In 2017, Elon Musk shared an interview approach that reflects what he values most when evaluating job candidates. Rather than focusing primarily on degrees or impressive résumés, he said he prefers to learn how people respond to real challenges they have faced throughout their careers.

Instead of asking unusual brainteasers, Musk relies on one straightforward question:

“What are some of the toughest problems you’ve faced, and how did you solve them?”

He encourages candidates to walk through the story of their careers, paying particular attention to difficult situations, major decisions, and the actions they personally took. For Musk, these moments often reveal far more than a list of qualifications ever could.

According to him, the goal isn’t simply to hear about success—it’s to understand the role the candidate actually played in achieving it. He wants evidence that someone tackled complex problems, made meaningful decisions, and contributed directly to important outcomes rather than simply being part of a larger team.

Musk has explained that people who genuinely solved a difficult problem usually remember the experience in remarkable detail. Because they lived through every stage of it, they can easily describe the obstacles they encountered, the decisions they made, and why they chose a particular solution. Someone who exaggerates their involvement often struggles when asked detailed follow-up questions.

Career experts note that similar questions are common in many interviews. Employers frequently ask applicants to describe a challenging situation they encountered at work and explain how they handled it. One widely recommended way to answer these questions is by using the STAR method:

• Situation: Explain the context.
• Task: Describe your responsibility.
• Action: Outline the specific steps you took.
• Result: Share the outcome and what was achieved.

This structured approach helps candidates provide clear, specific examples instead of broad or generic statements.

Musk has often emphasized that he looks for people who have demonstrated exceptional problem-solving ability. Throughout his career building companies like Tesla and SpaceX, he has argued that innovation depends on individuals who can overcome difficult challenges rather than simply perform well on tests or rely on academic credentials alone.

Interestingly, research in psychology supports the value of asking for detailed personal experiences. Studies on interview techniques suggest that people recalling genuine events naturally provide richer, more verifiable details. Those who are inventing or exaggerating stories often keep their answers more general and may struggle when asked increasingly specific questions.

The key takeaway is simple: if you’re preparing for an interview—whether at Tesla, another technology company, or almost any employer—focus on sharing authentic experiences. Be ready to explain the challenge, your role, the decisions you made, and the results you achieved. Concrete examples supported by real details tend to leave a much stronger impression than polished but vague answers.