unilad homepage
unilad homepage
    • News
      • UK News
      • US News
      • World News
      • Crime
      • Health
      • Money
      • Sport
      • Travel
    • Music
    • Technology
    • Film and TV
      • News
      • DC Comics
      • Disney
      • Marvel
      • Netflix
    • Celebrity
    • Politics
    • Advertise
    • Terms
    • Privacy & Cookies
    • LADbible Group
    • LADbible
    • SPORTbible
    • GAMINGbible
    • Tyla
    • UNILAD Tech
    • FOODbible
    • License Our Content
    • About Us & Contact
    • Jobs
    • Latest
    • Archive
    • Topics A-Z
    • Authors
    Facebook
    Instagram
    X
    Threads
    TikTok
    YouTube
    Submit Your Content
    Elon Musk asks one crucial question in every job interview to spot a liar

    Home> News

    Published 10:15 22 Mar 2025 GMT

    Elon Musk asks one crucial question in every job interview to spot a liar

    Do you think you'd pass Elon Musk's all-important question?

    Ellie Kemp

    Ellie Kemp

    google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
    Featured Image Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images

    Topics: Business, Elon Musk, Jobs, Space X, Tesla

    Ellie Kemp
    Ellie Kemp

    Ellie joined UNILAD in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. She moved from Reach PLC where she worked as a senior journalist at the UK’s largest regional news title, the Manchester Evening News. She also covered TV and entertainment for national brands including the Mirror, Star and Express. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys watching true crime documentaries and curating the perfect Spotify playlist.

    X

    @EllieKempOnline

    Advert

    Advert

    Advert

    There's one major question Elon Musk asks in every job interview to spot a liar - how do you think you'd fare?

    If you're going for a job at one of Musk's companies, like Tesla and SpaceX, than chances are you'll be against some tough competition.

    And if you considered embellishing your experience in the resume or even the interview stage, then think again.

    In an interview with Auto Bild in 2017, Elon Musk was asked about the skills he looks for in potential employees.

    Advert

    But rather than focusing on a candidate's achievements in education, the world's richest man typically hones in on one particular question.

    While asking them for the 'story of their career,' the X owner revealed: "I really just ask: 'What are some of the tougher problems [you've] dealt with and how [you] dealt with those?'

    "And how they made decisions at key transition points," he added.

    But why is this one main question so important to Musk?

    Well, the technology billionaire revealed the question 'is usually enough' to give him 'a very good gut feeling about someone' and can even reveal whether or not he's being lied to as well.

    Musk continued: "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 said normally the person who's 'had to struggle with the problem they really understand it and they don't forget'.

    He resolved: "So you can ask them very detailed questions about it and they'll know the answer, whereas the person who was not truly responsible for that accomplishment will not know the details."

    Job interviews can be a major source of stress - so don't lie during them! (Narisari Nami/Getty Images)
    Job interviews can be a major source of stress - so don't lie during them! (Narisari Nami/Getty Images)

    And don't just take Musk's word for it either, as Indeed has also flagged it as one of the 'eight common problem-solving questions' you could be asked if facing a job interview soon.

    The site notes: "If the job you're applying for requires you to think analytically or solve problems, your interviewer may ask some problem-solving questions. These questions can vary between industries and jobs, but some examples come up frequently."

    And indeed, one of the questions featured on the employment website has the same theme as Musk's: "Describe a time when you faced an unexpected challenge in your job?"

    Elon Musk can catch potential employees out with just one question (Getty Images)
    Elon Musk can catch potential employees out with just one question (Getty Images)

    Alongside what Musk said about simply not lying by taking credit where it's not due, Indeed advises: "Explain what challenges you have and what you did to overcome them. You can answer this question using the STAR technique.

    "The STAR technique includes explaining the situation, the task, what action you took and the result. Choose an example that has a positive outcome and talk about what you learned from the experience, linking this back to the job description if possible."

    Choose your content:

    3 hours ago
    6 hours ago
    10 hours ago
    • Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
      3 hours ago

      Donald Trump refuses to wear bulletproof vest over fears of looking heavier

      The US president expressed his concerns over the life saving equipment adding 20lbs to his appearance

      News
    • Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images
      6 hours ago

      Jeffrey Epstein’s cellmate claims to have read his suicide note that's been sealed from the public

      The note was allegedly left with Epstein's cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, according to a new report

      News
    • Joseph Okpako/WireImage
      10 hours ago

      Influencer claims she poisoned herself by eating one common food every day

      The content creator said doctors called to tell her she had 'dangerously high arsenic levels'

      News
    • State Department
      10 hours ago

      New passports with Donald Trump's face are raising huge concern for Americans

      The face of President Trump could be on your passport long after he leaves office

      News
    • Job experts issue five interview red flags that could indicate a toxic workplace
    • Woman shares question she asks in every job interview that's led to an offer every time
    • Bizarre job interview question saw man asked to leave seconds after sitting down
    • Man who skipped work for 6 years was only found out after he was set to win an award