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When accidents happen on the roadways, collision repair technicians are called upon to repair vehicles and restore them to their original condition.
These technicians, commonly known as auto body mechanics, repair collision-damaged vehicles using automotive repair procedures, paint and parts.
If you’re thinking about becoming an automotive collision tech, it’s important to understand what it takes to succeed in the field. Here at Universal Technical Institute, we’ve found that successful technicians share similar traits that help them to do their jobs well.6
Read along as we share seven common traits shared by collision repair technicians, which can help to determine if this is the right career path for you!
Technical & Product Knowledge
Collision repair technicians have an in-depth understanding of vehicle structures and repair techniques. They are knowledgeable about the characteristics of plastics, compounds and metal used in vehicle construction, which informs their decisions when it comes to the repair techniques, materials and tools used to get the job done.
In certain cases, collision repair technicians have to rely on their industry knowledge and judgment to determine whether or not a damaged vehicle can be restored to safe condition. To make this call, they must be able to spot damage to important structural components. If the vehicle can be restored, they must outline and execute the repair.
Many collision repair technicians choose to earn I-CAR certifications, which demonstrate their technical knowledge and ability. With I-CAR training, technicians can improve their accuracy, touch times and cycle times—giving them a competitive advantage when going into the workforce.
Creative Vision
Collision repair techs are often known for their creative eye and the ability to make what might be old and broken as good as new. When working on vehicles, they can often picture what the end product will look like.
UTI collision repair instructor Frank Cutajar always has a vision for how cars will look when he’s done working on them. When he’s not busy teaching and mentoring his students, he works on his ’63 Coupe de Ville—a car he bought for $5,500.
To repair this vehicle, he stripped it down to metal and did all of the bodywork. He plans to paint it, too. His vision for the car is for it to have a true classic look but with a modern twist. Having a creative vision is a sign of a true collision repair technician.
Precision
Any successful automotive collision tech will tell you that it’s all in the details. Auto body repairs are very complex and intricate, which requires good hand-eye coordination and an eye for precision. If one part is even slightly misaligned, the entire repair can get thrown off.
Collision repair techs approach their work meticulously and are very perceptive when it comes to examining vehicles for damage. They understand the important role they play in getting their customers back on the road safely and are committed to excellence in everything they do.
Problem-Solving
One of the most important skills of collision repair technicians is the ability to solve problems. Each repair that comes their way is unique and doesn’t necessarily come with its own manual. For this reason, technicians often need to improvise the best possible solution on a regular basis using their knowledge, training and expertise.
Collision repair technicians see problems as opportunities. They enjoy the challenge that comes with the repairs they take on, as it introduces variety into their day-to-day routine. No two days are the same on this job!
Work Ethic
Collision repair is hard work. This career isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding for those who have a passion for cars and hands-on work. The most successful technicians are always on time, focused, efficient and professional, which helps them to make a great impression on customers and their employers.
Having a good work ethic speaks volumes in this industry and can lead to exciting opportunities for advancement. For example, many collision repair technicians advance to roles such as production manager, in which they oversee the process to ensure technicians are performing safe and efficient repairs.
Customer Service Skills
In addition to their mechanical work, collision repair technicians communicate directly with customers. This responsibility requires strong interpersonal skills since techs must discuss repairs and explain why certain types of work must be completed.
Usually, customers who have recently been in accidents experience stress. During this time, technicians must handle the repair in a calm and friendly way, providing as much information as possible so their customers feel confident and are well-informed throughout the process. A sign of a great collision repair technician is the ability to earn their customers’ trust.
Additionally, technicians who have great customer service skills are often able to advance in the field and take on roles with higher responsibilities, whether it’s in estimating or body shop management.
Passion
Last but certainly not least, successful collision repair technicians are passionate and take pride in their work. Many collision repair technicians have had an interest in cars from a young age and turned this passion into a full-time auto body repair tech career. Their dedication to working on cars and helping others is what drives their auto body repair tech career forward and motivates them to work hard and go above and beyond for their customers.
Train To Become a Collision Repair Technician
Think you have what it takes to become a collision repair technician? Universal Technical Institute has the training you need to get there.1 To learn more, visit our Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program page and request more information today.