Pipefitter Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a pipefitter, you'll need experience in reading blueprints accurately and performing QA inspections. If you want to stand out with your pipefitter applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your pipefitter applications.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a pipefitter 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 pipefitter resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main elements of a pipefitter resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your pipefitter resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your pipefitter resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
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.
Ellie Peterson
ellie.peterson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
linkedin․com/in/ellie–peterson123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for pipefitter roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for pipefitter roles.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why pipefitter roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for pipefitter roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of how to approach your pipefitter resume.
Good example:
Experienced Industrial Pipefitter with a strong background in installing, assembling, and maintaining piping systems for various industrial applications. Proficient in reading blueprints and schematics, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Skilled in using a variety of tools and equipment, performing pressure tests, and troubleshooting complex piping issues. Proven ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments, both independently and as part of a team. Dedicated to maintaining a safe and efficient worksite
Bad example:
Worked with pipes in different places, putting them together and making sure they work right. Can look at drawings and follow rules for safety and quality. Know how to use tools and check if pipes can handle pressure, and fix problems when they come up. Can handle busy work situations alone or with others. Focused on keeping the work area safe and running smoothly
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to pipefitter positions. Consider adding hydraulic systems knowledge, adaptability to change or any other necessary skills for the job. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for pipefitter positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Highlighting your hard skills
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for pipefitter jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in pipefitter roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a pipefitter resume are listed below.
- Pipe welding techniques
- Blueprint reading proficiency
- Hydraulic systems knowledge
Listing soft skills on your pipefitter resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for a pipefitter 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 pipefitter roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
An effective pipefitter 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.
- Adaptability to change
- Problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to pipefitter roles.
Candidates aren't usually required to have a degree for pipefitter positions, but it's still worth listing your highest or most relevant qualifications. If you have a recognized certification or qualification, such as OSHA Safety Certification, be sure to include this. You might also want to include any educational achievements that showcase hydraulic systems knowledge or blueprint reading proficiency.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Maintenance Technology, 2017 - 2020
University of Oregon, Eugene
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a pipefitter. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. 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 pipefitter.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a pipefitter resume:
- NCCER Pipefitting Certification, 2022
- ASME B31.3 Certification, 2022
- OSHA Safety Certification, 2022
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a pipefitter. 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.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to pipefitter roles.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to pipefitter jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Industrial Pipefitter, January 2022 - Present
Precision Piping Solutions, Glendale
- Successfully led the installation of a 10-mile industrial pipeline, ensuring zero safety incidents and meeting all project deadlines
- Achieved a 98% accuracy rate in pipe fitting and welding inspections, contributing to enhanced system reliability and performance
- Implemented a preventive maintenance program that reduced downtime by 30%, significantly increasing operational efficiency and cost savings
Bad example:
Industrial Pipefitter, January 2022 - Present
Precision Piping Solutions, Glendale
- Led various projects, ensuring team collaboration and timely completion
- Maintained high standards of work quality and safety
- Improved operational processes and contributed to team success
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Jobseeker Tip:
Additional Information
In addition to the core sections of a pipefitter resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your pipefitter resume. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
References aren't a standard pipefitter resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a pipefitter resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Install
- Assemble
- Fabricate
- Measure
- Align
- Weld
- Inspect
- Repair
- Troubleshoot
- Maintain
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example resume for pipefitter applications
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your pipefitter resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
5150 Maple Drive, Twin Peaks, WA
•
ellie.peterson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/ellie–peterson123
Experienced Industrial Pipefitting Technician with a strong background in installing, maintaining, and repairing piping systems in industrial settings. Proficient in reading blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to ensure accurate and efficient installations. Skilled in using a variety of tools and equipment to cut, thread, and weld pipes. Committed to maintaining high safety standards and ensuring regulatory compliance. Strong troubleshooting abilities and excellent teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with other trades and project managers
Industrial Pipefitting Technician
2020
-2022
PipeMaster Engineering Solutions (Corpus Christi)
- Successfully installed and maintained over 50 miles of industrial piping systems for major manufacturing facilities
- Led a team of 10 technicians to complete a complex pipeline project three weeks ahead of schedule
- Achieved a 98% first-time quality pass rate on piping system inspections over a two-year period
Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Technology
2017
-2020
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Urbana-Champaign)
Pipe welding techniques
Blueprint reading proficiency
Hydraulic systems knowledge
Adaptability to change
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
NCCER Pipefitting Certification
ASME B31.3 Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for pipefitter resumes
Tips to write the best resume
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Showcase your key pipefitter qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- List your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent job.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't lie or exaggerate any information on your pipefitter resume, as this can cause you problems further down the line.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When drafting your pipefitter resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
A pipefitter resume FAQs
As well as writing a professional pipefitter resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the pipefitter job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
As an experienced pipefitter, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. As a pipefitter with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. In your pipefitter 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 pipefitter application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines are also a powerful way of increasing your resume's chances of passing the ATS stage. They reference the job title and some of the keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Junior Pipefitter Specialist
- Expert Pipefitter with Precision Skills
- Senior Pipefitter Specialist and Leader
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your pipefitter resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
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