Want job at OpenAI? A new hire shares secrets to crack the interview

Bas van Opheusden, who has recently joined OpenAI’s technical staff a few months back, has offered some rare and unknown facts about the realities of landing a role in one of the world’s most competitive AI environments. Taking to X, Opheusden wrote an eight-page post about the detailed strategies for excelling in interviews and one oversight he still regrets.

It includes details about everything from coding tactics to negotiating offers, while also highlighting the less flattering side of recruitment. He also cautioned that some hiring processes can be deliberately high-pressure with short deadlines, rescinded offers, or even complete radio silence. “Some recruiters will play dirty,” he warns, advising candidates to stay alert and respond strategically.

Also read: AI startup Perplexity offers whopping $34.5 bn to buy Google Chrome browser, here’s why

As per his post, he stated that the biggest personal misstep came during the very first recruiter call, a stage he now calls a phase zero of the interview process. The initial conversation often reveals vital details such as prospective team, reporting structure, company priorities, and salary expectations. He stated that he failed to take notes during the screening, which left him scrambling weeks later when asked about the role he was looking for.

He advises the people to set up a dual monitor, one screen for the video call and the other for live notes, positioned to maintain the appearance of eye contact. “This might be your first and only glimpse at the org chart, don’t waste it,” he advises.

He also advised the job seekers to research market pay ranges before negotiations, not to be afraid to slow down the process if deadlines feel rushed, and to approach coding interviews with a clear, structured problem-solving method. He also stresses organised tools and workflows.

For the aspiring AI hires, his message is clear: the interview process starts well before the first technical question is asked, and success often hinges on what you capture in those earliest moments.

Here are the tips for landing a role at OpenAI, as suggested by Bas van Opheusden:

• Treat the recruiter call like a mission briefing – Gather intel on the hiring manager, team setup, role expectations, and company objectives.
• Take detailed notes – Use a second screen or notepad to document everything during conversations.
• Be ready for recruiter curveballs – Expect tight deadlines, sudden changes, or gaps in communication.
• Negotiate smartly – Research market pay ranges and push back if decisions feel rushed.
• Nail the technical round – Clearly structure your problem-solving and explain your reasoning out loud.
• Keep your tools in order – Maintain an organised, distraction-free setup for smooth remote interviews.