New Auto Body Worker Interview Preparation Guide

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The work environment was really friendly. It was very open. I could talk to my bosses about anything. It’s pretty easy going. They teach you how to do it, and it’s really learning by doing.

I work hard, I am an excellent problem solver, I am a happy person, even though I am learning, I have a huge will to learn, and I'm easy to be around and easy going. I will be at the very top of the list of the hardest workers in the shop.

In this line of work, no one can work alone. Teamwork is of great importance. Body repair technicians, body painters and engine technicians all have to work together to complete a restoration project.

No. We provide free estimates as a courtesy to our customers.

My creative juices get flowing at the sight of a challenge. I welcome them with an open mind. In fact, if there isn’t a challenge involved, the work does get a tad boring and mundane.

I work very well under pressure, however I appreciate being treated well. If I am treated well, I will guarantee I will work harder than any other technician in a shop.

My job title was a parts sales representative and cashier with ABC. Basically, that meant I would sell products, I would stock and face the store, which was making sure everything was organized in the store, unload trucks, and I would help customers with small tasks like batteries and windshield wipers.

Explain to my supervisor if there was extra parts that were bad, or something giving me a hard time. And since I work hard and smart, hope that he/she understands I've worked as hard as I'm capable of and ran into issues that were out of my hands.

Here are some tips for dealing with the aftermath of an accident.

☛ Do not drive your car if it is unsafe. If you can safely drive your vehicle, bring it to us as soon as possible.
☛ If you cannot operate your car, truck or SUV, call us and we can tow your vehicle.
☛ Remember that you have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company or the other drivers insurance cannot require you to go to a particular repair shop.
☛ Differences in repair estimates are common. It is your vehicle, you deserve the highest quality repairs. Read the fine print and consider carefully before you accept the lowest repair estimate.

Employee or customer was not being polite.

The application was really simple. You filled it out on the computer. It was a little awkward, though, because you walked behind the counter, so people think you’re working there, when you’re just filling out the application. But, it was really straightforward questions. The questions were really easy. Same things you would put on a resume, and the interview was really comfortable. It’s just a one-on-one interview in a backroom. Just asking basic questions – why I want the job, what do I know about cars, and my experience.

If my schedule allows it and my supervisor gives permission, I would not hesitate in saying yes.

When technicians work for a body shop, I believe we are a team. There is a lot of heavy lifting in a shop, mechanic or body work, it only takes a few moments to help your teammate (coworker) lift a bed, lift a hood, hang a door etc. The only time I have had a difficulty with a coworker is when he refused to help 3 of us put a bed back on a truck frame. And I handled that situation by very politely ignoring his rude no and snard remarks, and going to my boss, politely explaining the situation so that it was in his hands and not mine. I will always avoid a confrontation with a coworker.

When I sold GM parts, we were switching everything over from book logs and orders to online logs and orders. I had several suggestions that I felt would make the process easier or faster. I politely explained them to my boss. Rarely he would agree we could try it, when he didn't agree, I simply said ok and did what he told me to do, how he told me to do it.

☛ Share an example where you followed supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take. Did you find it helpful?
☛ What kind of experience do you have reviewing damage reports, prepared or reviewed repair cost estimates, and planned work to be performed?
☛ Walk me through how you would fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
☛ Describe methods used to remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
☛ Tell me how you would chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
☛ What procedures do you use to inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling?
☛ Tell me about a recent experience you've had working with your hands.
☛ Share an experience when you applied new technology or information in your job. How did it help your company?
☛ Share an experience in which your attention to detail and thoroughness had an impact on your last company.
☛ Tell me about the last time you monitored or reviewed information and detected a problem. How did you respond?
☛ Share an example of when you went above and beyond the "call of duty". (Look for answers that show the candidate is dependable.)
☛ What kind of experience do you have filing, grinding, sanding and smoothing filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools?
☛ Describe an experience where you had difficulty filling small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder. Did you find a solution?
☛ Provide an example of when you were persistent in the face of obstacles.
☛ How do you balance cooperation with others and independent thinking? Share an example. (Try to determine if the candidate has a cooperative attitude or is otherwise good-natured.)

I did an extensive apprenticeship before I embarked on this journey. I assisted auto body painters and technicians in performing their work and learnt all the tricks of both trades.

I think the first thing my boss noticed was that I was very energetic, and I could explain things really well. He had to stop me a couple of times because my explanations were really detailed, and he’s like, “You’re very detail-oriented. I like that.”

Yes. We provide a written guarantee of workmanship and a lifetime warranty on all auto body repairs and painting.

Painting my first doors, primer, base and clear. They looked perfect, there was perfect coverage and no runs. I work to be proud of all of my work. No matter how big or how small the job is, it all is an accomplishment to me and makes me very happy.

Because I love to see cars look brand new again and see the faces of people when they get there car back in new condition.

I was assigned to repair the body of a badly rusted VW Beetle. At first glance, I was convinced that it was a lost case. After much insistence from the customer and many days of hard labor, I managed to bring it into a near-perfect condition. This was the hardest project I have been assigned up till now!

Typical day… usually, I would open or close. If I opened, I’d wait there, I’d walk inside, I would immediately check my register, I had to make sure that everything was counted right. I would make sure that the fridge was stocked, because customers like to get things. Then, once people were in, it’s pretty slow in the morning, so it’s more people coming in to buy things, like guys that are tinkering with their cars. But the middle of the day, it’s pretty hectic, so it’s everybody is behind the counter, and I’m looking up things on the computer, then I’m running to the back to go grab them. There’s usually a lot of batteries that people want to bring in to be checked or a lot of electrical questions. Then, by the end of the day, it’s pretty calm. Usually, two or three people would come in right when we’re closing, and that’s about it. You’re just stocking the store again.

I believe that one should do what one excels at. During my apprenticeship, I concluded that repair work was more down my alley than painting auto body parts. And here I am!

My best asset is that I have the qualifications to do the job.

I will ask my supervisor or boss what is the priority jobs, and I will work as hard as I am physically capable of to finish what needs done in whatever order my supervisor says.