When you think of job interviews with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, you might imagine tough questions about engineering or business strategy. But according to the New York Post, there’s one question Musk has been asking since 2017 that’s both simple and surprisingly effective at spotting liars. The question is: “Tell me about some of the most difficult problems you worked on and how you solved them.”

At first glance, this might seem like a standard interview question, but it’s actually part of a clever strategy. Musk uses this question to dig deeper into a candidate’s experience, and it turns out that it’s great at separating the truth-tellers from the liars. Now, research has confirmed that Musk’s method works.

This question falls under a technique called ‘Asymmetric Information Management’ (AIM). The AIM technique is designed to help interviewers spot lies by encouraging candidates to share detailed stories about their experiences. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, this approach works because truthful people tend to provide more detailed answers, while liars often keep their responses vague.

So why does this work? People who are telling the truth are usually confident in their experiences and have no problem sharing the specifics. They might talk about the challenges they faced, the steps they took to solve a problem, and the results they achieved. On the other hand, liars often think that saying less will help them avoid getting caught, so they give vague or brief answers. But according to Cody Porter, one of the study’s authors, this strategy backfires. “Small details are the lifeblood of investigations,” Porter explains. “If someone gives a detailed answer, it’s easier to tell if they’re lying or telling the truth.”

Musk’s approach isn’t just about catching liars, though. He’s also looking for proof of what he calls “exceptional ability.” He uses this question to see if candidates really have the skills and experience they claim. If someone can talk in detail about how they solved a difficult problem, it’s a good sign that they’re capable of doing the same in the future.

Musk has always been known for pushing the boundaries, whether it’s with electric cars, space travel, or even how he interviews potential employees. His simple yet effective interview question is just another example of how he’s not afraid to do things differently. So, if you ever find yourself in an interview with Musk—or anyone else for that matter—remember this tip: be ready to dive into the details, because it might just be the key to landing the job.

And who knows? You might even impress the man himself with your honesty and problem-solving skills. After all, in the world of Elon Musk, it’s the details that matter most.

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