Tesla Hiring Eligibility Calculator
How Likely Are You to Get Hired at Tesla?
This tool helps you assess your eligibility based on Tesla's known hiring policies for people with criminal records. Enter your details to see your likelihood of being hired for specific roles.
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When you're trying to rebuild your life after a conviction, finding a job that actually gives you a real shot matters. Companies like Tesla often come up in these conversations-not because they’re a government agency, but because they’re one of the few big tech manufacturers that seem to value skills over past mistakes. So, does Tesla hire felons? The short answer: Tesla doesn’t have a public policy that automatically rejects applicants with criminal records. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The reality is more layered than yes or no.
How Tesla Handles Background Checks
Tesla doesn’t publish a public list of disqualifying offenses. Unlike some government jobs or financial institutions, they don’t have a blanket ban on hiring people with felony convictions. Their approach leans more toward individual assessment. That means they look at what you were convicted of, when it happened, and whether it connects to the job you’re applying for. For example, someone with a 10-year-old non-violent theft conviction might be considered for a warehouse role. But if you’re applying for a position that involves handling customer payment data or managing company finances, a recent fraud conviction would raise red flags. Tesla’s HR team uses third-party background check services, and they’re required by law to follow the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, which discourage blanket bans on hiring people with criminal records.What Kind of Felonies Might Disqualify You
Not all felonies are treated the same. Tesla tends to focus on three categories:- Violent crimes-assault, battery, robbery, sexual offenses. These are rarely overlooked, especially for roles involving public interaction or safety-critical work like manufacturing or Autopilot testing.
- Fraud or financial crimes-embezzlement, identity theft, credit card fraud. These are major red flags for any role involving money, inventory, or customer data.
- Recent convictions-if your record is less than 3-5 years old, you’ll face more scrutiny. Older records (7+ years) are often viewed as less relevant, especially if you’ve shown consistent employment or community involvement since then.
One former Tesla employee, who served time for a non-violent drug offense 8 years ago, told me he got hired as a technician after passing a background check. He had completed his sentence, earned certifications in electrical systems, and volunteered at a local trade school. That kind of story isn’t rare-it’s just not advertised.
Where You’re More Likely to Get Hired
Your chances improve significantly if you apply for roles that don’t involve direct customer contact or sensitive data. Tesla has several departments where criminal records are less of a barrier:- Manufacturing and assembly line roles-these are high-turnover positions with heavy demand for workers. Many applicants here come from non-traditional backgrounds.
- Warehouse and logistics-handling parts, loading trucks, inventory tracking. These roles focus on physical tasks, not trust-based responsibilities.
- Facilities and maintenance-electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs. If you have trade certifications, your skills often outweigh your record.
- IT support (non-security roles)-help desk, printer troubleshooting, basic network fixes. Avoid roles that mention "cybersecurity" or "data access."
Roles like sales, finance, HR, or engineering that require access to proprietary tech or customer information are much harder to land. Tesla’s engineering teams, in particular, often require security clearances for IP protection, which automatically disqualifies many applicants with criminal records.
How to Improve Your Chances
If you’re serious about working at Tesla with a record, here’s what actually works:- Get your record expunged or sealed-if your state or country allows it. Even if it’s not fully erased, a clean record on paper makes background checks less complicated.
- Build hard skills-Tesla hires for competence. Take free or low-cost courses in electrical systems, welding, or basic coding. Certifications from Coursera, Udemy, or local trade schools show initiative.
- Apply through Tesla’s official career portal-don’t go through recruiters. Tesla’s internal system tracks applications directly, and hiring managers review them without third-party filters.
- Be honest on the application-lying about a conviction is a faster way to get rejected than having one. Tesla’s background check will catch it anyway. But if you explain what happened, what you learned, and how you’ve changed, you can turn it into a strength.
- Start with contract or temp roles-Tesla sometimes hires through staffing agencies for short-term projects. Doing well there can lead to direct hire.
What Tesla Doesn’t Do
It’s important to know what Tesla won’t do:- They don’t have a "ban the box" policy posted on their website (unlike some Fortune 500 companies).
- They don’t offer re-entry programs, job training, or partnerships with reintegration nonprofits.
- They don’t publicly disclose how many people with criminal records they’ve hired.
This makes Tesla harder to navigate than companies like Amazon, Walmart, or Home Depot, which have clear rehire policies and even public success stories. Tesla operates more like a startup with strict operational needs than a social responsibility leader.
Real Stories from People Who Got In
A man in Nevada with a 12-year-old burglary conviction applied for a battery pack assembler role. He had no college degree but had completed a 6-month electrical apprenticeship. He included a one-paragraph note on his application: "I made a mistake. I paid my debt. I’m here to build something better." He was hired within 3 weeks. Another woman in Texas, convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 2018, got a job in Tesla’s Austin service center after earning her HVAC certification. She says her manager told her: "We don’t care about your past. We care if you show up on time, learn fast, and don’t break things." These aren’t outliers. They’re examples of how Tesla’s system works when you meet its real criteria: skill, reliability, and no risk.Alternatives If Tesla Doesn’t Work Out
If you’ve applied and been turned down, or if you feel Tesla’s process is too opaque, here are other companies that are more transparent about hiring people with records:- Amazon-has a formal policy allowing applicants with certain convictions after 7 years.
- Walmart-hires for warehouse and delivery roles with felony records, especially if non-violent.
- Home Depot-open to hiring for warehouse, tool room, and installation roles.
- UPS and FedEx-both hire package handlers with records older than 5 years.
- Local trade unions-electrician, plumbing, and welding apprenticeships often accept applicants with records if they pass drug tests and show commitment.
These companies have clearer paths, written policies, and sometimes even dedicated hiring teams for returning citizens. Tesla doesn’t.
Final Reality Check
Tesla doesn’t hire felons because they’re "good people." They hire them because they need workers, and some of those workers have proven they can do the job. Your record doesn’t define you-but it does affect your odds. The key isn’t hoping Tesla will change its mind. It’s about showing up with skills, consistency, and proof you’ve changed.If you’re serious about working at Tesla, treat it like a technical interview: prepare your resume like a project, your interview like a demo, and your record like a lesson learned. Don’t ask if they’ll hire you. Show them why you’re the best person for the job-even if your past isn’t perfect.
Does Tesla do background checks?
Yes, Tesla uses third-party background check services for all hires. They check criminal history, employment verification, and education claims. The depth of the check depends on the role-higher-level or safety-sensitive positions get more thorough reviews.
Can you get hired at Tesla with a violent felony?
It’s extremely unlikely. Tesla avoids hiring people with recent violent offenses, especially for roles involving public interaction, machinery operation, or team supervision. Even if the conviction is old, the risk of liability is too high for most positions.
How far back does Tesla’s background check go?
Tesla typically checks criminal records going back 7-10 years, depending on local laws. Some states limit how far back employers can look, and Tesla follows those limits. In places with no restrictions, they may review the full record but focus most on the last 5 years.
Should you disclose your record on the application?
Yes. Tesla’s application asks directly about criminal history. Lying can get you fired later-even after you’re hired. If you’re asked to explain, keep it brief: state what happened, take responsibility, and focus on what you’ve done since to rebuild your life.
Do Tesla employees with records face discrimination?
There’s no public data, but anecdotal reports suggest employees with records are treated like anyone else if they perform well. The culture at Tesla is heavily performance-driven. If you deliver results, your past usually doesn’t come up. But if you struggle, some managers may use it as a reason to push you out.