Preparing for an interview at Formlabs? As a leading 3D printing company, Formlabs is looking for creative, passionate, and innovative people to join their team. This article provides insider tips and sample responses to 15 of the most common interview questions asked at Formlabs, to help you ace your upcoming interview.
1. Why do you want to work at Formlabs?
This is a very common opening interview question where the recruiter wants to gauge your level of interest and passion for Formlabs, Be ready to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company and the role,
In your response, share why you are excited about their mission of bringing powerful, accessible 3D printing to professionals and businesses. Highlight aspects of their innovative technology, collaborative culture, commitment to education, and opportunities for growth that appeal to you. Back up your answer with specific details on why you feel Formlabs is the right company for you.
Sample Response: I am very interested in working at Formlabs because of your focus on making industrial 3D printing accessible and easy-to-use for professionals through advanced technology and great design. Your innovations like Low Force Stereolithography are really impressive. Formlabs seems like a dynamic place to work, with an emphasis on open collaboration between teams. Your commitment to educating customers is also commendable. I feel my background in design and passion for emerging technologies make Formlabs the ideal place for me to grow my career in 3D printing and help advance your mission.
2. Why are you interested in this role?
With this question, the interviewer wants to determine if you are truly excited about the specific role versus generically wanting to work at Formlabs. Be ready to explain why the role strongly appeals to you.
Discuss how your skills and interests align perfectly with the position. For example, if it is a design role, highlight your product design skills and passion for innovating. Use specific examples from the job description to showcase why you are a great fit and how the role aligns with your career goals.
Sample Response: As a mechanical engineer, I am very interested in the product design engineer role. I love the focus on designing and improving printer components and technologies. My past experience optimizing manufacturing processes through CAD software and prototyping aligns very well with this role’s responsibilities. I’m also excited by the emphasis on collaborating cross-functionally and testing innovations – two things I have a passion for and excel at. This position is the natural next step for my engineering career as I’m looking to grow into a specialist role leveraging my design strengths to create industry-leading 3D printing technologies. It’s an ideal fit with my background and career goals.
3. What excites you most about 3D printing?
Since 3D printing is core to their business, the interviewer wants to assess your genuine interest and knowledge of the technology. Your response should demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of key 3D printing applications in product design and manufacturing. Share specific ideas on how you think 3D printing can transform industries or people’s lives for the better.
Sample Response: What excites me most about 3D printing is its potential to give people the power to turn their ideas into physical objects seamlessly. Technologies like SLS and SLA are revolutionizing processes like rapid prototyping and low-volume production with greater speed, efficiency and customizability compared to traditional manufacturing methods. I’m most excited by 3D printing applications in medical devices – creating customized prosthetics, implants and models for presurgical planning. The ability to improve lives through personalized medical solutions is incredible. As 3D printing becomes more accessible and affordable over time, I believe it will unlock creativity and innovation across many industries and communities. The possibilities are endless, which is really exciting to me.
4. How do you stay up-to-date on 3D printing technology trends?
Since the 3D printing industry is continuously evolving with new technologies and techniques, the interviewer wants to ensure you have the passion and drive to keep your skills current. Share examples of how you actively learn – reading industry blogs, attending trade shows, taking online courses, or experimenting with new 3D printing processes. Demonstrate your commitment to continuously expanding your knowledge in the space.
Sample Response: Staying current on advances and new applications of 3D printing is very important to me. I make it a habit to read industry publications like 3D Printing Industry every day to learn the latest technology trends. I also attend local 3D printing meetups and workshops whenever my schedule allows. Experimenting with new materials and printer settings allows me to gain hands-on experience with emerging techniques. I’m considering earning some 3D printing certifications this year to formalize my knowledge. Learning directly from those working on cutting-edge research and innovations gets me most excited. I’m committed to always expanding my 3D printing knowledge through these activities in order to apply the latest developments in my work.
5. How would you handle a customer with an urgent printing request?
Providing exceptional customer support is crucial at Formlabs, so expect scenarios like this. The interviewer wants to understand your customer service skills and ability to solve problems. In your response, explain how you would prioritize urgent requests and explain any delays while setting proper expectations. Outline your approach to find the quickest solution that keeps the customer satisfied.
Sample Response: When managing urgent customer requests, my priority is always open and transparent communication. I would explain the time needed to fulfill their request based on current print queues and volume. If their project would be delayed, I’d set clear expectations on turnaround times and offer suggestions to meet their deadline, like expedited shipping. My troubleshooting approach would be exploring alternative printer settings or profiles that could shorten print time without compromising quality to address their urgency. I would keep the customer updated throughout the process while working to meet their needs. This collaborative, solution-focused approach aims to satisfy customers, especially for rush requests.
6. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you handle it?
The interviewer wants to assess your conflict management skills and professionalism. Avoid venting or blaming. Instead, focus your response on how you worked to resolve the disagreement in a constructive manner and reached an amicable solution. Demonstrate empathy, teamwork, communication skills, and the maturity to peacefully resolve conflicts.
Sample Response: While collaborating on a design project with a coworker, we had differing opinions on the optimal functionality for a new product feature. Initially, we both became defensive about our views. Recognizing this, I decided to shift our discussion to focus on the problem, not our egos. We identified pros and cons of each approach and searched for a solution addressing both our concerns. Ultimately, we compromised on a hybrid design merging aspects of both our concepts. I appreciated my teammate’s perspective, which helped me improve the final design. It was a good reminder that even disagreements can spark creativity when handled openly and respectfully. Through positive discussion, we reached the best solution for our team and the product.
7. Describe a time when you had to manage multiple priorities with a tight deadline. How did you approach this?
Working at a fast-paced company like Formlabs often involves juggling competing priorities under tight timeframes. This question gauges your time management, organization, and focus when faced with such high-pressure situations.
Share your logical process for prioritizing tasks when resources and time are limited. Give specific examples demonstrating your ability to deliver quality work efficiently even when demands are high. Emphasize skills like staying focused, managing distractions, collaborating with colleagues, and seeking help when needed.
Sample Response: In my last role, I was tasked with conducting user testing and surveys for 3 product features, all due within a 3-week timeframe. To manage this effectively, I first prioritized based on urgency and internal stakeholder needs. I then created a detailed project plan identifying dependencies and deadlines for each testing phase. I maintained focus by blocking time daily to make progress on key tasks without distraction. When I was unsure on prioritizing certain tests, I consulted my manager. While demanding, I felt energized, not stressed. Through strong planning, focus and getting support when needed, I delivered all testing and surveys on time and to our team’s high standards, despite the tight deadline.
8. How would you educate a customer who is new to 3D printing?
Educating customers is a big part of working at Formlabs. For this question, you’ll want to demonstrate both your deep knowledge of 3D printing processes and the ability to convey complex information clearly to a non-technical audience. Share examples of how you would explain essential concepts or guide the person through how to get started and succeed with 3D printing.
**Sample Response: As 3D printing is highly technical, it’s crucial that explanations are simple, transparent, and tailored to each learner’s level. For entirely new users, I would start by clearly explaining core 3D printing processes like fused deposition modeling and stereolithography using everyday analogies they understand. I would showcase finished printed objects and connect processes to the properties of those parts. For hands-on learners, I would conduct an introductory walkthrough of printer operation and software using sample files. My goal is to break down complex concepts into digestible pieces so new users feel empowered, not intimidated. I’ve found this patient, personalized approach succeeds in getting novices comfortable with leveraging 3D printing for their needs.
