RESUME MISTAKES
Forge a Winning Blacksmith Resume
Identify and repair the most common resume mistakes that stop you from getting hired in the metalworking trade.
How This Page Helps
Help blacksmiths create resumes that showcase their craftsmanship, experience, and safety certifications while passing ATS filters.
Spot vague skill descriptions
Correct improper formatting for trade resumes
Align your resume with ATS used by manufacturing firms
Showcase certifications and apprenticeship details
Eliminate generic job titles that hide your expertise
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titlesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your specific trade expertise
- ATS may not match industry keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific ones like 'Journeyman Blacksmith' or 'Forge Technician'
- Add a brief line of key responsibilities
❌ Before
Smith, John – Production Worker
✓ After
John Smith – Journeyman Blacksmith (Forge Technician)
ATS Tip
Include the exact term 'Blacksmith' and related keywords such as 'metal forging', 'heat treatment'.
Detection Rules
title contains 'worker', 'assistant', 'staff' without trade qualifier
Resumly Tip
Our parser flags generic titles and suggests industry‑specific alternatives.
Omitting safety and certification detailsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Employers in metalworking prioritize safety compliance
- ATS often scans for certifications like OSHA, AWS
How to fix
- Create a dedicated 'Certifications' section
- List OSHA 10/30, AWS Certified Welder, etc.
❌ Before
Experience: Forged various metal parts.
✓ After
Certifications: OSHA 30‑Hour General Industry, AWS Certified Welder (SMAW)
ATS Tip
Use exact certification names; avoid abbreviations only.
Detection Rules
no 'certifications' heading
no mention of OSHA or AWS
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights missing safety credentials and suggests adding them.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for action verbs and measurable results
How to fix
- Start bullet points with strong verbs
- Quantify output (e.g., 'Produced 150 forged swords per month')
❌ Before
Responsible for heating metal and shaping tools.
✓ After
Heated and forged over 150 custom swords monthly, reducing lead time by 20%.
ATS Tip
Include numbers and keywords like 'produced', 'reduced', 'increased'.
Detection Rules
bullets start with 'responsible for', 'duties include'
Resumly Tip
Our tool rewrites passive duties into achievement‑focused statements.
Improper formatting – using tables or graphicsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Many ATS cannot read tables or images
- Hiring managers may have trouble parsing the text
How to fix
- Use simple bullet points and standard headings
- Save as .docx or PDF (text‑based)
❌ Before
Resume includes a two‑column table with icons.
✓ After
Resume uses single column, plain text headings.
ATS Tip
Stick to standard fonts like Arial, 10‑12 pt.
Detection Rules
contains '<table>' tag or image placeholders
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans for non‑text elements and recommends a clean layout.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF (text‑based), DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Skills, Work Experience, Certifications, Education, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName LastName – Blacksmith Resume
Consistency
Length: One to two pages, focusing on the most recent 10 years of experience
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use specific trade titles
- Include certifications and safety training
- Show measurable achievements
- Use ATS‑friendly fonts and headings
- Save as PDF (text‑based)
- Proofread for spelling and metalworking terminology
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Bullhorn
Keyword Strategy: blacksmith, forge, metalworking, welding, heat treatment, OSHA, AWS, apprenticeship, custom fabrication
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Work Experience' and 'Certifications' to ensure ATS parses sections correctly.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current blacksmith resume text below
- Replace generic titles with specific trade titles
- Add a Certifications section
- Convert duty‑based bullets to achievement statements
- Remove tables and images
- Standardize date and location formats
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