In a 2017 interview with Auto Bild, Musk revealed the key trait he looks for in candidates. Surprisingly, rather than focusing on academic achievements, the billionaire relies on a single, telling question.
“I really just ask: ‘What are some of the tougher problems [you’ve] dealt with and how [you] dealt with those?’” Musk explained, adding that he asks candidates to share the “story of their career” and how they navigated critical decision points.
But why does he put so much weight on this one question?
Musk believes it gives him an immediate gut feeling about a candidate—and even helps him detect dishonesty. “What I’m really looking for is evidence of exceptional ability, meaning they’ve faced really difficult problems and overcome them,” he said.
He also wants to ensure that those claiming major accomplishments were truly responsible for them. “You want to make sure that if there was a significant achievement, they were the ones behind it—not someone else.”
Musk explained that individuals who have personally tackled tough challenges will recall intricate details. “You can ask them very detailed questions about it, and they’ll know the answer. But someone who wasn’t truly responsible won’t know the details,” he said.
Interestingly, Indeed identifies Musk’s question as one of the “eight common problem-solving questions” frequently asked in interviews. According to the job site, roles requiring analytical thinking or problem-solving often feature similar questions, such as: “Describe a time when you faced an unexpected challenge in your job.”
Beyond Musk’s advice on honesty, Indeed suggests using the STAR technique when responding:
Situation – Describe the challenge.
Task – Explain your role.
Action – Detail the steps you took.
Result – Highlight the positive outcome and what you learned.
Choosing a strong, relevant example—and staying truthful—could make all the difference in landing the job.
