How I Landed a Job at Tesla — and Helped Dozens More Do the Same
“I’ve been at Tesla for more than 4.5 years. I’ve helped dozens of people land interviews and internship/full-time offers.”
🧠 Why This Post Exists
Seven years ago, I wrote a Quora post about how I landed an internship at Tesla. I didn’t expect it to take off—but even now, I still get messages from people asking how they can break into Tesla, or just curious about the path I took.
Since then, I’ve spent countless hours on one-on-one calls with students, career switchers, and seasoned engineers. Not everyone gets in—but some do. Check the recommendations on my LinkedIn, and you’ll see real names, real results.
But with the demand for my time constantly growing, I’ve had to find smarter ways to help at scale—including creating a custom GPT you can chat with any time. It’s called the ZenithX GPT, and I’m continuously training it to share everything I know.
Now, after nearly five years full-time at Tesla, I’m expanding the original playbook.
So what’s the secret sauce?
Honestly... there isn’t one.
(Sorry if you paid for that truth.) - EDIT: I’ve decided to make this content open to help more people.
But before you rage-close this tab and cancel your subscription—hear me out.
This post won’t guarantee you a job.
But it will increase your chances.
And in this game, that edge might be all you need.
💥 Flashback: How I Got In (And What Still Applies)
In short? It was part luck, part grit, and part obsession.
Back then, a friend referred me to a team that aligned with a project I had worked on. They liked my experience—but ironically, I didn’t work on that project at all during my internship. Tesla pivots fast. Roles change. Expectations shift.
Still, I had a shot. Here’s why:
✅ 1. GPA matters... a little.
It won’t get you the job. But a low GPA can raise eyebrows. I had a 3.5—not stellar, but safe.
🔨 2. Work on what you love.
Build things you're willing to lose sleep over. Tesla wants builders who bleed passion. It shows.
🤝 3. Network everywhere.
Not just with Tesla people. Make real connections. Some of those people will work here one day—and they’ll remember you.
🧗 4. Keep trying.
I interviewed and didn’t get an offer my third year. But I kept at it. 1.5 years later, the right role opened.
Fast Forward: 4.5 Years at Tesla—What I’ve Learned
Now that I’ve worked here full-time for nearly half a decade, here’s what I wish more people understood:
🔧 5. Tesla doesn’t hire walking textbooks.
Interviews don’t test what you know. They test how you think. Problem-solving is everything.
Our engineers deal with new problems every week—problems that have no textbook answers. You're expected to know your fundamentals, yes. But you’re hired to create new solutions, not recite old ones.
🙃 6. Don’t be desperate.
Job hunting is like dating. The more desperate you are, the more the other person can feel it. And it’ll cloud your thinking.
If you're anxious before your interview, pause. Ask yourself: Why am I nervous? Then do something that boosts your confidence—journal, meditate, go for a run.
The goal is to reach the top of Maslow’s pyramid before the interview:
Be fed.
Feel safe.
Feel loved.
Hold esteem.
Self-actualize.
That way, when you walk into that interview, you're not asking for a job—you’re offering your purpose.
💙 7. Be kind.
Your interviewer is human. Maybe they’re exhausted. Maybe they opened this req because they’re drowning in work.
Try to ease their burden. Ask:
“What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?”
“What’s something you’re excited about outside of work?”
Kindness builds trust. You’re not just a resume anymore—you’re someone they’d want to solve hard problems with.
🤲 8. Be humble.
Tesla engineers don’t know all the answers. We’re trained to admit when we don’t—and then figure it out together.
Humanity didn’t evolve by going solo. We survived by working in tribes. The same applies here. We succeed because we’re collaborative, not cocky.
If you're a lone wolf who thinks you have it all figured out… maybe Tesla’s not the right fit. Maybe you’re meant to start your own company.
Final Thoughts
So what’s the real “secret sauce” to getting a job at Tesla?
There isn’t one.
But if I had to distill it:
Be obsessed with solving hard problems.
Be a decent human.
And never stop improving.
If you do those three things—consistently—then maybe, just maybe… someone here will notice.
👋 Want more Tesla insights—culture, leadership, design, and strategy?
Stay subscribed for more stories from the inside. I guarantee that learning about how I think will help you grow. Knowledge is power.
And if you make it to Tesla after reading this?
You owe me coffee. Just kidding. But you can buy someone else who is less fortunate a cup of coffee or help mentor another human ☺️