What can you learn from Elon Musk’s resume?
When it comes to fame, few can hold a candle to Elon Musk. He’s been hailed as a visionary futurist whose business accomplishments are second to none. His innovative approach to business has enabled him to succeed in a wide range of industries – from electric vehicles to satellite internet and space travel.
With all of that, have you ever wondered what Elon Musk’s resume would look like if he were trying to find a job?
We found ourselves wondering the same thing, so we asked one of our resume writers to develop a resume that would highlight Elon’s resume achievements, skills, and unique value proposition. We’ve included that resume for your consideration, as well as some interesting highlights about Elon Musk’s life and career path.
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Elon Musk’s resume:
Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that Elon Musk is a cultural icon with a career that will go down in history. From selling his first video game for $500 at the age of 12 to shooting his cherry red Tesla Roadster into Martian orbit and inspiring Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Tony Stark in the "Iron Man" films, Musk continuously pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a modern-day entrepreneur – while sparking controversy along the way.
Elon was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. He moved to Canada with his mother, brother, and sister at 17 and spent two years studying at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, before finishing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania and graduating with a degree in physics and economics.
After graduating, Musk had intended to get his doctorate at Stanford University but left school after two days in the program to pursue his entrepreneurial goals and passions.
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His early startups
Musk’s decision to leave college kick-started his decades-long career of founding and leading multiple tech companies and startups. Some of the earliest companies included Zip2 and X.com, an online banking company that partnered with Confinity to create PayPal.
Musk became the CEO of PayPal with the intention of making sweeping changes to the company. However, he soon discovered that the company’s board had different plans. Eventually, the board members removed him from his leadership role while he was vacationing in Australia. Nevertheless, Musk still benefited greatly when the company was taken over by eBay several years later.
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To the stars!
Musk then created his company SpaceX, which has since become an important partner for the nation’s space program. His focus on revolutionizing the aerospace industry launched a whole new era of space travel as his company now pursues his longtime goal of sending astronauts to Mars – with plans to eventually colonize the Red Planet.
His leadership has helped SpaceX make rapid advancements in technology and achievements. The company has successfully launched satellites into orbit, landed and recovered rockets, and even rescued NASA astronauts who had been stranded on the International Space Station.
Oh, and if that’s not enough, SpaceX has also launched its Starlink high-speed satellite internet service, with a goal of providing rapid internet connection to every single corner of the globe.
Electric cars and so much more
Musk became an early investor in Tesla and formed the idea for SolarCity. In the 2010s, Musk founded and co-founded three companies: OpenAI, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, the last of which is creating a network of tunnels under and around cities for high-speed, no-traffic driving.
Never content to rest on his laurels, Musk then turned his attention to social media. After public outcry about online censorship on Twitter, Elon eventually purchased the platform and eliminated the former censorship regime.
Musk is currently the richest person in the world and remains one of its most controversial. In addition to his many business ventures, he’s taken an interest in government efficiency. According to him, his goal is to help make the U.S. government less wasteful in the hopes of reducing federal spending and the nation’s budget deficit. Like everything else he’s done in his life, that lofty goal has been met with both cheers and jeers.
Elon Musk’s resume offers valuable lessons
Elon Musk’s life has been a unique journey that makes for a compelling story. It’s no wonder that Elon Musk’s resume is equally compelling. That resume is also a great example of how any job seeker should approach their own resume narrative – by focusing on vital skills, experiences, and achievements that offer real value to prospective employers.
Do you need a resume that’s as powerful as Elon Musk’s resume? Why not get your free resume review from our team of experts today?
This article was originally written by Danielle Elmers and has been updated by Ken Chase.
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During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd.
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