Tesla CEO’s revealing interview technique unveiled

Renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk, Tesla’s visionary CEO and the world’s richest man, has shared the secret to unearthing trustworthiness in job interviews, exposing a question that penetrates the façade of applicants.

In a 2017 interview with Auto Bild, Musk disclosed that, instead of delving into academic credentials, he zeroes in on a specific inquiry to assess a candidate’s integrity. When delving into the ‘story of their career,’ Musk directly asks, “What are some of the tougher problems [you’ve] dealt with and how [did you] deal with those?” He keenly explores how candidates navigate challenges and make critical decisions during pivotal career moments.

Musk emphasizes that this singular question is his litmus test for gauging exceptional ability and unraveling any potential falsehoods. He believes it provides him with a ‘very good gut feeling’ about an individual, distinguishing those who have authentically faced and conquered difficulties from those who merely claim credit.

The Tesla CEO elaborates, “What I’m really looking for is evidence of exceptional ability so that they’ve faced really difficult problems and overcome them. And of course, you want to make sure that if there was some significant accomplishment, were they really responsible or was somebody else more responsible.”

Musk contends that those genuinely responsible for accomplishments tend to remember the details vividly, allowing the interviewer to discern between actual contributors and mere bystanders. The probing question, he asserts, exposes the authenticity of a candidate’s claims.

Indeed, a prominent employment website, aligns with Musk’s approach, listing it among the ‘eight common problem-solving questions’ frequently posed in job interviews. The site suggests candidates reflect on unexpected challenges they’ve faced using the STAR technique—explaining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result—ensuring authenticity in responses.

As job seekers prepare for interviews, Musk’s revealing question becomes a beacon, urging them to embrace their challenges genuinely and showcase the strategic problem-solving skills employers seek.