shit