If you feel the time has come to start applying for collision repair technician jobs, there are a few things to have prepared and ready before beginning the process.

Collision repair technicians, also known as auto body technicians, have the job of repairing and restoring vehicles involved in accidents. They help keep cars running on the roads, and employers are seeking qualified individuals to fill these roles in shops and dealerships across the country.

Given the demand, one thing that’s extremely important to have available and streamlined when applying for jobs is your resume. This allows a potential employer to see a summary of your qualifications and education so they can determine if you’re a good fit for the position.

And once you secure an interview, it helps to prepare ahead of time. There are several interview tips and tricks that can help you build your confidence before sitting down to talk with a potential employer.

Keep reading to learn how to construct a professional resume, and to learn how you can set yourself up for success during the interview process.

Putting Together a Collision Repair Technician Resume

The first thing a potential employer sees before they meet you is your resume, which is why it’s so important to put it together in a way that makes a good first impression and gets them interested.

Your resume can be revised and changed at any time, and it should be kept up to date whenever you gain experience or achievements. It should also be changed to showcase relevant skills and experience depending on the specific job you’re applying for.

Keeping an auto body resume streamlined, concise and featuring the most relevant content could help improve the chances of you standing out in a group of applicants. The job market can be competitive, but steps you take can help you in the process.

What to Include in Your Resume

No two resumes are exactly alike — yours can change depending on what job you’re applying for, as well as the skills and experience you have. However, there are some standard elements that all auto body technician resumes should feature.

Summary or Objective

An objective or summary should be present at the top of your resume. Which one you choose should depend on your previous experience:

A resume summary should be used if you have previous collision repair experience. The summary helps outline your past roles and skills to show why you would be a good choice for the role.

An example of a summary might say something like, “Professional collision repair technician with 3+ years of experience specializing in nonstructural repairs and restoration. Seeking to use experience to effectively manage and lead team in repair shop.”

If you have little to no experience in the workforce, a resume objective should be your choice. This can help you express what your future career goals are.

For example, an objective might say something like, “UTI graduate seeking full-time employment at XYZ Collision Center. Seeking an entry-level position as a collision repair technician that will allow me to gain more experience and build a career in the industry.”

Remember to keep your summary or objective short and to the point. Include information to interest the employer without going overboard!

Work Experience

This is the section where you outline any relevant positions you’ve had. These can help show how you’d fit into the role at a company. Be sure to include the following for each position:

• Company name
• Title
• Dates worked (example: May 2015 to June 2017)
• Brief description of job duties

Start with your most recent position at the top of your resume and work your way down. Include relevant information and keep it short.

If you don’t have much (or any!) previous work experience, don’t worry about it. You can still list information in this section!

It’s recommended that you list academic projects you’ve worked on. You can also include personal projects, volunteer work and internships. List brief details about these projects and how they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Education

Another important section employers look at is education. Here you’ll list the school (or schools) you’ve attended, your graduation date, and the program or programs you’ve completed.

You can also add certifications you might have earned to this section. The Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program offered at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) was developed in relationship with I-CAR, the provider of collision repair training standards defined by the industry. Graduates of the program can earn several I-CAR certifications, which you can include on your resume to help set you apart from other candidates.

The education section is also a great way to expand your resume if you don’t have as much job experience or if you’re a recent graduate. As a CRRT graduate, you might list individual courses from the program that are relevant to the position as well. This might look like:

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Long Beach, CA

Collision Repair & Refinish Technology | 2020-2021

• Exterior Panel Alignment
• Exterior Panel Repair I
• Exterior Panel Replacement
• Welding and Cutting
• Structural Damage Analysis
• Structural Alignment & Replacement

Relevant Skills

Another section to include on your collision repair technician resume is a section outlining relevant skills. This should be tailored to fit the job you’re applying for, so be sure and read the job description thoroughly for guidance.

Skills can include your abilities to do something from experience and training. Auto body skills for a resume might include things like problem solving, attention to detail and quality control. Leadership skills or management skills are great to include if you have previous work experience.

Awards and Accomplishments

Awards and accomplishments can be put into a separate section on your resume. These can include having a high GPA, an outstanding attendance record or receiving an “employee of the month” award. You also could use a section like this to call attention to certifications that you might have received.

Contact Information

Don’t forget to include contact information somewhere on your resume! Employers need this information if they’re interested in reaching out for an interview. Be sure to include:

• First and last name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• LinkedIn profile (if desired)

Designing Your Resume

The design of your resume is another important factor to consider. You’ll want to present the information in a way that is streamlined and easy to read. There are various free templates available online that allow you to simply input your information.

You can find these on Microsoft Word or on other websites like:

• My Perfect Resume
• Indeed
• ResumeGenius

Stick with simple colors, a simple design and a legible font when choosing a resume template. If possible, try to keep your resume to one page, as employers are often sifting through a large number of them when deciding whom to interview. You’ll want to catch their attention from the start!

Example resumes are always great to look at when composing your own. You can find a number of collision repair technician resume examples online with a quick search. We have one here to get you started.

Writing a Cover Letter

When applying for a position, including a cover letter with your resume will help tell your story and provide the potential employer with more information about you. These are one-page messages that convey why you’re applying to the position, your interest in the company, etc.

Cover letters are a great way to show a bit more of your personality and explain why you believe you’re qualified for the role in way that’s less formal than a resume.

You can work from a template when writing a cover letter, but it’s important to make sure you’re tailoring what you write to the specific job you’re applying for.

A cover letter for an auto body technician might look something like this example.

Your resume and cover letter are tools that can help you make a good first impression with an employer and catch their interest for an interview. Keep reading for tips on the interview process.

Collision Repair Technician Interview Tips

As graduation approaches, you’ll likely be taking steps to find and apply for different jobs in the collision repair industry. Once you have your resume and cover letters in order, you can focus on the interview process so you can feel prepared when talking with potential employers.

Keep reading to get some valuable insight into different parts of the interview process and tips you can apply to your journey into the job market.

Before the Interview

Taking the time to prepare yourself before an interview can help alleviate stress and help provide confidence. Some steps you can take include:

• Practicing answers: Rehearsing answers to potential interview questions can help you feel prepared. You won’t know exactly what the interviewer will ask, but it can be helpful to know how you’ll respond to generic questions like, “What relevant skills and training do you have?” and, “What are your career goals?”
• Research: Knowing background information about the company you’re applying to is very important, so don’t go into the interview without doing some research. Employers appreciate those who take the time to get to know the history and goals of their company.
• Read over the job description: Be sure you understand the details of the role. Study and read the job posting thoroughly so you’re familiar with what’s being asked of you.
• Dress appropriately: Be mindful of where you’re interviewing. Presenting yourself as professional is important, but being prepared with clothes you can work in is also important in case you’re tested on any of your skills during the process.

Taking these steps before you get to the interview can help you feel prepared and relaxed.

During the Interview

You’ve taken steps to prepare — now it’s time for the actual interview to take place! When you get to the interview, you can make a good first impression by following these steps:

• Be prompt: Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your interview starts can show your commitment and interest in the role. It also can help reduce your stress about getting there on time!
• Be aware of your body language: How you present yourself is important in more ways than one. Pay attention to your body language, being sure to sit up straight with your shoulders back, and make an effort to make eye contact with the interviewer.
• Bring your resume: Bringing several paper copies of your resume will show you are prepared and professional. Many interviewers like referencing resumes during the interview process.
• Stay focused: Address an employer’s questions fully, but also be mindful of the amount of time you spend answering them. Answers should be as concise as possible while addressing the main points posed during the question.
• Smile: Making a good impression is important with your interviewer, but also to anyone else you encounter during the interview process. Be friendly and kind to other staff members and fellow interviewees.

Remember to show your passion and own your skills and abilities to put your best foot forward. Be sure you effectively communicate what you’ve learned at UTI as well as any other experiences that can stand out to an interviewer.

After the Interview

Now that the interview process is over, you’re probably feeling a lot more relaxed! While a lot of the weight is off your shoulders, there are still some things you can do to further your connection with the potential employer.

Before leaving the interview, be sure you ask the interviewer what the next steps are. This will allow you to know an estimated time frame for when a decision will be made. It will also allow you to send a follow-up message if the deadline passes.

Sending a thank-you message or email within 24 hours of the interview is a good idea. Thanking the person who interviewed you with a letter to reiterate your appreciation for their time can help put you at the front of their minds when making a decision.

Make sure you keep this letter to the point so it doesn’t take too long for the interviewer to read. Here are a few thank-you letter examples.

Patience is key while a hiring decision is being made. Writing down key points can be helpful for other interviews down the road. Remember that every interview gives you the opportunity to learn something!

Example Interview Questions and Answers

Knowing how to handle the stages of an interview is one thing, but it can also be helpful to review some common interview questions that might be asked during the process.

What training or certifications do you have as a collision repair technician?

Employers are looking to hire those with hands-on experience and training that they can rely on. The answer might vary if you’re still taking courses at UTI. If you haven’t graduated yet, you can talk about the details of the CRRT program and what you’ve learned in the courses so far.

Don’t forget to mention UTI’s relationship with I-CAR and that graduates can earn several levels of I-CAR training certifications. These help add value to you as a potential hire.

Which of your repair jobs are you proudest of?

This is your time to brag — humbly, of course! Be confident in what you’ve worked on and be ready to explain the process you took to achieve the results. Even if you don’t have any on-the-job experience, you can talk about a project or a repair you completed in class.

Do you have experience reviewing damage reports or performing repair estimates?

While some auto body shops have estimators who analyze the cost of a repair job, some employers might want their collision repair technicians to have the knowledge and ability to do so themselves.

If you get collision repair training at UTI, courses cover how to perform damage analysis, inspections and estimating, so you can speak to this experience!

How do you manage time, and what would you do if a client suggested too short of a turnaround time for a project?

One of the key aspects in a collision repair position is time management, so don’t be surprised if one of the questions in the interview touches on this point.

Being able to explain how you manage a project from start to finish is important. Taking it a step further, employers might question your ability to problem-solve and communicate with potential clients if a timeframe is not feasible.

Do you have any specific career goals?

What are you striving for when it comes to your career in the collision repair industry? There many different paths you can take, and you can choose to specialize in specific types of repairs. Letting the interviewer know your goals can help them see your passion for the craft!

Get Collision Repair Training at UTI

When you’ve decided to pursue a role as a collision repair technician, having the right education and hands-on experience is important. The Collision Repair & Refinish Technology program at UTI can teach you the skills you need to be able to restore a variety of vehicles.1

You can graduate in just 51 to 54 weeks from a program developed in conjunction with I-CAR, the provider of collision repair training standards as defined by the industry. Find out how you can get started by requesting more information today!

UTI Campuses That Offer Collision Repair Training

• Houston, Texas
• Long Beach, California