By Mike Simpson
When it comes to tech giants, few names garner as much attention as Tesla. Highly innovative, many professionals dream of having a chance to play a part in the company. Since that’s the case, competition for jobs is fierce. As a result, being able to nail the Tesla interview questions is essential.
Fortunately, you can put your best foot forward with a bit of preparation and some helpful tips. If you want to shine, here’s what you need to know.
How to Answer Tesla Interview Questions
Before we hop into the Tesla interview questions and answers, it’s important to talk strategy. You can’t just know what questions might come up; you need to be ready for the unexpected.
Tesla is a unique company, with operations spanning multiple areas. While they’re best known for their electric cars, which were initially launched in 2008, the company also creates solar power systems. Tesla has produced small-batch tequila, surfboard, and more.
Plus, Tesla is even looking at getting into the food service industry, building diners and drive-in movie combination experiences with vehicle charging stations. A humanoid robot may start production soon. And that doesn’t even get into what SpaceX and the Boring Company are up to, both of which are part of the broader organization.
Since Tesla is such a varied company, there’s no way to know everything a hiring manager might ask. So, how do you get ready?
First, you want to dive into the job description. That gives you the ins and outs of what the hiring manager is primarily after. Take a close look at the must-have skills and experience, but also read between the lines. Much of the job description has clues about desired traits and the company culture, so really dig in and learn as much as possible.
You’ll also want to take a trip to the company website. Learn about current and future Tesla products and projects. Review the mission and values statements for insights into the culture.
Then, get on social media and check out the Tesla profile pages. Dive into the posts to find out more about the culture and recent news, as those can give you more points to incorporate into your answers.
At that point, you have quite a bit of information. So, it’s time to talk about how to approach different kinds of Tesla interview questions.
In many cases, traditional ones are pretty straightforward. The hiring manager will ask if you have certain knowledge, experience, or skills. If you do, say so, then follow up with an example from your past that showcases you putting it to work. If not, be honest, then pivot to show how you’ll acquire the skill, experience, or knowledge, showcasing your willingness to learn.
When it’s time for behavioral and situational questions, you’ll need to adjust your strategy. These require clear examples – either from your past or outlining what you’d do in a hypothetical scenario.
Luckily, you can create compelling answers by combining two techniques: the STAR Method and the Tailoring Method. Your answers will be engaging, thorough, and relevant. What could be better than that?
Top 3 Tesla Interview Questions
As mentioned above, Tesla has a lot of irons in the fire. Since that’s the case, the company hires a wide range of technical professionals. Plus, they need administrative, customer service, and manufacturing staff.
That means very few Tesla job interviews are exactly alike. Since that’s the case, you may encounter questions that other people don’t.
Our aim here is to touch on those that are most common across several career categories. Many will apply to you, but some may not, and that’s okay. They all give you insights into how to approach the interview.
Here’s a look at our top three Tesla interview questions.
1. Why Tesla?
The “Why Tesla” interview question comes up in nearly every interview at the company, regardless of the position type. In fact, it might be the first question you get after the classic icebreaker, “Tell me about yourself.”
In most cases, the hiring manager wants to see that you have knowledge about the company and are enthusiastic about the opportunity. Highlight why you think Tesla is amazing, ensuring your passion shines through.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“As a tech professional, I understand the power of innovation. Tesla is easily one of the most innovative companies in the tech space. It’s constantly looking for better solutions and strategies, and I find that incredibly intriguing.
Plus, Tesla isn’t afraid to be a bit unconventional or unexpected. It doesn’t focus solely on meeting or exceeding customer expectations; it wants to introduce solutions to problems people didn’t even know they had.
The idea of being a part of a company that’s classically at the forefront is invigorating. Along with being a place that will allow me to use my skills in a new way, the learning opportunities are likely ample, and I look forward to growing with a company like Tesla that will always keep me on my toes.”
2. Do you think you’re a match for a high-performance, results-driven company?
This question aims to gauge aspects of your personality. Tesla is known for being a fast-paced organization, and it has incredibly high expectations of its workforce.
Ideally, you want to show the hiring manager that you thrive in challenging environments. Additionally, you can add tidbits that showcase your ability to manage stress, rounding out your answer.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“Personally, I feel that I thrive in high-performance environments. I do incredibly well when the pressure is high, and the expectations are challenging. It keeps me focused, driven, and motivated, allowing me genuinely be at my best.
For example, in my past role, I was handling a major project, and the deadline was approaching rapidly. I had the time available to complete everything on schedule but had to adapt when another massive project was placed on my plate after a colleague fell ill and couldn’t finish it.
At that point, I had two significant priorities and didn’t want either to fall by the wayside. I remained calm by embracing organization. I outlined all of the remaining tasks for both projects, giving me a success roadmap. Then, I spoke with other colleagues, seizing opportunities to tap their expertise. I also readjusted my schedule to ensure lower priority work that could wait was accounted for but out of the way temporarily.
My approach was ultimately effective, and both projects were completed on time and to the customer’s satisfaction.”
3. If you accepted a job at Tesla, what are three things your current manager would miss most about having you on their team?
This question is a bit different from the classic, “How would your manager describe you?” It’s a bit more focused, as you need to outline three skills or traits.
Make sure to consider things from your current manager’s perspective. They view things differently than individual contributors, so focus on capabilities and characteristics that are meaningful in that context.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
“If I had to choose three things my current manager would miss most, the first is my willingness to step up when a colleague is in trouble. Our team’s success isn’t just defined by me; everyone needs to thrive if we’re going to excel as a team. When opportunities to provide support arise, I seize them, which I think takes a significant burden off of my manager.
I’m also highly detail-oriented. I believe in the value of reviewing my own work and correcting mistakes before they become serious issues. While it takes a little more time, the time savings created by ensuring my work is error-free offsets that and reduces stress for my manager.
Finally, I’m a strong communicator. Collaboration only works when people talk openly and honestly, as well as actively listen. I believe in breaking down siloes and do what I can to ensure information flows clearly and freely.”
22 More Tesla Interview Questions
Here are 22 more Tesla interview questions you might encounter during your meeting with the hiring manager:
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- What do you know about Tesla and its products?
- What motivated you to launch your current career?
- How do you manage tight, conflicting deadlines effectively?
- What’s something unique you feel that you could bring to the company?
- Which of Tesla’s values resonates most with you, and why?
- Can you outline how you manage a project from start to finish?
- Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from the experience?
- Describe a time when you had to solve a problem with very little starting information.
- Tell me how you would positively impact the company culture.
- What do you know about cars?
- How would your former colleagues describe your performance?
- Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate to solve a problem.
- How do you deal with repetition on the job?
- We’ve met with multiple candidates that have a similar background. What sets you apart?
- Tell me about a time when you were innovative on the job.
- Does our mission resonate with you? If so, why?
- How do you respond to change in the workplace?
- If you unexpectedly had downtime while at work, what would you do with it?
- Can you tell me which of Tesla’s upcoming projects interests you most?
- What management style do you prefer?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- If you didn’t get a position with Tesla, where else would you like to work?
5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of a Tesla Interview
When your interview gets ready to wrap up, you’ll typically get a chance to ask the hiring manager a few questions. This is a critical moment. By asking the right questions, you’ll come across as enthusiastic and engaged, which works in your favor.
Now, you can certainly ask questions that you think of as the interview unfolds. But it’s also a good idea to have a handful of standbys, ensuring you’ll have something you can ask if nothing comes up along the way.
With that in mind, here are five good questions to ask at the end of a Tesla interview:
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- How has this position changed over time in response to new developments and company advancements?
- Since Tesla is highly innovative, how do you envision this role changing over time to keep pace with the advancements?
- Why did you join Tesla? Has anything about working here surprised you since you came onboard?
- What about Tesla’s culture stands out in your eyes?
- How would you describe the current team dynamic? Is there anything specific that it’s lacking that you hope the new hire will cover?
Putting It All Together
By now, you should have a solid idea of how to answer Tesla interview questions. Use every question and tip above to your advantage. That way, you can separate yourself from other candidates, increasing your odds of landing the job.
And as always, good luck!
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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.
His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.
Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page.