Job-seeking at OpenAI? An novice employee discloses interview tactics for success
In a recent eight-page post, Bas van Opheusden, a new member of OpenAI's technical staff, shared valuable strategies for excelling in AI interviews.
According to van Opheusden, treating recruiter calls like strategic mission briefings can be beneficial. During these calls, candidates can gather detailed information about the hiring manager, team dynamics, role expectations, and company goals. It's essential to take comprehensive notes during these calls, ideally using a dual-monitor setup to appear engaged while capturing all vital information.
Van Opheusden also emphasizes the importance of a clear, structured approach during the technical round. Candidates should solve problems step-by-step with clear articulation of their thought process and reasoning, showing a logical structure in their approach.
When it comes to compensation discussions, van Opheusden advises researching industry pay standards beforehand and not hesitating to advocate for fair terms. He warns against rushing compensation decisions.
Van Opheusden also highlights the need for candidates to be prepared for schedule changes, tight turnaround times, or occasional lapses in communication that are common in the tech hiring landscape. Maintaining an organized, distraction-free workspace and tools is crucial for smooth remote interviews.
These insights come from van Opheusden's recent guide, published after joining OpenAI in July 2025. The post includes details about coding tactics, negotiating offers, and the less flattering side of recruitment.
One of the biggest personal missteps van Opheusden made was failing to take notes during the initial recruiter call, which caused confusion later. He advises candidates not to make the same mistake.
In conclusion, van Opheusden's tips provide a comprehensive guide for those preparing for AI interviews at OpenAI or elsewhere in the tech industry. By following these strategies, candidates can increase their chances of success and secure their dream job.
Leveraging technology can help candidates maintain an organized and distraction-free workspace for smooth remote interviews, as suggested by van Opheusden. Furthermore, embracing education-and-self-development and career-development opportunities involves researching industry pay standards before compensation discussions, shown by van Opheusden's advice.
