Find a Job You Really Want In
There’s no denying the considerable allure of a company that is constantly at the forefront of modern innovation, producing admittedly unique and expensive technology. From futuristic electric cars to solar-powered roof panels, Tesla continues to wow customers around the country year after year.
In fact, in recent years, Tesla has seen upwards of 500,000 applications per year while only having just over 2,000 positions available. On top of that, in 2018, the tech company received the #6 spot on LinkedIn’s hottest companies list, based on their job application numbers.
All that being said, if you’re interested in applying, you should be prepared to face some considerable competition.
So how do you showcase your accomplishments, skills, and qualifications in a way that will catch Tesla’s attention? Luckily, this article will examine the various factors that may contribute to your Tesla application’s success and provide valuable information about how Tesla chooses to screen their candidates.
Key Takeaways:
When you apply for a job at Tesla, make sure you have a future-oriented vision that aligns with theirs.
Tesla has a notoriously rigorous work culture, so be prepared to make sacrifices.
Make sure to highlight your potential and what you can add to the Tesla team, and back it up with quantifiable past successes.
Understand that the hiring process includes interviews and assessments.
In This Article
Skip to section
- How To Get a Job with Tesla
- What to Expect After Submitting an Application
- Preparing for Your Interview
- Examples of the Jobs Available At Tesla
- How To Get A Job At Tesla FAQ
- Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs
Show More
How To Get a Job with Tesla
Have a Vision or Mission that Aligns with Tesla. To properly connect with a company dedicated to a massive and innovative mission, you have to be equally inspired by that mission. One of Tesla’s major goals is to accelerate the global transition to sustainable, green energy.
This vision for the future drives nearly all of the company’s decision-making and has allowed them to create the unique, futuristic technologies they market. Unlike other companies, Tesla is almost entirely driven by their future goals rather than maintaining current systems.
With that in mind, one of the best ways for the company to notice you is to align yourself with its mission. Find ways to make it clear that you’re passionate about innovation and sustainability.
Try to think of examples from your life that showcase your dedication to improving the world around you. This will allow your passions to resonate with Tesla’s hiring managers.
Understand Tesla’s Company Culture. With a heavy focus on innovation, Tesla regularly supports its employees by encouraging them to think outside of the box and develop new, organic solutions. Employees are expected to take a proactive approach when problem-solving and motivate themselves in the workplace.
If you find that you’re exceptionally self-motivated, able to solve puzzles on your own, and willing to make potentially tough decisions, this kind of company culture will suit you. No one is going to hold your hand at Tesla, so you should do your best to outline your leadership and problem-solving skills during the application process.
Additionally, Tesla workers consistently report working long hours and sometimes struggling with their work-life balance, so you’ll need to be willing and able to keep up with a demanding work schedule. When faced with working over 8 hours per day, six days a week, your passion for Tesla’s mission needs to outweigh the burnout.
Of course, working rigorous hours isn’t for everyone, which is exactly why you should be aware of it before you apply. Then, if you’re willing to take on the workload, explain to the hiring manager why you have the motivation and commitment to do so.
Apply. There are several ways you can apply to Tesla:
Tesla’s website. Tesla’s own career page is a great place to ensure your resume and cover letter reach the Tesla hiring managers. It is a pretty straightforward process where you filter and search for openings, and then you upload your application material to apply.
Third party websites. Tesla may also present openings on third party websites where you can always apply as well.
Networking. One of the best ways to land any job is to network. Reach out to your own contacts and see if anybody can connect you with people at Tesla. If your network is limited, try attending a career fair or networking event that includes Tesla.
Use a recruiter. If you are lucky, a recruiter may come to you trying to help you land a job. Let them know you are interested in Tesla and see if they can help you.
Clearly Outline Your Potential. Unlike other companies looking for highly qualified and intelligent candidates, Tesla doesn’t require you to be a 4.0 Harvard graduate to consider your application. Instead, this future tech company strives to find candidates from any background that show exceptional potential.
While being an Ivy League graduate can certainly indicate potential, being a non-college grad from a small town in Nebraska who just so happens to build highly efficient solar panels is also someone Tesla could be highly interested in.
In other words, don’t let your status or education get in the way of your goal to work for this company, as it will have little bearing on your ability to land a job.
More than anything, outline the various reasons why you have the potential to succeed at Tesla. Maybe you’ve completed a project that might be of interest to the company or have participated in extracurricular activities related to the company’s mission.
Regardless of which personal examples you choose to use, be sure to hone in on the experience and soft skills that make you a high-potential candidate.
Understand How to Take Advantage of Tesla’s Hiring System. Compared to other large companies, Tesla has a unique system of examining applications. Remarkably, despite the growth of the company and the sheer volume of applications, every single one is examined by a real person.
What does this mean for you?
Well, instead of focusing your efforts on keywords or formatting that’s meant to be picked up by a computer, you can carefully personalize and humanize every aspect of your resume.
For instance, if the hiring manager wants to see examples of your innovative potential, you can provide detailed information about your experience and skills that a computer prodding could easily miss for keywords.
Additionally, you can research what current or former Tesla employees did to be noticed by hiring managers and emulate their advice in your resume or cover letter.
However, remember that choosing to have countless applications reviewed by real people can cause considerable wait times, so don’t panic if you’re in the dark for a while. After submitting your application, you may have as long as a week to hear back from the company.
Apply With Confidence. If you’re certain that you want to apply, the best thing you can do is just go for it. While looking for advice and doing research is certainly helpful, you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t apply. After all, nothing is stopping you from applying again.
Remember, regardless of your background, Tesla is always looking for diverse thinkers. Knowing you have something to offer the company, you should apply with confidence. Be aware of your potential, and don’t sell yourself short.
What to Expect After Submitting an Application
It is no simple task gathering great minds from across the U.S., so be prepared for a long and thorough vetting process before you’re officially hired. If your application is accepted, here are some of the next steps you can expect:
Phone interview. Before you’re invited to an in-person interview, you’ll likely be called by a hiring manager. Expect to have your general skills assessed and be asked about your interest in the company. If all goes well, you’ll likely be scheduled for an in-person interview.
In-person interviews. For the sake of giving candidates a thorough examination, hiring managers will often invite you to more than one interview. Be prepared to answer questions to the point of fatigue, and don’t panic when you’re given Tesla’s routine background check.
Assessment test. After you’ve successfully impressed the hiring manager, you’ll be required to take an assessment test. These tests are position-specific and usually require spending a day or two at an assessment center participating in a few relevant activities.
Preparing for Your Interview
Once you’ve successfully moved forward in Tesla’s rigorous hiring process, you’ll want to ensure that you continue making progress. Luckily, here are some common Interview questions you might run into, as well as sample answers:
Why do you want to work at Tesla?
Tesla’s vision and mission have always inspired me. As someone who’s dedicated a lot of my time to environmental science, I deeply admire the new and innovative technologies developed by this company. For that reason, I want to be a part of your mission and contribute my knowledge and skills toward developing Tesla’s technologies.
Has there ever been a time where you had to come up with a creative solution? If so, were you successful?
When I was attempting to wipe and resell my old computer, I ran into an issue with the reboot. Unfortunately, the computer crashed mid-wipe and was unable to reinstall Windows 10. Whenever I tried to restart the laptop, the system would have nowhere to go and just continued to give me a blank screen.
After several failed attempts to restart the laptop, I began researching the problem and discovered a series of buttons that would get me to an interactive screen. However, this still didn’t solve the problem. Luckily, I realized that I could download Windows 10 on a flash drive and install it that way. This process finally worked, but I was only able to succeed through relentless determination, my knowledge of computers, and my problem-solving skills.
Describe a situation where you used teamwork to overcome a challenge.
When my classmate and I worked on a particularly large metal frame for an engineering project, we found that it was too heavy for us to lift on our own. Given that we were on a time crunch to move the frame to the shop, we put our heads together and devised a plan to roll it using round fence posts. I pushed the frame in the direction it needed to go while my classmate would consistently remove and replace fence posts. This worked like a charm, and together we relocated the frame in less than an hour.
I know how to balance my boundless creativity with enough organizational skills to keep myself on track. I can come up with new and innovative solutions, but I can also be realistic about maintaining specific time frames and take valuable criticism. Overall, I think my ability to balance these two skills would make me a worthwhile asset to your company.
What do you know about cars?
Every car is a complex combination of parts that needs to work seamlessly together to provide ideal functionality. For instance, a low fuel economy can be caused by various issues, from inaccurate tire pressure, worn or misfiring spark plugs, or even simply using the wrong motor oil. That’s why I believe that thoroughly understanding every part of a car, as well as being willing to rule out every possible issue, is an important part of working with them.
Examples of the Jobs Available At Tesla
Now that you’re ready to get out there and apply, here is a list of some common jobs you might see listed from Tesla:
How To Get A Job At Tesla FAQ
Is it hard to get hired by Tesla?
What qualifications do you need to work at Tesla?
Does Tesla pay its employees well?
Yes, it is very hard to get a job at Tesla. However, this does not mean you should give up hope. You just need to understand that Tesla seeks out the most qualified and exceptional candidates. Tesla positions are very competitive, so you have to be ready to stand out among the best. That is why it is important to carefully consider your qualifications and what makes you a unique asset to the company.
Tesla wants candidates with highly skilled qualifications in problem solving and innovation. Tesla prides itself on its vision for the future. Regardless of your role at Tesla, you will be contributing to solving complex problems that lead the way for innovative solutions. Along with these skills, you’ll need to be highly qualified in your own particular field, with quantifiable achievements to prove your abilities.
Tesla pays an average salary of $108,037 per year, or $51.94 an hour. Tesla pays those in the bottom 10 percent $75,000 a year, and the top 10 percent over $154,000. Tesla employees in different sectors tend to have different salaries as well.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating / 5. Vote count:
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Articles In Guide
-
Get Hired
- How To Get A Job At Costco
- How To Get A Job At Starbucks
- How To Get A Job At Amazon
- How To Get A Job At Target
- How To Get A Job At Walmart
- How To Get A Job At Apple
- How To Get A Job At Tesla
- How To Get A Job At Boeing
- How To Get A Job At Microsoft
- How To Get A Job At Deloitte
- How To Get A Job At Facebook
- How To Get A Job At Google
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications.Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
I've spent years studying and researching the recruitment strategies and corporate culture of innovative tech companies like Tesla. From Tesla's distinct approach to hiring to its demanding work culture and the qualities they seek in candidates, I've dived into the specifics that set this company apart.
To break down the concepts mentioned in the article, let's explore:
-
Vision Alignment: Tesla seeks individuals passionate about innovation and sustainability, aligning with their goal to revolutionize global energy. Candidates need to showcase their dedication to making a positive impact, emphasizing how their experiences echo Tesla's vision.
-
Company Culture: Tesla thrives on innovation, encouraging independent thinking and proactive problem-solving. It looks for self-motivated individuals who excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Candidates must emphasize leadership, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to commit to intense work schedules.
-
Application Process: Applying via Tesla's website, third-party platforms, networking, or recruiters offers various entry points. Tesla values potential over traditional qualifications, welcoming candidates from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate exceptional abilities relevant to their goals.
-
Hiring System: Unlike automated systems, Tesla reviews every application personally. Candidates should craft personalized resumes and cover letters, highlighting their unique skills and experiences that might resonate with Tesla's mission. Patience is key due to the human-centered review process, causing potential delays.
-
Interview Preparation: Tesla's interviews scrutinize candidates extensively. Preparing for questions that assess alignment with Tesla's mission, problem-solving abilities, teamwork experiences, and uniqueness is crucial.
-
Available Jobs: Tesla offers diverse roles, from Warehouse Associates to Software Engineers, reflecting the spectrum of expertise needed to achieve its goals in manufacturing, engineering, software development, and management.
-
Challenges: Getting hired at Tesla is notoriously difficult due to the high demand and competitive nature of their positions. Candidates need to stand out by showcasing exceptional problem-solving skills, innovation, and alignment with Tesla's mission.
-
Qualifications: While academic qualifications matter, Tesla values problem-solving, innovation, and proven achievements in any field. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to contribute to Tesla's vision through quantifiable successes.
-
Salary and Benefits: Tesla pays well, with an average salary of $108,037 per year. However, salaries can vary based on roles and expertise within the company.
This information should offer a comprehensive view of the article's key points about landing a job at Tesla, encompassing everything from aligning with their vision to the specific hiring process and the qualities sought in candidates.
