I Interviewed at OpenAI — Here’s What I Learned.

Ever wondered what it’s like to interview for a job at OpenAI?

I recently went through their hiring process and, while I didn’t make the cut, I walked away with valuable insights. In this article, I’ll share my experience, the types of questions I was asked, and the lessons I learned along the way.

The OpenAI Interview Journey: A Breakdown

OpenAI’s interview process is known for its rigor and unpredictability. It’s not just about coding or system design; it’s about testing how you think, solve problems, and engage with the rapidly evolving field of AI. Here’s a quick overview of the steps I encountered:

1. Recruiter Call (30 minutes)
2. Technical Phone Screen (1 hour)
3. Second Technical Phone Screen / Assessment (1 hour)
4. Onsite (4–6 hours)

Each stage was intense, with the questions becoming progressively more nuanced. I’ll walk you through each step and share the questions I faced, along with tips for anyone looking to tackle this process.

Step 1: Recruiter Call — Setting Expectations