How to Approach the Final Interview (At Tesla or Anywhere High-Stakes)
A guide to navigating your final interview with presence, purpose, and perspective.
If you’re looking for non-final round interviews, refer to my lightweight post:
This post is dedicated to a friend—and to anyone standing at the edge of possibility.
Over the years, I’ve gone through final-round interviews at Tesla, SpaceX, Apple, and Blue Origin. I’ve been flown out, grilled in panels, tested on whiteboards, and pushed in high-pressure interviews across some of the world’s most competitive companies.
Now, after nearly five years full-time at Tesla—including sitting on interview panels myself—I’ve gathered a unique perspective from both sides of the table.
This post is a culmination of those experiences—what I’ve learned, what hiring teams look for, and how you can approach your final interview with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
I originally wrote this for a close friend preparing for their final Tesla round. But I realized it could help a much wider audience—including you.
Because interviews aren’t just about impressing people—they’re about discovering if there’s alignment.
When that alignment is real, everyone wins.
1. Be Yourself—and Attract, Don’t Chase
Don’t show up trying to be the version of yourself you think the company wants.
Be the real you. Let them want you for who you are.
There’s a powerful difference between trying to “get” the job and attracting the opportunity by showing up as someone authentic, aligned, and fulfilled.
What is the Law of Attraction?
The Law of Attraction suggests that the energy you emit—confidence, clarity, authenticity—draws similar energy back to you. When you show up whole, opportunities that match that energy gravitate toward you.
If you're feeling nervous before the interview, pause and reflect:
Why am I nervous?
Do something that grounds you. A walk, a journal entry, a moment of gratitude. When you operate from a centered place, you stop chasing—and start attracting.
2. Lead With Kindness and Curiosity
Your interviewer is a person—not a gatekeeper, not a checklist.
Maybe they’re overworked. Maybe they opened this job req because they’re buried in tasks. You’re not just being evaluated—you’re being considered as someone who might help relieve that load.
So ask:
“What are the biggest challenges your team is facing right now?”
“What kind of person would be a great fit for your team?”
“What do you enjoy outside of work?”
They’ll appreciate the empathy. And they’ll remember how you made them feel.
Think of it like this: people don’t want to just work with skills.
They want to work with humans. And they want to look forward to solving problems with someone who makes the process better.
3. Problem-Solve Like a Human, Not a Machine
At Tesla—and really, at any cutting-edge company—we don’t hire people who memorize answers.
We hire people who create solutions to problems that didn’t exist yesterday. It’s not about what you know (solving problems history has already figured out) - you’re evaluated on how you think (solving problems of the future).
This means your interview isn’t a test of trivia.
It’s a window into how you:
Think under pressure
Ask clarifying questions
Collaborate when stuck
Stay calm or spiral when things get ambiguous
Here’s an analogy:
Humans evolved past being reactive. We went from running from tigers (avoidant) or fighting them blindly (anxious) to building walls and communicating strategically (secure). That’s the kind of thinker you want to be in an interview—calm, clear, and connected.
And if nerves creep in? Take time beforehand to connect with loved ones. Reflect on how far you’ve come. Practice gratitude. When you walk into the interview with a full cup, you show up in your highest self.
That’s when Maslow’s pyramid comes to life:
You’re safe. Connected. Respected. And ready to create.
4. Change Your Mindset: From "Getting the Job" to "Learning From the Experience"
Stop focusing on the outcome. Focus on the process.
Yes, you want the role. But also:
You’re learning how to interview better.
You’re learning what matters to you.
You’re gaining clarity about your interests and values.
Even rejection brings value—if you reflect.
Take notes. Ask for feedback. Improve.
Pain and discomfort are invitations to grow. You only evolve when you reflect—so you don’t repeat the same mistakes.
If you don’t get the offer, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.
I say that from experience—I went through three final panel interviews at Tesla between 2019 and 2020 before the right alignment finally led to a full-time role. Even before that, it took me over two years during undergrad just to land my first internship interview at Tesla in 2016.
Rejection doesn’t always reflect your ability.
There are always forces at play behind the scenes—budget freezes, internal transfers, sudden reorgs. I’ve experienced all of them, but I’ve also seen it happen from the inside.
What is in your control?
How you show up.
How you learn.
How you keep going.
The right opportunity will come into focus when it’s aligned.
Final Thought: The Stars Align When You Do
So if you’re heading into your final interview—at Tesla or anywhere else—remember this:
You are more than the outcome.
You are more than a performance.
Just show up fully. Give what you can.
And trust that the right fit will feel right—because it will feel like home.
If this helped, consider subscribing for more insights from inside Tesla—and more human reflections on growth, decision-making, and creating value from wherever you are.
You’ve got this.