Practice 30 Tesla internship interview questions covering innovation, technical aptitude, and mission alignment.
Question 23 of 30
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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Most leading companies in any industry understand that to foster innovation to compete in an ever-changing world, talent needs to be drawn across boundaries. This requires everyone within their organization to have a high degree of cultural competence. Diversity questions are one way to determine your cultural competence.
What they'll be looking for is less of what example you'll answer with, and more so how you answer. A person who doesn't feel comfortable when immersed in a culturally diverse environment might have difficulty navigating this question. They might stammer, and struggle to find the right words. Whereas, a person who has experience with, and no difficulty being immersed in a culturally rich environment working with people from all walks of life, will have no trouble navigating this question with ease.

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
When discussing diversity, focus on a general acceptance of the human experience and the sensitivities of those from underrepresented communities. When discussing inclusion, demonstrate empathy and acceptance. On even the most inherently human level, we are all driven by the same basic needs and the same unifying experiences. Focus on the unifiers of diversity. Communicate clearly and decisively. The last thing you want to do is come across as uncomfortable or out of your element when answering this question. Speak sincerely about your open-mindedness, and being a universally inclusive person.

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"At one point in college, I worked at a store in a very diverse neighborhood. That was a pretty exciting experience in that everyone from different walks of life worked under one roof. It was probably the most dynamic and innovative crew I've ever worked with. Everything was outside of the box. We were a pretty great team. I still swing by and take the time to say hello when I'm in the area."

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Written by Kevin Downey
30 Questions & Answers • Tesla

By Kevin

By Kevin