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

At first glance, this may seem like a common 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 pretty good at separating truth tellers from 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 give more detailed answers, while liars often keep their answers vague.

So why does this work? People who are telling the truth are generally confident in their experiences and have no problem sharing details. They can talk about challenges they’ve faced, steps they’ve taken to solve a problem, and results they’ve achieved. Liars, on the other hand, 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. “Tiny details are the lifeblood of an investigation,” Porter explains. “If someone gives detailed answers, it’s easier to tell if they’re lying or telling the truth.”

However, Musk’s approach is not just to catch liars. He is also looking for evidence of “extraordinary ability.” He uses this question to see if candidates really have the skills and experience they claim. If a person can explain in detail how he solved a difficult problem, it’s a good sign that he is capable of doing so in the future.

Musk is known for always pushing the boundaries, whether it’s in terms of electric cars, space travel, or even interviewing potential employees. His simple but effective interview question is 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, remember this tip: be prepared to dive into the details, because it could be the key to getting the job.

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