How to Get
a Job at Tesla

Hiring Process and Tips

Tesla is a successful American corporation that specializes in electric vehicles and clean energy. Many people are eager to learn how to get a job at Tesla. How many pre-employment tests does it have? What common interview questions do its interviewers ask? What job openings can you apply to?

This guide will break down Tesla’s application process. We will also give you some tips and tricks that you can use to wow the hiring manager.

Why Work for Tesla?

If you’re passionate about renewable energy and innovation in the electric car industry, Tesla is the company for you. It offers a collaborative working environment where employees hone their skills by challenging each other. The company also values inclusivity, and it hires people regardless of their gender, race, religion, or personal background.

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The average salary for Tesla Motors employees is about $99,000 per year, according to PayScale. The company offers numerous benefits in addition to the high compensation. Most crucially, working for Tesla will open doors to networking opportunities that can boost your career.

Top Perks of Working for Tesla

Below are the remarkable benefits and perks you can get if you start working for Tesla. They include employee discounts, paid leave, and great retirement plans.

1

Employee Discounts

Working for Tesla means getting 35 percent off on select Tesla services and products. This discount does not typically apply to Tesla vehicles, but employees do pay less for minor merchandise like clothes and accessories.

2

Health and Well-Being Benefits

Tesla employees have access to several insurance policies that improve their quality of life and financial security. These include health and dental insurance, vision insurance, and life insurance up to $1 million. Tesla also offers gym reimbursements, on-site fitness classes, and counseling services in the form of an employee assistance program.

3

Paid Time Off (PTO)

According to Tesla employee reviews about the company’s vacation and PTO policy on Glassdoor, time off is subject to manager approval and depends on which state you work in. On average, salaried employees get two weeks of vacation and five days of sick pay per year.

4

Retirement Funds and Stock Options

Tesla offers 401(k) plans without employer matching. Instead of matching your 401(k) contributions, the company has an employee stock purchase program (ESPP), where it gives you a 15 percent discount on Tesla shares. The ESPP also allows employees to contribute up to 15 percent of their base salaries, perfect for people with long-term goals.

5

Maternity and Paternity Leave

New fathers can take up to seven weeks off when their baby is born. New mothers can take up to 12 weeks of maternity leave. Both come with pay and full benefits. Tesla also offers flexible working hours and work-from-home options to new parents on an as-needed basis.

A woman leading a meeting with her team members. How to Get a Job at Tesla

Tesla: Company Profile

Founded in Palo Alto, California in 2003, Tesla Motors was named after the famous Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla. The name was later changed from Tesla Motors to Tesla, Inc. American entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tappening established the company, but it’s currently being managed by CEO Elon Musk.

Tesla specializes in manufacturing electric vehicles and developing sustainable and clean energy solutions. Although it’s technically an engineering company, it can also be considered part of the design industry since creating clean energy vehicles is a design challenge as well. Tesla’s stated mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy”.

Tesla’s Company Culture

The company culture at Tesla is unconventional, a product of Elon Musk’s unique management style. Meetings are short, and employees only have to attend if they feel their presence is required to fulfill the needs of the meeting. Musk believes that this flexibility eliminates ineffective communication and helps the company make better decisions.

Tesla also fosters employees’ professional development. It does this primarily by giving them design challenges suitable to their job titles. For new hires specifically, the company offers generous mentorship and internship programs. Musk’s goal is to invest in workers who match his enthusiasm for delivering top-notch products to Tesla’s customers.

Tesla’s Top Achievements

In 2010, Tesla Motors went public, just the second American car manufacturer to do so, following in the footsteps of Ford. According to Statista, Tesla is the fastest-growing brand in the world, with its brand valuation growing at a rate of nearly 158 percent. It is also the sixth most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization hovering around $1 trillion.

Tesla’s biggest accomplishment has been to bring the electric car to the mainstream. Before Tesla, electric car batteries couldn’t compete with the speed and durability of gas-powered vehicles. But Tesla vehicles are faster-charging and can go longer between charges than the electric cars of old. This is a big win for sustainable energy.

What Is Life as a Tesla Employee Like?

What Is Life as a Tesla Employee Like?

Tesla employees usually work for sixty hours per week or twelve hours a day, according to employee reviews on Indeed. With a high demand for its products, it’s no surprise that workers are encouraged to work long hours to meet the necessary quotas. The work is stressful at times due to the incredibly fast-paced environment.

Since Tesla only hires the best of the best, you can expect to meet other highly creative and innovative people. You’ll team up with great coworkers who’ll help you become a better problem solver.

Is It Hard to Get a Job at Tesla?

Yes, it’s extremely difficult to get a job at Tesla. Irrespective of job title, the hiring process is highly competitive. You can expect a tough job interview, and you need to have a proactive approach to this and to any pre-employment test the company throws your way.

Employees at Tesla are hired based on whether they meet the eligibility requirements, as well as on the strength of their relevant work experience and the hands-on projects they’ve done in the past. In some cases, you may be able to submit a portfolio of personal projects in lieu of formal experience.

Even if you meet all the job requirements, you will still have to undergo a grueling hiring process. Depending on the job title, you will be subject to some combination of online assessments, situational tests, personality tests, phone interviews, anonymous employee reviews, and a background check.

What Do I Need to Study to Work at Tesla?

For some entry-level jobs, previous job experience in data analytics or formal training as an auto mechanic may suffice. If you’re an experienced auto mechanic, then you can enroll in the Tesla START program, which trains you to become a Tesla service technician.

For senior roles, you need to study mechanical engineering, physical science, and other STEM subjects. Since Tesla is working on self-driving vehicles, you should also have relevant training in developing artificial intelligence.

Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job at Tesla?

Yes, a coding bootcamp can boost your chances of getting an entry-level job at Tesla. Coding bootcamps offer career-specific courses in technical subjects, and you need all the technical training you can get if you want to work for this innovative company. There are even free coding bootcamps available online that you can check out.

Two people in a job interview with one person holding a clipboard and asking questions. How to Get a Job at Tesla

Top Tips to Ace Your Job Application for Tesla

Trying to find a job in the automobile technology and design industry is tough, and Tesla’s hiring process can be taxing. By following the three tips below, you’ll have a good shot at landing a job with Tesla.

Have the Necessary Work Experience

For starters, you need to make sure your relevant work experience matches the eligibility requirements for the job position you’re applying for. By tailoring your resume to the desired qualifications and required experience, you will be more likely to advance to the next stage of the hiring process.

Enroll in the Tesla START Program

The Tesla START program is a 12-week intensive course that teaches auto mechanics how to work on Tesla vehicles. At the end of this training, graduates will get a job offer from the company.

To qualify for the program, you have to become an auto mechanic first. Other eligibility requirements include a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, a fluent understanding of English, basic computer skills, and the ability to lift between 50 and 60 pounds.

Prepare for the Pre-Employment Tests

When you apply for a job at Tesla, you’ll be faced with various tests. These may include online tests, personality tests, situational tests, and game-based tests such as motor simulation. Acing these pre-employment tests can boost your chances of getting hired.

Common Job Titles at Tesla

Below are the common job titles at Tesla. Most of them are in the technology field and many of them involve a mix of knowledge in computer, information, and automobile technology.

Production Associate

Level: Entry-level

Average hourly wage: $21

Experience requirements: 1 year in a similar role

Education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

As a production associate, you’ll be participating in the assembly and construction of Tesla vehicles. You must have relevant work experience in handling and building automobiles.

Data Analyst

Level: Entry-level or mid-level

Average salary: $87,961

Experience requirements: 3 years in a data analysis role

Education requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Information Management, or a related field

As a data analyst at Tesla, you’ll be handling, gathering, and interpreting large amounts of data. Moreover, you’ll be analyzing the data and providing ongoing reports based on your analysis. Mastery of SQL or JavaScript is a must.

Service Technician

Level: Entry-level to mid-level

Average salary: $60,067

Experience requirements: 2 years in automobile repair

Education requirements: High school diploma, Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tesla service technicians are responsible for doing repair work on vehicles. They troubleshoot and fix any issues or problems that arise in the development of Tesla automobiles.

Mechanical Engineer

Level: Mid-level to senior-level

Average salary: $105,453

Experience requirements: 4 years in a mechanical engineering role

Education requirements: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

As a mechanical engineer, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the development of Tesla vehicles. You will manage a team and keep your team members updated on the company’s relevant operations and procedures.

Autopilot Engineer

Level: Senior-level

Average salary: $85,381

Experience requirements: 4 years in the development of performance models and test simulations

Education requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields

This job requires you to create validation tests, perform them, and deliver key results. You’ll be developing artificial intelligence for the self-driving feature of Tesla vehicles.

Tesla Hiring Process

Tesla Hiring Process

The Tesla hiring process is lengthy and difficult. The interview process is long and you’ll have to talk to many different people. You’ll also have to undergo various tests, which are designed to gauge your eligibility for the position you’re applying for. The process below is the typical path a potential employee might follow when applying to Tesla.

Update Your Resume

You need to write a great resume to get a job at Tesla. Once you’ve found Tesla jobs online, either on Tesla’s website or third-party websites like Glassdoor and Indeed, you should tailor your resume to the eligibility requirements. List your relevant work experience and show your technical background in a way that will impress the recruiter.

Take Part in a Phone Interview

There are different interview stages in the Tesla hiring process, and the first is the phone interview. If your resume is impressive enough, a recruiter will call you and ask interview questions about your technical background. A current Tesla staff member may also conduct an anonymous employee review. It may take two to three phone interviews before you move to the next stage.

Take Various Tests

Tesla uses pre-employment tests to evaluate candidates being hired. Most of them are online tests that come before the in-person interview.

One is the Hogan personality test, which measures how well your values and life goals mesh with Tesla’s company values. Another is a situational test that examines your managerial skills in certain scenarios. There is also a game-based test, which is used to test your driving skills.

Sit for In-Person Interviews

Next is the in-person interview. In this interview stage, the company will place you in a group with other applicants and the designated hiring manager. After the group interview, you’ll have a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager.

Go to the Tesla Assessment Center

Once you’ve passed all of the interviews, you’ll head for the Tesla Assessment Center. Here you will spend a day completing different types of tests, participating in a group discussion, and preparing a presentation for the hiring board. After you leave, the hiring board will compare you with the other candidates and decide whether to offer you the job.

Should I Get a Job at Tesla?

Yes, you should. The company has multiple job openings at any given time, and compensation for all openings matches the industry standard. If long work hours don’t bother you, then Tesla is a great company to work for.

Keep in mind that getting a job at Tesla isn’t easy. You have to pass a series of pre-employment tests, ace your job interview, and conquer the Tesla Assessment Center. But the chance to work on innovative products and work with highly-skilled and creative people is worth the effort. If you think you have what it takes, the time to apply is now.

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