20 Formlabs Interview Questions and Answers

Formlabs is a cutting-edge 3D printing company that is always looking for talented engineers to join their team. If you’re lucky enough to snag an interview with Formlabs, you can expect to be asked some tough questions about your engineering knowledge and experience.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Formlabs interview questions, along with sample answers to help you stand out from the competition.

Formlabs Interview Process

The interview process at Formlabs is lengthy, with five stages including a take-home exam and an on-site visit. Some reviewers found the technical questions challenging, while others felt that the CEO was arrogant and disrespectful. Overall, reviewers had mixed experiences with the interview process, finding it both difficult and toxic.

1. What is your experience with 3D printing?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with 3D printing and how it relates to Formlabs’ products. Use this opportunity to explain what you’ve learned about 3D printing in your previous roles, including any specific skills or knowledge that helped you succeed.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with 3D printers, both as a consumer and an employee. In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s fleet of 3D printers, which included several Formlabs models. This experience has given me valuable insight into the best ways to use these systems to print high-quality objects.”

2. Describe a situation where you had to work on an unfamiliar project or technology, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to new situations and challenges. Use examples from your experience that highlight your ability to learn quickly, collaborate with others and complete projects on time.

Example: “In my last role as a 3D printing specialist, I was tasked with creating an online training course for our customers. This was my first time developing a training program, so I started by researching other companies who had already developed similar courses. I then created a list of topics I thought would be most helpful for our customers and began writing the content. After completing the initial outline, I worked with a team of writers to develop the rest of the course.”

3. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and what you learned from that situation.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you’ve grown from past experiences. When answering, try to think of a time when you made a mistake but learned something valuable as a result.

Example: “When I first started working in the 3D printing industry, I was eager to impress my manager and coworkers. One day, I wanted to show off my knowledge by explaining how one of our printers worked. However, I ended up confusing everyone with my explanation. After that experience, I realized it’s better to let others know if I don’t understand something rather than pretend like I do.”

4. Formlabs has a very collaborative environment, can you give us an example of when you have worked in a team setting before?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are comfortable working in a team environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped the team achieve its goals and what skills you used to help the team succeed.

Example: “In my previous role as an engineer, I worked on a team of five engineers who were tasked with creating a new 3D printer for our company. We all had different skill sets, but we each contributed to the project by using our unique abilities to solve problems and create innovative solutions.”

5. Would you be comfortable working at a fast-paced company?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re a good fit for Formlabs. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how your skills and experience make you a great candidate for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked at several fast-paced companies in the past, so I’m used to working under pressure. In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once while meeting deadlines. This helped me develop excellent time management skills that I would bring with me to Formlabs.”

6. How do you think you would deal with stress in the workplace?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to handle stress and remain calm in a fast-paced environment. To answer, think about how you’ve handled stressful situations in the past and describe what helped you overcome them.

Example: “I have worked in a high-pressure environment before, so I know that it’s important to stay calm and focused when things get hectic. When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, we had a rush of customers come in right before closing time. We were short on cashiers, but I knew that if we didn’t take care of all our customers, we would lose their business. So, I took charge and made sure everyone got checked out quickly.”

7. If we were going to use one word to describe you, what would that word be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches their company culture and values. When answering this question, try to be as genuine as possible.

Example: “I would say that I am dedicated. I have always been passionate about my work, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I meet all of my deadlines. I also take pride in my ability to multitask. I can handle many projects at once without sacrificing quality or efficiency.”

8. How many printers are sold annually?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show that you have researched Formlabs and are familiar with their industry.

Example: “In 2017, Formlabs sold over 100,000 printers worldwide. This number has increased every year since the company’s inception in 2012. The 3D printing market as a whole is growing at an exponential rate, so it’s important for companies like Formlabs to continue innovating new technology.”

9. Do you know anyone who uses 3D printers?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to Formlabs. If you know someone who uses 3D printers, ask them about their experience with the technology and what they like or dislike about it. You can also use this opportunity to tell the interviewer about your own personal experiences using 3D printers.

Example: “I have a friend who owns a small business that makes custom jewelry. She told me she loves her Form 1 printer because it’s so easy to use and produces high-quality prints. I’ve used her printer before and was impressed by its capabilities.”

10. Why should we hire you over someone else with similar qualifications?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. It also allows you to highlight some of your unique skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate. When preparing for this question, think about what makes you stand out from other applicants. Consider including any specific skills, experience or education that directly relates to the job description.

Example: “I am confident I should be hired over others with similar qualifications because of my proven ability to work well in a team environment. In my previous role as a 3D printing specialist, I worked closely with several different departments to ensure our clients received the best service possible. This led to increased sales and positive client reviews.”

11. Can you tell us about some of your hobbies outside of work/school?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to know if you will fit in with their company culture, so they might ask questions like these to see what kind of hobbies you have or how you spend your free time.

Example: “I love to cook, so I often try new recipes at home. My favorite hobby is learning about different cuisines from around the world. I also enjoy reading, especially nonfiction books that teach me something new. I recently read a book on the history of food, which inspired me to start cooking more meals at home.”

12. What was the last printer you used?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience with 3D printers. If you have used Formlabs products in the past, you can describe what they are and how they compare to other printers you’ve used.

Example: “The last printer I used was an XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 Pro that I had for my senior project. It’s a great starter printer because it has a lot of features but is still affordable. The Formlabs system seems like it would be more advanced than this one, though, so I’m excited to learn more about it.”

13. How would you go about improving our website if hired?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your ability to use digital tools and software. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use a variety of web-based applications and describe how you would apply them to improve the company’s website.

Example: “I would first conduct research on what aspects of the website are most popular with customers and search engines. Then I would create new content for the homepage based on these findings. I would also update the blog section of the website by creating new posts and adding more images and videos to increase engagement. Finally, I would optimize the site for mobile devices so users could access it from their phones.”

14. What does open source mean to you?

Open source is a software development model that allows users to access the code of a program and modify it as they see fit. Open source has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many companies have adopted open source models for their products. Your answer should show that you understand what open source means and how it can benefit your future employer.

Example: “Open source is an important concept because it gives people more control over the technology they use. I believe that everyone should be able to learn about and modify the programs they use every day. This freedom makes us better at problem-solving and innovation. In my last role, I worked with several open source projects. I was responsible for maintaining the company’s GitHub account and making sure all employees were using open source tools.”

15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals. They want to know if you plan on staying with the company for a long time or if you’re looking for something temporary. When answering, be honest and explain what steps you’ve taken to get where you are in five years.

Example: “I see myself working at Formlabs in five years. I’m committed to my education and have been taking classes that will help me advance in my career. I also hope to continue growing as an employee by learning new skills and developing my current ones.”

16. How committed are you to serving customers?

Formlabs is a customer-focused company, and the interviewer may want to know how you will contribute to this culture. Use examples from your past experience of working with customers to show that you are empathetic and willing to help them solve problems.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people learn new skills and use technology to create things they enjoy. I have worked in retail for five years, and my favorite part of the job was when customers would come back to tell me how much they enjoyed using their product. It’s rewarding to see someone who was once intimidated by technology leave the store excited to start a project.”

17. Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped someone who was not an immediate family member or friend.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who needed some technical assistance with their 3D printer. They were having trouble printing a specific model and asked for our help. I spent over two hours on the phone with them troubleshooting the issue until we figured out that they needed to update their software. After updating the software, the customer thanked me profusely for all of my help.”

18. What kind of questions do you have for us?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the position and company. It also allows you to ask any questions you may have about Formlabs, its products or the job itself. Before your interview, make sure to write down any questions you might have so that you can refer to them during the conversation.

Example: “I’m very interested in this role because of my background in 3D modeling. I was wondering if there are opportunities for professional development within the company. For example, do you offer training programs or certifications?”

19. What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re on the job, but they also want to know about any weaknesses that you might be able to improve upon.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough with my work and always make sure everything is done correctly. My weakness is that sometimes I get too focused on the details of a project and lose sight of the bigger picture. I’m working on improving this by taking more breaks during projects.”

20. We emphasize transparency here, why do you think this is important?

Transparency is a key value of Formlabs, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you share their values. In your answer, explain why transparency is important in an organization and how it can benefit employees.

Example: “I think transparency is extremely important because it allows everyone to feel like they’re part of the same team. When people know what’s going on, they feel more invested in the company and its success. I’ve worked at companies where there was a lot of secrecy, and it made me feel like my opinion didn’t matter or that I wasn’t trusted. Transparency makes me feel valued as an employee.”