Some job roles at Tesla are said to come with a pretty gruelling interview process

I think we all know that tech jobs are where it’s at.

From data scientists and software developers, to computer systems analysts and web developers; thousands of people across the US are fighting for jobs in the well-paid sector.

It’s said that data analysts are one of the hardest jobs to land a role in, while landing an internship as a corporation software engineer might be a little bit easier to come by.

Whether it’s Apple or Microsoft you’re trying to get a job at, each tech giant will have it’s own hiring process – and Tesla has been found to be one company to have the hardest interview procedures.

Headed by Elon Musk – one of the richest men on the planet – it’s understandable that millions of people apply for jobs at the car manufacturer each year.

In fact, according to data analyzed by Resume.io, a whopping 5.9 million people applied for a job at Tesla in 2023 alone.

With this in mind, it’s understandable that Musk’s company has to make things a little harder for applicants, so it can ensure that it’s getting the right person for the job.

Tesla had almost 6 million job applications last year. (Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

And Musk apparently has a favorite question he apparently likes to ask candidates, that question being: “You’re standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk one mile south, one mile west, and one mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you?”

For anyone left scratching their heads like me, it turns out the correct answer is the North Pole.

Away from brain-scrambling questions, some Tesla candidates could be faced with as many as nine interviews.

According to Resume.io Tesla’s hiring process for engineers can require as many as nine interviews, a series of tests, and, in some cases, a letter to Musk himself.

Tesla’s team may also invite you to do a presentation and a series of rapid-fire interviews that can last four to six hours in the hot seat. Yikes.

Elon Musk’s favorite interview question is quite the head-scratcher. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

With its gruelling process in mind, Amanda Augustine, Resume.io’s resident career expert has offered some advice on how to smash interviews at tech firms like Tesla.

“Reach out to people in your network who currently or previously worked for the company and check out employer-review sites like Glassdoor to gather insights into the company’s interview process so you know what to expect,” she said.

“Carefully review the job description to determine which skills and traits are most important for performing this role so you can brush up on those skills, if necessary, and brainstorm some examples of how you’ve leveraged those skills in the past to add value to a previous project or team.”

Tesla is one of the largest tech firms in the world. (JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Amanda went on: “If you’re interviewing for a technical role at a major tech company, expect the interview process to include some sort of programming challenge or coding test to screen your technical skills.

“If you learn that the company uses a particular online skill assessment or virtual interview platform, check out the site and see if it’s possible to test out the software or take a sample test so you can familiarize yourself with it ahead of time.

“If you’re like many job seekers out there who find interviewing to be daunting, your best bet is to practice putting yourself on the spot so you’re more comfortable when it counts.”

Good luck out there, folks!