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Auto Body Prepper

Carvana · University Park, IL · $18.00–$20.00 an hour · Reconditioning

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

You need at least six months of professional prepping experience. Tell me what a typical day of prep work looked like for you.

What they are checking: Whether their experience matches the sanding, masking and bagging work this role does all shift.

Tell me about a time you had to work fast without letting quality slip.

What they are checking: Whether they can keep pace in a production shop and still do prep that the painter can trust.

Carvana offers training to grow your skills. Where would you like to be in two years?

What they are checking: Whether they see prep as a step toward painter or body tech, which fits the training path the posting describes.

What would you do

You are prepping a car and find a dent the body tech missed. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they send it back instead of prepping over it, since the paint will only make the dent easier to see.

Mandatory overtime is part of this job when the business needs it. How would that fit with your life right now?

What they are checking: Whether they have honestly thought about the schedule demands the posting says are part of the role.

About the work

Walk me through how you sand a panel before primer and then before paint. Which grits do you use?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the sanding sequence, since skipped grits leave scratches that show through the paint.

How do you mask and bag a car so there is no overspray on glass, trim or wheels?

What they are checking: Whether they mask cleanly and completely, because overspray creates extra work and visible defects.

What is the right way to tear down and unbag a car after paint without damaging the fresh finish?

What they are checking: Whether they handle new paint carefully, since a careless tear-down can ruin a finished job.

How do you buff out a run or dust nib without burning through the clear coat?

What they are checking: Whether they know buffing pressure, pads and compounds well enough to fix flaws without making them worse.

What protective gear do you wear when sanding and working near the paint booth?

What they are checking: Whether they protect their lungs, eyes and skin, since prep work means dust and chemicals every day.

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The full job description

As published by Carvana.

We’re looking for Auto Body Preppers with a minimum of 6 months of professional automotive prepping experience to join us at Carvana - the fastest-growing used automotive retailer in U.S. history and one of the four fastest companies to make the Fortune 500. As an <span data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":14915,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":16777215},"9":0,"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":1907741},"15":"Arial","16":11}">Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician , you’ll be expected to&nbsp; prep vehicles for paint , including sanding, masking, taping, bagging, unbagging/tear down, and buffing. At Carvana, you’ll receive a competitive wage and amazing perks – including a 401(k) with Carvana match and even a vehicle purchase discount – all while using state of the art tools in one of our high-tech Inspection Centers ( click here to learn more). If you’re joining us in an entry-level position, we offer training programs to make sure your skills and pay progress along with the company. Pay Range: $18 - $20 Hourly Other perks of the Job • 100% company-paid healthcare premiums • Generous paid-time off and your birthday is a holiday! • ASE and tool reimbursement programs • Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment &nbsp; Schedule:&nbsp; We do everything we can to deliver an exceptional customer experience, and that includes delivering great vehicles when expected. If we're in a pinch, mandatory overtime is one way in which we can follow-through on this commitment to our customers.&nbsp;We're looking for team players who are all in on our mission and are able to work mandatory overtime based on our business needs.&nbsp; How To Get Started Join the Carvana team by applying on this page , or call one of our recruiters by phone at (888) 690-7853 , Monday through Friday, between 6 AM and 4 PM PT (9AM to 7PM ET). Not a match for this role? We have a variety of paint roles available, depending on your experience - look below to see other roles available to help us get our low-mileage, late-model cars ready for our customers: • Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork, including sanding, masking, taping, bagging, unbagging/tear down, and buffing • Entry-Level Painter (min 1 year professional experience): prime vehicles and perform final sanding before the vehicle is painted, along with buffing, touch-up, paint mixing, and airbrush. • Mid-Level Painter (min 3 years professional experience): &nbsp;match/mix paint color and use water-based paint to paint the vehicle inside our paint booths • Experienced Painter (min 5 years professional experience): painting (base coats, tri-coats, solid, metallic, and clear coats), blending adjacent panels, and paint correcting vehicles. We also have a variety of other automotive roles available in one of our 18 locations across the country – take a look at our&nbsp; Careers site to apply for one of the following roles: • Auto Body roles: Paint, Prep/Body work, Wheel Repair, Airbrush, Interior Repair, Glass Repair, and PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) roles • Auto Technician/Mechanic roles:&nbsp; Lube and Oil, Inspection, Brake and Tire, Mechanical Repair / Build, and Master Technician roles • Entry-Level roles: Detailing, Inventory Associate (Car Porters), Photo, Parts Associate, Inspection, and Coordinator/Administrator roles General qualifications and requirements • Ability to physically operate vehicle equipment and tools - must be able to lift up to 60 pounds independently • Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Some positions may be subject to an Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check • An ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing production environment while sometimes being exposed to excessive weather conditions (heat/cold) • Use of safety equipment that may include but not limited to face shield or goggles, non-slip shoes, gloves, mask, and other protective garments and equipment About Carvana At Carvana, we sell cars but we aren’t car salesmen. Our promise is simple: we won’t sell a car to a customer that we wouldn’t sell to our own Mom. Period. To make sure our cars are in first-rate condition, we’ve built multiple vehicle Reconditioning Centers around the country, where our cars are inspected, perfected, and photographed before reaching the Carvana website. Think you’ve got what it takes to join our team? Apply today! Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.

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