Boilermaker Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a boilermaker provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving following OSHA regulations and installing boiler systems. To succeed in your applications for boilermaker roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your boilermaker applications.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a boilermaker resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to learn how to write a perfect boilermaker resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a boilermaker resume
Although the content of a boilermaker resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same. If you're an entry-level candidate without much work experience, that section may be less prominent in your resume. You ay focus instead on sections that showcase your skill set, such as education, projects, hobbies and hard and soft skills lists.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Abigail Jackson
abigail.jackson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
13 Elm Street, Springwood, OH
linkedin․com/in/abigail–jackson123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in boilermaker roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a boilermaker.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why boilermaker roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of what to include in your boilermaker resume summary.
Experienced Boilermaker with an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology, skilled in fabrication and welding. Proven expertise in constructing, assembling, and maintaining boilers and pressure vessels. Strong background as a Boilermaker/Fabrication Specialist, demonstrating proficiency in blueprint reading, metalworking, and adherence to safety standards
Worked in roles related to metalwork and construction. Have some education in a technical field. Involved in tasks like building and fixing things. Familiar with reading plans and working with materials. Pay attention to following rules and guidelines
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a boilermaker role. Skills such as welding and fabrication or attention to detail are particularly useful for boilermaker jobs. Again, refer to the boilermaker job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to list hard skills on your boilermaker resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for boilermaker positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your boilermaker job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the boilermaker role. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a boilermaker resume, see below.
- Welding and fabrication
- Blueprint reading
- NDT techniques
Soft skills on your boilermaker resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a boilermaker position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to boilermaker roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective boilermaker resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Educational Achievements
In your education section, include details of your most relevant boilermaker qualifications and educational achievements.
While a degree isn't usually a requirement for a boilermaker position, it's still recommended to list your highest or most relevant qualifications. If you have a recognized qualification, such as NCCER Boilermaker Certification, list these here. Any educational achievements that show welding and fabrication or metal cutting can be useful for this section.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology, 2017 - 2020
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to boilermaker jobs. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a boilermaker.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a boilermaker resume:
- ASME Boiler Certification, 2022
- AWS Welding Certification, 2022
- NCCER Boilermaker Certification, 2022
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a boilermaker position. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Boilermaker/Fabrication Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Ironclad Boilers Ltd, Tucson
- Successfully led a team in fabricating and installing industrial boilers for a major power plant, reducing project time by 15%
- Developed and implemented a new welding technique that increased joint strength by 25% and reduced material costs by 10%
- Spearheaded the overhaul of a critical refinery system, minimizing downtime and ensuring compliance with stringent safety regulations
Boilermaker/Fabrication Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Ironclad Boilers Ltd, Tucson
- Led a team in project tasks, improving efficiency and outcomes
- Developed new techniques to enhance work quality and reduce costs
- Managed system upgrades, ensuring compliance and minimizing disruptions
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Resume tip:
Focus on specific accomplishments that highlight your work ethic and reliability, such as "reduced processing time by 15%" or "earned Employee of the Month twice." (1) Pair this with a simple, clean format that ensures your resume looks professional and approachable. (2)
Optional Resume Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a boilermaker resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your boilermaker resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a boilermaker resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in a boilermaker resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Install
- Fabricate
- Weld
- Repair
- Assemble
- Inspect
- Align
- Maintain
- Construct
- Dismantle
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of a boilermaker resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example boilermaker resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
13 Elm Street, Springwood, OH
•
abigail.jackson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/abigail–jackson123
A highly skilled Boilermaker with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and extensive experience as a Boilermaker Specialist. Proficient in the design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of boilers, tanks, and closed vats. Demonstrates strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality standards in all projects. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams and lead complex mechanical operations to successful completion.
Boilermaker Specialist
2020
-2022
IronForge Engineering Solutions (Orlando)
- Successfully supervised the installation of over 50 industrial boilers, ensuring compliance with safety standards and client specifications
- Enhanced boiler maintenance protocols, reducing downtime by 30% and extending equipment lifespan through predictive maintenance techniques
- Led a team in the retrofitting of aging boiler systems, resulting in a 25% increase in energy efficiency and cost savings
Welding and fabrication
Blueprint reading
NDT techniques
Attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork and collaboration
ASME Boiler Certification
AWS Welding Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a boilermaker resume
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Include your educational achievements, including any impressive grades. Focus on the most relevant qualifications for the role.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Kick off your boilermaker resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Make your boilermaker resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Don't list work experience that has no relation to the role you're applying for. It wastes space and is unlikely to impress hiring managers.
- Don't fill up your boilermaker resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your boilermaker resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
FAQs for a boilermaker resume
Accompanying your resume for boilermaker applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the boilermaker role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
As an experienced boilermaker, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. You may wish to include a longer-than-average work experience section in your boilermaker resume, to emphasize your career experience to date and showcase relevant achievements in work. In your boilermaker resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your boilermaker application, a resume headline can help. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Boilermaker Specialist
- Expert Boilermaker and Fabricator Specialist
- Expert Senior Boilermaker Specialist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for your boilermaker resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
