Dreaming of Working at Tesla? Here's What You Need to Know

For some tech-savvy job seekers, a position at Tesla seemed almost unreal. Well, it could simply be as of late. Elon Musk, the brand’s eccentric CEO, is in charge of yet another wave of layoffs. Not only that, but the corporation just removed the bulk of its current employment postings.

About 140,000 people were employed by Tesla as of Q4 2023, working in all departments, including engineering, design, and production. Such a broad brand, as you could expect, hires almost continuously. When everything is going fine, nonetheless. Sadly, though, a cursory glance at the Tesla Careers website only reveals three available manufacturing positions: one each in Texas, California, and Nevada.

The roles, according to Gizmodo, include a training program that lasts for seven weeks and offers the “opportunity to transition into a full-time production associate.” Whatever the nature of the roles, it’s a dramatic change from the number of open positions at the firm two weeks ago. As of May 1st, there were over 3,400 job advertisements for Tesla in North America. Of them, only those three positions remain.

The EV behemoth has previously removed all of its open employment postings, though. Following hundreds of staff layoffs in April, the company deleted almost all of their job postings. The empty employment board, meanwhile, was short-lived as Tesla quickly updated a large number of job postings.

Here are some key things to know if you’re dreaming of working at Tesla:

The Application Process is Highly Competitive

Tesla receives a huge volume of job applications, making the process extremely competitive. In 2021, Tesla had over 10,000 open positions and received over 3 million applications. To stand out, you’ll need to tailor your resume to the specific role, highlight relevant skills and experience, and demonstrate a passion for Tesla’s mission.

Elon Musk Plays a Big Role in Hiring

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known to be heavily involved in the hiring process, especially for senior roles. He personally interviews many candidates and has high standards. Impressing Musk is key to getting hired at Tesla.

Expect a Fast-Paced, High-Pressure Environment

Tesla operates with a sense of urgency and expects employees to work hard and move quickly. The company culture is fast-paced and high-pressure. Employees report long hours and intense workloads.

Opportunities for Growth and Impact

While the work environment is demanding, Tesla offers opportunities for growth and making an impact. As a fast-growing company, there are chances to take on increasing responsibility. Employees feel they are contributing to an important mission.

Leverage Your Network

Networking is key to getting a foot in the door at Tesla. Reach out to current and former employees on LinkedIn to learn about open roles and get referrals. Employee referrals are a common way Tesla hires.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Tesla’s interviews are known to be technically rigorous, especially for engineering roles. Be prepared to discuss your technical skills in-depth and solve coding challenges. Musk is known to ask probing questions to assess candidates’ knowledge[1].

In summary, landing a job at Tesla requires persistence, passion, technical skills, and a bit of luck, given the intense competition. Leveraging your network, tailoring your application, and preparing for tough interviews are keys to standing out. The rewards are the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and an important mission.

All the same, Musk’s electric car brand has had a challenging few months. Over 14,000 layoffs—roughly 10% of the brand’s workforce—have been caused by cuts. Approximately 500 individuals, or the entire Supercharger Network team, have lost their jobs most recently.

Dreaming of Working at Tesla? Here’s What You Need to Know