Tesla Careers

Tesla Jobs

Since 2003, the year the Tesla Motors company was established, it has grown into the most recognizable manufacturer of electric cars in the world. It is named after the physicist Nikola Tesla, whose 1882 design of an electric motor has been used to develop the company’s AC motor for the Tesla Roadster. With a lot of firsts and a constant presence in the media, in part due to its larger than life CEO, Elon Musk, and to its beautiful and fast Tesla cars, the company has become a very desirable employer. There are over 100 Tesla jobs available right now, all over the world, from engineering to sales, posted on the Tesla careers page, https://www.tesla.com/careers. Tesla cars are the first to use lithium-ion battery cells and the Tesla Roadster was the first production EV with a range greater than 200 miles (320 km) per charge. Considering that most electric cars had a far lesser range, and didn’t look half as good, this ensured the Tesla Motors company name will go down in history. The company’s mission is to manufacture affordable electric cars, and this alone is reason enough for many to want a Tesla job. Another great reason to want a Tesla career is the fact that they are the first in yet another area: superchargers. As we all know, charging an electric car takes hours at a time. Tesla’s superchargers changed all that, allowing owners to charge their car in minutes. Tesla Motors’ headquarters are located, maybe not coincidentally, in Palo Alto, California, the birth place of another great company, Apple. It has more of a startup culture, as most of the San Francisco companies have, mainly due to Elon Musk’s previous successful endeavors in the field, and maybe this is why so many are interested in Tesla’s employment opportunities.

Tesla Motors seems to be more of a tech company than a car manufacturer, and offers great professional opportunities and competitive salaries. Tesla earnings vary according to position, experience, and, in some cases, by profit disbursement. Musk’s yearly pay is of only $1, just as Steve Jobs’ was. However, Tesla earnings start at $43,000 per year for entry level positions, and go as high as $120,000 or more for engineers.

One would think that a car manufacturer would employ many, but Tesla Motors had only 6,000 employers at the end of 2014. Its business model is different than those of other car manufacturers. The company has its own Tesla dealerships around the world, from U.S.A., to Japan, to many European countries. Tesla’s employment opportunities are great not only for established professionals, but also for those at the start of their careers.  If this is the case for you, you can try Tesla Motors internship opportunities. The number of jobs at Tesla is constantly growing.

Tesla Careers

Being a leader in its field and more of a tech company than anything else, Tesla’s hiring methods are somewhat challenging, for all the jobs at Tesla, as it is the case in most Palo Alto companies. But this does not need to discourage you, for there are a lot of things you can do to get your foot in Tesla’s employment door. There are four ways to approach a Tesla career:

  • By applying online directly on the Tesla careers page, https://www.tesla.com/careers;
  • By applying online on various job websites where recruiters advertise Tesla jobs;
  • By a Tesla worker’s referral;
  • By being headhunted.

The best option of the four is to be headhunted, of course. To startle the interest of Tesla Motors you need to be in the top 10% of a field they are interested in, such as engineering, and to have a very good LinkedIn profile. This might surprise people, but you need to know that many great companies use this platform to search the best candidates. Headhunting also means that you are in the position to negotiate, since the company is already interested in you and thinks you will be a great fit for their needs. But, since few of us will ever get the chance to go through such a recruitment process for Tesla careers or other, you will most likely need to begin it yourself.

The second best option is to apply to Tesla jobs through a referral. If you know someone at Tesla Motors and they are willing to refer you for a Tesla job, you should definitely try it. Most companies prefer to hire people who are already known by their employees. In addition to that, recruiters usually receive a great number of resumes and yours will surely be easier to remember if it comes through someone they already know.

If this option is not available to you, there is always the traditional path: applying directly for the Tesla job you want. The best way to do this is to use the Tesla careers page and fill the online jobs and employment form. There you will find all the job openings, and you can choose the field you are interested in. There are many Tesla careers like sales, engineering, design, manufacturing, legal, service, marketing, or communications.

Once you selected your desired jobs at Tesla field, you will see all the available Tesla jobs it has to offer. Aside from the position’s title, you will also see where it is located. Some Tesla jobs are located at the Tesla’s headquarter, while other Tesla Motors jobs are in Seattle, or Fremont, or even in Japan or Sweden. When you choose what Tesla career you want to pursue, think whether you also want to relocate, and if you want to live in that city or country. During the interviews, the recruiters will want to know your thoughts on the matter, as you will find out in another section of this article.

Now that you have selected your Tesla job of choice, you will be directed to its dedicated page, where you can begin the application online. There is a lot of information you need to read carefully, to find out if you actually are a good fit. Carefully read the job description, the requirements and the qualifications needed in order for your job application to be considered. As you will see, the information is as clear and short as it can be which will make it easier for you to make a proper assessment.

If you found the Tesla jobs you want, simply click the “Apply for this position” red button in the left bottom corner of the page. You will be redirected to a new page, where you will need to fill out your personal and professional information. The first things you will notice are two buttons:

  • One button for uploading your resume, which will then pre-fill the application form;
  • One button for allowing access to your LinkedIn profile, which you should definitely click. As you already read, LinkedIn is their favorite tool to find new employees.

You will now need to register your email address and choose a password in order to create an account. Once you have done so, go through the application form and fill all the needed information. If you already uploaded your resume, most of the information will already be filled. However, check it again and make the necessary corrections. Another important thing you will need to do is to upload a cover letter. If you really want a Tesla career you need to have a very good one, so take the time you write it.

After completing all these steps, and clicking all the boxes, you can now submit your Tesla job application. As you know, getting an answer might take a while, for all jobs at Tesla, so all you can do now is to wait and to prepare for the possibility of an interview for Tesla careers. You can check your application status by logging into your new Tesla account.

Minimum Age for Tesla Careers

The minimum age one has to be in order to access any Tesla employment opportunities is 18. But, since we are talking about a tech startup-like company, it might not be unusual for the recruiters to go after younger geniuses for their Tesla Motors jobs, if that might be the case. However, Tesla careers begin at 18 the soonest.

Tesla Hours of Operations

As you might have guessed it, the hours of operations differ from one Tesla career to another and from one Tesla location to another. If the position is in Tesla’s Fremont factory, the hours of operation are Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If the Tesla Motors jobs are in one of Tesla’s dealerships, the program is usually from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Other Tesla jobs may require longer work hours, especially if they are located at the Tesla headquarter. Several former employees have complained along the years about this. Some say that 50 to 60 hours of work per week are common when it comes to Tesla careers, others say that some employees needed to work 80 hours per week to meet the expectations. But this is not uncommon in Palo Alto companies, and an 80 hour work week is the norm for Tesla’s own CEO, Elon Musk. If you are considering a Tesla employment opportunity, take this into consideration.

Entry Level Tesla Careers and Income

Even if not all Tesla jobs are in engineering, most of the Tesla jobs require some kind of technical skills or another, or at least a deep understanding of their field. As you might suspect, the easiest way to start a Tesla career is to apply for a Tesla Motors internship. The company offers Tesla Motors jobs for interns in many areas, from engineering, to IT. Tesla Motors careers for interns are usually advertised in university campuses and at career fairs.

If you are looking for Tesla jobs appropriate for new college grads, you have quite a few options like Charging Experience Specialist or Inside Sales Advisor.

Tesla Charging Experience Specialist Job Description and Duties

A Charging Experience Specialist is responsible for the customer experience at Tesla Charging locations, managing onsite demand. Other duties of this specialist include the understanding of customer feedback, and conducting field research. Of course, the Charging Experience Specialist is also responsible for the education of customers on Tesla products and services, including optimal charging options.

To be considered for this Tesla employment opportunity, you need a great interpersonal skills, adaptability to the constantly evolving external factors and internal guidance, and an enthusiastic attitude. You should know that the responsibilities of these Tesla Motors jobs may change over time, and that this position requires a great deal of flexibility.

The requirements needed for this Tesla hiring opportunity are, according to their official website, https://www.tesla.com/careers:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • A previous customer facing experience of at least 1 year
  • Great verbal and written communication skills
  • A highly motivated and goal-oriented personality
  • Creative thinking
  • The ability to deal with and resolve issues quickly and independently
  • An entrepreneurial way of accomplishing tasks
  • The ability to understand and convey business issues and technical concepts
  • The ability to build and maintain strong working relationships
  • The ability to work evenings and weekends
  • A valid driver’s license and a safe driving record
  • Legal right to work in the United States

Tesla Motors Charging Experience Specialist Salary and Compensation

Since this is usually a part time Tesla job, the salary will vary according to the number of hours. Nonetheless, according to all major salary websites, the lowest hourly pay is around $20, which may add up to over $43,000 per year for a full time position, or around $21,000 per year for a part time Tesla employment.

Tesla Careers in Management

There are many Tesla hiring opportunities for those who seek a management position. Form engineering, to marketing, to sales, all departments need great leaders. In the engineering field, for example, Tesla is seeking Engineering Program Managers, Embedded Systems Engineering Manager for Charging, Embedded Systems Engineering Manager for BMS, and a Powertrain Senior Engineering Equipment Manager. There are many other Tesla Motor jobs openings, as you can see on the Tesla careers website, https://www.tesla.com/careers.

Tesla Motors Engineering Program Manager Job Description and Duties

The Engineering Program Manager will be a part of the engineering and development team and will be responsible for executing a broad range of oversight, tracking, and management goals. Some of the essential duties will be to collaborate with engineering leads and other managers to set goals and track results, to communicate the requirements between supply chain and purchasing to facilitate material planning, to execute reviews on risks and opportunities.

The skills and qualifications needed to apply for this Tesla job are, according to their official website, https://www.tesla.com/careers:

  • 5+ years of experience in product development;
  • Knowledge of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software development processes;
  • Experience in planning activities and vendor management;
  • The ability to understand complex development projects and identify critical elements;
  • Detail oriented;
  • Strong record-keeping and organizational skills;
  • A Bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Tesla Engineering Program Manager Salary and Compensation

The salary of an Engineering Program Manager is, in this company’s case, is 20% above the national average. The salary for these Tesla careers start at $137,000 per year, and goes as high as $142,000 per year. In general, Tesla Motors careers offer salaries are higher than the national average.

Basic Tips for Applying at Tesla 

As you have read in the Tesla Motors careers application section of this article, there is something you can do to ensure you have a good chance during Tesla’s hiring process. The first thing you can do is to make sure you have a good LinkedIn profile. You should do this regardless of the position you want to apply for. Since Tesla’s recruiters prefer to use this platform in their quest for great employees, you should make the most of it.

Another thing you can do is to tailor your resume according to the position’s requirements. This doesn’t mean you have to embellish your work experience, but it does mean you have to concentrate on those jobs which are most relevant.

The basic tips are the same as in any other job application process:

  • Make sure you give all the correct information you are required.
  • Only apply to those Tesla locations you are interested in. If you don’t want to move to another country, it makes no sense to apply for a position in Japan.
  • Spell your email address correctly.
  • Make sure your phone number is correct.
  • Verify your email address for any emails you might receive about your application.

Benefits at Tesla 

As you might expect, the company offers all the standard benefits, like vacation and paid time off, and medical and dental insurance. The number of vacation and paid time off is 15 per year, though many employees say that it is relatively hard to use them all, due to the work load. In addition to these, Tesla also offers other perks, depending on the position, such as a new cell phone and phone plan coverage, and stock options at a slight discount.

If you expect the benefits and perks to be at the level of other tech companies from the same area, you should know this is not the case. But they do offer great salaries in return.

Tesla Careers Interview Tips & Hiring Process Information

The Tesla hiring process is not more complicated than those of other big companies. It usually takes a few weeks to complete it, and sometimes it may even last for 2 months, so you need to be patient. Being a high profile company, and in continuous development, there are many who would like to work there, which usually means that the recruiters have a great deal of resumes to go through, and this is one of the reasons you might not be contacted as fast as you would like.

The work environment is highly demanding and competitive, so you should expect Tesla’s hiring process to be the same. The most important thing you have to know is the fact that they are looking for highly enthusiastic employees. This is one of the main things that make someone a desired employee, apart from the needed work experience and qualifications.

The first step is for your cover letter to help the recruiters understand that you are enthusiastic, with an entrepreneurial mind set, and that you are able to perform independently, having the company’s best interest at heart. Another thing that sets candidates apart is their knowledge about the company and its products. Most people skip this much needed research, although this can make or break an interview. Make sure you know all the latest news about Tesla, and that you know what makes it such a unique car manufacturer.

To sum it up, these are a few tips to make you shine during your Tesla interview:

  • Smile;
  • Be energetic;
  • Speak with enthusiasm, but at a normal pace;
  • Don’t interrupt;
  • Give complex answers to questions. Try to limit one word answers as much as possible;
  • Be sure of the things you know and speak confidently about the things you have done;
  • Ask questions. This is one of the things the recruiters look for the most, candidates who ask relevant questions about the position they have applied;
  • Make eye contact. It might be hard during the first minutes, but it is a sign of both respect and self confidence.

Frequently Asked Tesla Interview Questions

You might be surprised to know that they rarely ask technical questions about their products. Since they pride themselves to be pioneers in many aspects of electric cars manufacturing, they don’t necessarily expect people interested in Tesla Motors careers to know such details. The most common interview questions during a Tesla interview are:

  • Why do you want to work at Tesla? This could be the most important answer you will have to give during the interview. They are looking for people passionate about the company’s mission, people who want to change the world for the better, so make sure you have a good and sincere answer.
  • Tell me about your experience with your past job. Here you should highlight your accomplishments, and how you contributed to the company’s main goal.
  • What was the culture at your last job?
  • What can you tell me about your availability?
  • What could you contribute to Tesla from you position?

Try and refrain from giving cliché interview answers. Instead speak openly about your previous experience and your reasons for choosing Tesla Motors careers. If you are passionate about Tesla cars, this will surely help you.

Official site: www.tesla.com

Official career site: https://www.tesla.com/careers

For more interesting and popular career applications:

Morgan Stanley Application

PepsiCo Application

Panera Bread Application

Giant Eagle Application