The document outlines the top five fatal interview mistakes in the additive manufacturing industry, emphasizing the importance of not badmouthing former employers, preparing an elevator pitch, following up after interviews, researching the interviewer, and asking relevant questions. It provides tips for addressing these common pitfalls to improve candidates' chances of making a positive impression. Ultimately, the emphasis is on effective communication, preparation, and understanding the interview process as a two-way evaluation.

1. TOP 5 FATAL
INTERVIEW
MISTAKES IN THE
AM INDUSTRY
CareerHack #3
Alexander Daniels Global

2. The big no-no's
Our recruiters share with you their experience and
stories of the worst interview no-no's that they've
come across in the AM / 3D printing industry
The outrageous ones, like taking a call during the
interview or emptying the office candy bowl, are rare,
but there are some common ones that keep appearing

3. #1
Did you leave your last job on bad terms
with your boss or colleagues?
BADMOUTHING
FORMER
EMPLOYERS

4. #1
Did you leave your last job on bad terms
with your boss or colleagues?
While that's fair - because let's face it,
these things happen - potential new
employers do not like your sour grapes.
Especially in the AM industry where
competitors are also future or former
collaborators, and everyone knows
everyone, it is important not to burn your
bridges
BADMOUTHING
FORMER
EMPLOYERS

5. #1 TIP
Try to spin the negative to something
positive.
If you are worried about answering the
question "Why did you leave your last job?",
then prepare an answer to this question
before arriving at the interview.

6. #2NOT HAVING
AN ELEVATOR
PITCH
It's classic. It's inevitable.
At some point in any interview you will encounter some variation of the question "So
tell me about yourself?"

7. #2 NOT HAVING
AN ELEVATOR
PITCH
It's classic. It's inevitable.
At some point in any interview you will encounter some variation of the question "So
tell me about yourself?"
This is your chance to outshine your resume and is a direct invitation to tell the
interviewer what you can bring to the table, besides your hard skills.
In the AM industry, it's important to show employers that you are also capable of
clear communication and transmitting knowledge in an understandable way
Since the average human attention span is 5 seconds - this pitch has to be loaded
and ready to be fired if you really want to leave a strong impression

8. #2 TIP
Prepare the pitch from home. And practice, practice, practice.
TIPS
It should be approximately 60 sec. long and be able to express your value proposition
as an employee.
The pitch should answer these questions:
Who am I?
What do I do?
How do I do it? (soft skills)
What do I do it for? (show genuine interest in industry)
How am I different?

9. NOT
FOLLOWING
UP#3
Following up on an interview not only signals that you are
engaged with the process and that you are interested in the job
- it also demonstrates the quality of your work as an employee
and it proves your ability to stand out in the crowd of job
candidates.

10. #3 TIP
Immediately send a thank you e-mail to the person who
interviewed you.
Use the thank you note to demonstrate what a great employee
you would be – confirm your commitment to following through a
task to the end, exhibit your writing and communication skills.

11. #4NOT
RESEARCHING
THE INTERVIEWER
It happens more often than you would think; that
people show up to an interview not knowing if who
they are about to talk to is the Senior Vice President of
R&D or an HR employee
This can be fatal.

12. #4
NOT
RESEARCHING
THE INTERVIEWER
Let's paint a picture: imagine you assume that your
interviewer is HR personnel, so you, as the considerate
person you are, put effort into explaining her what
technologies you have worked with and what those
technologies are - just to let her know the basics so she can
translate to the hiring manager later.
Instead, your interviewer is the Head of R&D and knows
EVERYTHING about those technologies and is more
interested in hearing what you can do with them as opposed
to what they are.
Now you've just spend your precious interview time trying
to explain to a bird how to fly

13. #4 TIP
+ = your BFF's
Use them to research your interviewer
You'll be able to target your sales pitch
better - and you will feel much better
knowing who you’re about to meet

14. Remember: it's not only you that need
to sell yourself - the company needs to
as well.
In this industry, there are many small
companies and start-ups and those
sort of environments also require a
certain flexibility
You need to use the interview to figure
out, if you fit into the company and if
their environment matches your needs
#5
THE INTERVIEW IS
A TWO WAY
STREET

15. A way of showing interest while also figuring out if you fit in with the
company, is by making sure to have questions for the hiring manager
at the end of an interview.
Having relevant questions also require you to know the company and
the position well - so make sure you do your research
#5 TIP