Elon Musk on the personality trait that he didn't value earlier during hiring interviews, but is very important for him now

Elon Musk has said that one of the biggest mistakes he made while hiring in the past was not giving enough importance to a person’s character. Speaking during a recent podcast conversation, Musk admitted that he earlier focused heavily on resumes, big company names, and technical ability. Over time, the tech billionaire said, experience taught him that these factors alone do not predict success. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said he now places much greater value on trustworthiness and “goodness of heart” when judging candidates.


During the interview, Elon Musk explained that while skills can be learned, personal values and integrity matter far more in the long run, especially in high-pressure workplaces.

Elon Musk: Resumes don’t always tell the full story

Musk said he has often been impressed by candidates who came from well-known companies like Google or Apple, only to later find that they were not a good fit. He described this as falling for “pixie dust,” where a strong résumé creates unrealistic expectations.


The Tesla CEO said he no longer relies heavily on paper credentials. Instead, he focuses on direct conversations with candidates. According to Musk, if a discussion does not feel impressive within 20 minutes, the résumé should not override that impression.


“I think goodness of heart is important,” he said, adding that he did not value it enough earlier in his career. He now looks for people who are trustworthy, hardworking, and capable, and believes technical knowledge can be added later if the foundation is right.


The tech billionaire revealed that he now looks for clear proof of exceptional ability rather than vague claims. He asks candidates to share specific examples—sometimes unusual ones—that show outstanding achievement.


He said even one strong example can matter, but multiple examples that make him say “wow” are a strong signal that a person stands out.


Despite all the discussion around hiring, Musk said his final judgment is straightforward.


“If somebody gets things done, I love them,” he said. “If they don’t, I hate them.”


For Musk, results still matter—but today, they matter most when paired with trust, integrity, and character.