Underwater welders are in high demand to work on oil rigs, pipelines, and other underwater construction projects. But before you can start your new job, you’ll need to pass an interview.
A lot of questions will be asked about your welding experience, safety record, and fitness level during the interview. You might also be asked about your teamwork skills and how you deal with stress and tough situations.
We have put together a list of sample interview questions and answers that you can use to come up with your own answers.
Welding is a high skill trade. Underwater welding is even more difficult because you need to be able to dive professionally in addition to having great welding skills.
To become an underwater welder, you’ll need to show that you’re good at welding, diving safety, working under pressure, and quickly coming up with solutions. Interviews will test all of these abilities and more.
I’ve put together this complete guide to help you ace your underwater welder interview. With the right preparation you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward and show interviewers why you’re the perfect person for the job.
Why Interviewers Ask Certain Questions
Before we get into the actual questions, it’s helpful to understand why interviewers ask certain types of questions in the first place This will help you craft better responses.
Technical Questions
Any underwater welding interview will feature plenty of technical questions about your hands-on experience. Interviewers want to assess your practical welding and diving knowledge. Being able to talk through real examples of your work will demonstrate your proficiency.
Safety Questions
A huge focus will be on safety protocols and emergency response. Underwater welding is extremely dangerous. Interviewers need to know you have the knowledge and discipline to work safely. Expect plenty of scenario-based questions testing your safety skills.
Behavioral Questions
These questions evaluate soft skills – your problem-solving abilities, communication style, and how you handle stress or difficult situations. Underwater welding requires calmness under pressure. Giving examples of how you’ve succeeded in challenging circumstances will impress interviewers.
Knowledge-Based Questions
Some questions will assess your technical knowledge, like metallurgy, welding methods, diving physics, and equipment maintenance. Studying up before the interview will help you demonstrate your expertise.
Let’s look at some of the most common underwater welder interview questions and the best ways to answer them:
25 Common Underwater Welder Interview Questions and Answers
Technical Questions
1. What types of projects have you worked on as an underwater welder?
This opens the door for you to talk about your hands-on experience. Focus on projects that demonstrate a wide range of skills and highlight your technical proficiency.
Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to work on many complex underwater welding projects over my 5 years in this field. Most recently, I was part of the team repairing offshore oil rigs damaged by hurricanes. This involved wet welding steel structural members 200 feet underwater. It was an extremely challenging project requiring adaptability to constantly changing conditions. We successfully completed all repairs on schedule while upholding rigorous safety standards.”
2. How would you compare wet welding to dry welding? What are the benefits and challenges of each method?
This question tests your familiarity with the two main underwater welding techniques. Show the interviewer you have practical experience with both methods.
_Example: _”In wet welding, the arc is exposed directly to the surrounding water. The advantage is it’s a much faster process. However, visibility is low and hydrogen cracking is a major concern. Dry welding uses a special enclosure or habitat filled with an inert gas mix. It’s slower and more expensive, but allows for a higher quality weld with fewer defects. I’ve performed both methods extensively. Wet welding requires exceptionally steady hands, while dry welding demands meticulous preparation and testing.”
3. How do you ensure the integrity of welds in an underwater environment?
Demonstrate your knowledge of producing high quality, defect-free welds underwater. Mention specific QA/QC tests and safety checks you perform.
Example: “Several steps are vital to ensure weld integrity underwater. First, I use V-groove joint preparations which allow full penetration in spite of poor visibility. I carefully monitor voltage, amperage and travel speed while welding to maintain consistency. Once complete, I perform visual, dye penetrant, and ultrasonic inspections to verify internal and external soundness. I also examine the weld for defects like porosity or cracking, which can weaken the joint.”
4. How do you stay current with the latest underwater welding technologies, codes, and regulations?
Show your commitment to continuous learning and professional development in this ever-evolving field.
Example: “I make it a priority to stay up-to-date on the latest underwater welding technologies and codes. I maintain membership in key industry organizations which provide access to the most current research and techniques. I regularly attend conferences and seminars to learn directly from experts in the field. Reading industry publications also keeps me current on new technologies as they emerge.”
Safety & Emergency Questions
5. What emergency procedures would you follow in the event of a loss of communication during a dive?
Demonstrate your safety-first mindset and training on proper emergency response protocols.
Example: “Maintaining communication throughout a dive is critical, so loss of communication would warrant an immediate controlled emergency surfacing. I would visually signal my dive buddy to surface while monitoring my ascent rate and performing a 3-5 minute safety stop at 15 feet. Upon surfacing, I would switch to the backup communication system and notify the surface team of the primary radio failure. I would only re-descend once communications were fully restored.”
6. How do you calculate decompression times when planning repetitive dives? What precautions do you take to prevent decompression sickness?
Show in-depth knowledge of decompression theory and strict adherence to tables/dive computers. Mention use of safety stops, gradual ascents, and proactive hydration/rest between dives.
Example: “I consult decompression tables or dive computers to calculate allowable bottom time and necessary decompression stops for repetitive dives. For added safety, I add 2-3 minutes of conservatism in my plans. During ascents, I keep a maximum ascent rate of 30 feet/minute and perform 3-5 minute safety stops every 15 feet. Before repetitive dives, I allow full surface intervals and rehydrate. I avoid flying for at least 18 hours post-dive. Following these protocols prevents decompression sickness.”
7. If your dive helmet started leaking air at 150 feet underwater, what steps would you take?
Demonstrate you have the skills and composure to handle life-threatening emergencies. Show step-by-step actions focused on safety.
Example: “First, I would engage my emergency gas supply and start a controlled ascent no faster than 30 feet/minute. Once I reach a depth of 70 feet, I would slowly switch back to the leaking main helmet supply while signaling my dive partner to begin his ascent also. At 20 feet, I would remove the helmet to prevent further flooding and switch to my regulator for the final ascent. Upon surfacing, I would exit the water immediately and undergo medical evaluation.”
8. How do you handle tasks like welding, cutting, or drilling without damaging the underwater environment?
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Top 100+ Latest Underwater Welding Exam Question and Answers | Underwater Welder Interview Questions
FAQ
Do underwater welders make 300k?
What is the biggest risk of underwater welding?
What are the basics of underwater welding?
How do I get a job in underwater welding?
Once that basic commercial diver training is completed, it is common practice to apply for employment at one of many commercial diving companies that offer underwater welding as a service. An interview with the company of your choice is recommended to express your career goals in underwater welding and past welding experience.
What skills do you need to be an underwater welder?
Practically speaking, possessing the skills that are common to underwater welding operations, in addition to welding and diving, are recommended.
How do I learn underwater welding?
Underwater welding is a skill you also have to master once you obtain the basic commercial diving skills required. Again, it is suggested that you communicate with the commercial diving firm of your choice that offers underwater welding services, and train to its requirements.
How do you answer a welding interview question?
When you answer this question, explain your knowledge of different welding processes, your ability to follow different standards and your flexibility when learning new processes. It’s also important to highlight your expertise with a specific type of welding, especially if it’s the company’s specialization.
