Getting employed at Tesla doesn’t happen overnight. Tesla is a multibillion-dollar company that offers many desirable job opportunities. Due to the reputation of the electric vehicle producer, the competition for positions there is extremely high.
If you’re thinking of applying to Tesla but don’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. This guide will cover the skills and personality traits required to be successful in your job application.
Before you start the application process, it’s important to be aware of the company’s goals, achievements, and history.
Tesla: Company Background
Tesla Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in 2003 as Tesla Motors Inc. The company is named after renowned electric engineer and inventor Nichola Tesla. It produces electric vehicles and other energy-efficient products, such as solar panels and roof tiles.
The company was founded by entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, and is currently led by CEO Elon Musk. Musk is also famous for his space exploration company SpaceX.
As CEO, Musk’s main goals are to increase the popularity of electric cars, promote sustainability, and improve the health of the planet.
Over the years, Tesla has produced 367,500 vehicles and now has 48,016 employees. The company’s annual revenue was $24.5 billion as of 2019.
Tesla revealed its first car called the Roadster in July 2006. Since then, the company has developed many other eco-friendly cars, and launched its first SUV in September 2015. As of December 2020, Tesla’s share price had increased by 700 percent since the beginning of the year.
Currently, Tesla is an industry-leading company with almost no competitors. By getting a job at Tesla, you will have become part of a unique, sustainably innovative team.
What’s It Like to Work at Tesla?
According to numerous Tesla employees, both past and present, working at the company is extremely rewarding. However, most jobs there are very demanding, and you will be expected to give 100 percent.
At Tesla, you will be at the forefront of the future motor industry. A job at the sustainable motor company will also allow for plenty of room to grow your career. Below, we have provided a general description of the work environment at Tesla, as well as some information on Tesla benefits.
Focus on Innovation
Tesla is a futuristic company that believes in sustainable innovation. So, if you are working in the company’s design or marketing departments, you can expect that innovation will be at the core of your tasks.
You will be constantly motivated to think outside the box and generate new ideas. At the same time, you will get to learn about developments in the industry from your co-workers, which is a part of the work atmosphere that many employees rave about.
Benefits
Like most mega-companies, Tesla is also known for offering great benefits and pay. As a Tesla employee, you will get a world-class benefits package. The company provides full insurance coverage, retirement, and 401(k) plans.
The company also offers long and short term disability packages, and a discount on Tesla shares. The company also has programs for tuition reimbursement if you want to further your education. If you get a job at Tesla, you will be well taken care of.
Collaborative Culture
Tesla prides itself on its mentorship programs. Employees are surrounded by others who are at the top of their industry. You will receive support and guidance from your peers that will aid your performance.
Designing, building, and marketing a product is always a collaborative process between many departments. You can expect to collaborate extensively on problem-solving while at work. Former Tesla employees describe the teamwork aspect of their job as positive and exciting.
To succeed at Tesla, you must possess general professional skills, along with a wide variety of other types of skills. Since Tesla uses IT in almost every department, you should be sure to learn the most common skills you need to succeed in tech.
New Technology
Tesla celebrates innovation, and with creativity comes adaptation. As a Tesla employee, you will constantly be adapting to new technology and gadgets. While working for the company, you will be exposed to cutting-edge technology. You will be expected to learn and use new technology to increase your performance.
Employees describe the work environment as flexible, as the company places an emphasis on productivity. You will succeed if you enjoy a fast-paced work culture.
Getting a Job at Tesla
Tesla offers a range of highly specialized job opportunities. Some of these jobs are attainable with just a high school diploma, but others require a master’s degree and extensive experience.
In each position, the company is only looking to hire the best in the industry. For example, if you want to become a machine learning engineer for Tesla, you should first take the necessary machine learning courses to get started.
If you want to join the company’s automobile design department, you might want to learn automobile engineering through a university program.
Then, you must be sure to showcase your best skills on your resume. If you succeed in this aspect, all you will need to do is pass the hiring process and background check.
How Hard Is It to Land a Job at Tesla?
Getting a job at Tesla is very difficult. You’ll need to do everything in your power to make sure your resume stands out. For every job vacancy published on Tesla, the company receives hundreds of thousands of applications.
To make it to the shortlist, you will have to tailor your application to the specific position you are applying to. Thoroughly read all of the requirements and duties of the job, and explain how you are the best fit for them.
You should also review past Tesla interview questions and assessment exams to prepare. Tesla is strict about hiring candidates that share the company’s vision of sustainability and design. You must be sure to emphasize your passion for sustainability and the motor industry in your application.
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Applying for a Job at Tesla
If the sustainable transportation industry interests you, then you should apply to work at Tesla. The vehicle maker recruits globally and lists all available positions on their official website. A Tesla recruiter will contact you if you have made it to the interview round.
Tesla Application and Interview Process
The entire Tesla hiring process takes around two weeks. You can apply either on the company’s website or through job websites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
If you are shortlisted for an interview, the first will usually take place over the phone. If you pass the initial interview, you will be invited for an in-person interview. Then, you will complete written tests on reasoning, aptitude, and technical ability before attending the final interview. This will either be conducted by a hiring manager or a group of managers.
Tesla Career Opportunities: Job Titles and Descriptions
The career opportunities are endless at Tesla. Although the company is primarily a vehicle establishment, it also spans many other industries. To work at Tesla, you have to be highly skilled and have a strong desire to learn new things.
Rooting for sustainability is a huge plus. Below are some of the best jobs available at Tesla.
Product Associate
- Salary: $21 per hour
- Benefits: 401(k) plan, insurance, employee discounts
- Level: Entry
- Required experience: 1 year of relevant work experience
- Required education: High school diploma or associate’s degree
As a product associate, you will be expected to help build exciting and environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. To get the job, you must be technically skilled in building motors. This is an extremely physically demanding job that often requires 12 hours of work per day.
One priority of this job is to promptly identify any faults in a product and work quickly with your team to resolve them.
The requirements for this position are relatively attainable. You must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma. Even though this job is paid by the hour, it comes with great medical and vacation benefits.
Data Analyst
- Salary: $87,872
- Benefits: 401(k) plan, insurance, employee discounts
- Level: Entry
- Required experience: 1 to 2 years of relevant work experience
- Required education: Bachelor’s degree
As a data analyst at Tesla, your primary role will be creating reports using data visualization and analysis. You will help guide the company’s decision-making.
This entry-level position requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in data science, computer programming, or a relevant field. You will also be expected to provide data-based solutions to complex purchasing challenges.
To succeed as a data analyst at Tesla, you must be proficient in programming languages such as SQL and Python. If you are interested in this job but don’t have a programming background, you can enroll in a top coding bootcamp to get started. If you’d rather not pay to learn to code, there are also many resources that will help you learn to code for free.
Full-Stack Web Developer
- Salary: $129,098
- Benefits: 401(k) plan, insurance, employee discounts
- Level: Entry
- Required experience: 2+ years of relevant work experience.
- Required education: Bachelor’s degree
The full-stack developer position at Tesla is very competitive. As a full-stack developer, you will be dedicated to improving the business’s relationship with its customer. Mostly, you will be developing efficient systems meant to optimize the users’ experience.
You will be tasked with monitoring and improving the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designs. If you are unfamiliar with these, you can take UI and UX courses to master these design approaches before you apply.
To succeed in this position, you must have excellent skills in Drupal 7 or 8 and GIT. A background in JavaScript and React.JS will also be essential in this position.
Materials Handler
- Salary: $21 per hour
- Benefits: Insurance, employee discounts
- Level: Entry
- Required experience: 1 to 2 years of relevant work experience
- Required education: High school diploma
As a materials handler at Tesla, you will be expected to stock and organize the warehouse inventory. Your job duties will include locating and acquiring parts from the production line, and operating complex equipment.
Similar to the product associate role, you will also get excellent medical and vacation benefits.
What Does It Take to Get a Job at Tesla?
To get a job at Tesla, you’ll need the right qualifications, experience, and a passion for sustainability. You will have to be highly skilled and have an impressive portfolio to beat out the competition. It is also critical that you get your resume critiqued by a professional and practice for your interviews.
It’s also a good idea to contact Tesla employees for tips and tricks regarding the hiring process. Do everything you can to present yourself in a way that will convince the hiring manager to welcome you into the Tesla family.
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