How to hire a woodworking shop hand

How to hire a woodworking shop hand, step by step

Here's a step-by-step woodworking shop hand hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a woodworking shop hand job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new woodworking shop hand
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a woodworking shop hand, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a woodworking shop hand to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a woodworking shop hand that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of woodworking shop hands.

   Type of Woodworking Shop Hand	Description	Hourly rate
   Woodworking Shop Hand		$12-18
   Assembly Line Worker	Assembly line workers are factory or production floor employees who work on putting together company products. They are assigned to work on a specific part of the product... Show more	$10-16
   Generator Worker	A Generator Worker is in charge of operating generator systems on a daily basis, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, understanding blueprints and schematics, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Shop Hand
   • CDL
   • Load Trucks
   • CNC
   • General Shop
   • MIG
   • DOT
   • Oil Changes
   • Overhead Cranes
   • Shop Maintenance
   • General Maintenance
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • Shop Environment
   • Shop Tools

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Utilize different tools in the process of MIG and TIG welding fasteners and connectors to damper units.
   • Require to operate EDM and CNC machines, grinders, sanders, drills, and various other small tool shop equipment.
   • Construct theatrical costumes for the stage and guide students in costume construction.
   • Use of MIG welders, cutting torch, and stick welders for repair on equipment.
   • Job responsibilities include mowing the property with a tractor, assist parts and shop personal.
   • Work also with windows, doors, shingles, tools, hardware, selling and delivering.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your woodworking shop hand job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A woodworking shop hand can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, woodworking shop hands' average salary in new mexico is 44% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level woodworking shop hands 32% less than senior-level woodworking shop hands.
   • Certifications. A woodworking shop hand with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a woodworking shop hand's salary.

   Average woodworking shop hand salary

   $15.31hourly

   $31,846 yearly

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   Entry-level woodworking shop hand salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a woodworking shop hand job description

   A job description for a woodworking shop hand role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a woodworking shop hand job description:

   Woodworking shop hand job description example

   The Shop Hand is responsible for ensuring tools are in excellent working order and rebuilds, cleans, and repairs tools. This position requires a strong knowledge of various production and completion downhole tools, e.g. packers, bridge plugs, fishing tools, casing repair tools, and power swivels. In addition, the Shop Hand must be experienced at using grinders, power saws, welders, cutting torches, spray paint equipment, and various other heavy duty shoptools.
   $15.30 - $21.00 an hour Specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities Works in a safe, healthy and environmentally protective manner and keeps a clean presentable work space Rebuilds and repairs many various cased hole production tools, completion tools, fishing tools and casing repair tools Inspects tools and ensures quality rebuilds and materials Ensures tools are cleaned painted and in good working order and tested prior to call outs Assists with inventory control, tracking and ordering of all tools, parts and equipment Responsible for welding, power swivel and pipe handler maintenance and delivery, tool evaluation and Tool Specialist assistance Qualifications
   This employee must: be at least 18 years of age pass a post-offer physical examination, fitness testing, safety aptitude test, drug tests & background check maintain proper legal authorization to work in the U.S. be able to speak and read English well enough to understand verbal and written safety postings, alerts and announcements, communicate with co-workers and be able to participate in job safety analysis meetings possess a valid Driver's License and meet Ensign Insurance Requirements to drive be mechanically inclined and exhibit safe shop work practices Technical Competencies Understands and is capable of reading all safety / training requirements and materials Behavioral Competencies Works in a manner that insures personal safety and the safety of fellow crewmembers Strives continuously to develop a greater knowledge of the total well service operation, including the duties and responsibilities of each position Respects chain of command and follows thru on instructions Education and Experience High School diploma or GED is preferred Other Accountabilities Business Ethics - Understands fully Ensign's ethics policy and its application in all
   business dealings including contractual agreements and contract negotiations Business Policies - Understands and agrees to follow all of Ensign's Policy and Directives
   and procedures as set forth in the Ensign Company Policy and Basic Directives Handbook for
   Employees Certifications - Maintains valid First Aid and CPR Certifications and technical and safety
   certifications required by company or government agencies; remains current on all OSHA, EUSD and
   other required training Drug-free workplace - Conforms to a drug-free workplace, is not under the influence of
   mind-altering prescription or non-prescription drugs, including alcohol and other drugs of abuse Occupational Health and Safety - Understands fully the Ensign Health and Safety policy and
   demonstrates self-responsibility for own health and safety at work; demonstrates responsibility to
   avoid adversely affecting the health and safety of others through any act or omission Uses the correct protective clothing and equipment as provided by Ensign and guards against
   misuse or damage to such equipment Reports any hazardous situations arising in the workplace that cannot be self corrected, or
   injury incurred during the course of work, no matter how minor Avoids injury resulting from manual handling tasks, by use of risk assessment, correct
   mechanical handling equipment and correct manual handling techniques Ensign United States Drilling Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Ensign provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Ensign takes affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat qualified individuals without discrimination as required by law.

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5. Post your job

   To find woodworking shop hands for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any woodworking shop hands they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level woodworking shop hands with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your woodworking shop hand job on Zippia to find and recruit woodworking shop hand candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit woodworking shop hands, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new woodworking shop hand

   Once you have selected a candidate for the woodworking shop hand position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new woodworking shop hand first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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