Elon Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals and the driving force behind companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, is known for his unique approach to hiring. Unlike many employers who rely heavily on resumes and formal qualifications, Musk focuses on one key trait when selecting employees: evidence of exceptional ability.
In a recent interview with the German automotive magazine Auto Bild, Musk explained that he doesn’t believe a college degree—or even a high school diploma—is necessary for success at his companies. Instead, he seeks individuals with a proven track record of achievement, stating, “If there’s a history of exceptional achievement, that’s likely to continue into the future.”
The Question That Reveals the Truth
Musk’s unconventional hiring method includes a specific job interview question that he says helps him identify the best candidates—and spot liars. When interviewing potential employees, he asks them to recount: “Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them.”
For Musk, the answer isn’t as important as the thought process behind it. He doesn’t care if the candidate gets the answer “right”; rather, he’s more interested in how they approached the problem, tackled challenges, and made decisions at critical moments in their career. Musk believes that by focusing on the story behind the solution, he can better assess a candidate’s true capabilities.
How Musk Spots Liars
What sets Musk’s method apart is its ability to expose dishonest candidates. He explains that individuals who genuinely faced difficult problems can describe the details of their solutions in depth without hesitation. They remember the nuances and struggles they encountered along the way.
On the other hand, people who are fabricating their experiences tend to offer vague or overly general responses. They may try to avoid providing specifics, as they fear that offering too much information could expose inconsistencies in their story. According to Musk, this is a red flag.
The Psychology Behind Musk’s Technique
Musk’s strategy is not just based on intuition—it’s also supported by psychological research. Experts in lie detection, such as Dr. Cody Porter, have studied how people tell the truth versus when they are lying. According to Dr. Porter, truth-tellers tend to provide longer, more detailed accounts of events because they have nothing to hide. In contrast, liars try to limit the amount of information they give, fearing that additional details could expose their falsehood.
Dr. Porter notes that this approach has been used effectively by investigators to detect deception. Studies have shown that when individuals provide more information, the accuracy of detecting lies increases significantly—from 48% to 81%. This is because truth-tellers are comfortable with the facts and can offer thorough, confident responses.
Why This Matters
Elon Musk’s unique interview technique highlights the importance of substance over appearances when hiring top talent. By focusing on how candidates solve real-world problems and their ability to recall specific details about their past experiences, Musk can identify individuals who are not only skilled but also trustworthy.
As businesses continue to evolve and competition for talent intensifies, it’s clear that Musk’s method of assessing candidates is both innovative and effective. By relying on genuine insight and the ability to navigate complex situations, Musk ensures that his companies are staffed with exceptional people who can help drive them toward future success.
