Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s favourite ‘time-tested’ job interview question, says can be a good ‘lie-detector’ test

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has revealed his favourite go-to job interview question: A seemingly straightforward query that he claims can be a powerful lie detector tool. According to a report in the New York Post, during the 2017 World Government Summit, Tesla and Spacex CEO Musk admitted to asking all potential employees, “Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them.”

Test is based on a psychological principle

Musk’s method is reported to be rooted in a psychological principle known as Asymmetric Information Management (AIM).According to Applied Cognitive Psychology, the AIM approach “enhances verbal lie-detection by encouraging truth-tellers (but not liars) to be forthcoming with information.”
This means that encouraging candidates to elaborate on their challenges, the technique aims to expose those who might be fabricating their experiences. Research suggests that honest individuals tend to provide rich, detailed accounts, while liars often offer vague or generic responses.
The report further claims that Musk’s approach also aligns with findings from a recent study that emphasised the importance of minute details in uncovering deception. According to the research, liars often withhold information to avoid detection, making their responses appear less credible when examined closely. .
While Musk’s primary goal is to identify dishonest candidates, he says that his ultimate aim is to seek exceptional talent. By delving into past challenges, he wants to hire individuals with a proven track record of problem-solving and innovation.