No doubt. Having a job is important. Having a good job, one that is satisfying and offers growth, is even more important. As businessman Steve Jobs said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Poet and author Maya Angelou stated, “Pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

Being a machinist is clearly a great job field today. Technology in manufacturing has driven metal stamping and metal fabricated parts into high demand due to requirements for precision, durability, safety and high-quality production. Machinists are in great demand in such industries as aerospace, the medical industry, defense, the automotive industry, agriculture, and others.

Machinist Jobs

Being a machinist includes:

• Reviewing blueprints, drawings, and specifications.
• Taking measurements and marking materials.
• Selecting appropriate machines, positioning and loading materials.
• Determining and programing machines for batches of work, then monitoring machines.
• Checking output for desired quality.
• Performing regular maintenance and making repairs as needed.

Job requirements include:

• A High School diploma or its equivalent, completion of vocational training, college training and often an apprenticeship.
• Good math skills, along with analytical abilities.
• Being able to read blueprints, drawings and schematics.
• Having physical strength and stamina.
• Being detail-focused.
• Ability to use precision tools.
• Knowledge of metal properties.
• Experience in using and programming automated tools and machines

Questions to Ask a Company Before Taking a Machinist Job

To be an effective machinist requires trust in the company and in its leadership. So, questions should be asked to ensure complete confidence, including: What are the company’s core values? What is the culture like here? What are your safety standards? What do your employees say about the company? What continuing training and education opportunities are available? What does success look like in the position being considered? What are the growth opportunities; the career path? What have your most successful employees done to achieve their success?

In addition to getting a clear understanding of machinist job standards and expectations, the standard hiring questions should be asked including benefits, vacation time, work time and shift scheduling and performance measurement.

Questions to Ask Yourself About the Potential Job

Before saying “yes” to the machinist job, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I like the company and the people that I will work for? Will I be proud to work here?
2. Do I like the position as it was described? Do I really want to do the work?
3. Do I like what I see about the work environment?
4. Does this job fit my career growth plans?

Questions that the Company Will ask Prospective Employees

Being a machinist is a demanding job with some high expectations, so the company will ask questions to determine abilities including:

1. What types of machines do you have experience in running?
2. What steps would you go through to diagnose a machine malfunction?
3. What experience do you have in a physically demanding role?
4. How have you used math, problem-solving and analytical skills?
5. How do you work in a team environment?
6. How do you respond to conditions of stress?
7. What types of routine machine maintenance have you performed?

Seek Proven Expertise for Your Quality Metal Stamping Needs

Contact Velocity Metalworks, serving the Greater St. Louis area and the Midwest. We have been recognized as a valuable partner in the metal stamping industry for our strong tool design and build competency. With our metal stamping capacity, precision machining services and EDM capability, we provide the superior experience, precision and quality you can depend on.