OpenAI product manager Ty Geri outlined key strategies for securing a position at the AI lab in interviews with Business Insider and Yahoo Finance. Geri, who joined OpenAI in 2025, emphasized enthusiasm for the company’s mission and willingness to engage with its tools as critical factors in hiring decisions.
Geri’s guidance applies broadly across roles, including engineering, research, product management, and data science. He highlighted OpenAI’s emphasis on “building in public”, a practice where employees share ongoing work to invite feedback and collaboration. This approach contrasts with traditional models of isolated development, where projects are completed before public review.
Technical expectations and recruitment methods were also discussed. Sundeep Teki, a career coach specializing in AI talent placement, noted that OpenAI’s technical interviews are among the most rigorous in the industry. Teki advised candidates to prepare thoroughly and maintain an active GitHub profile, as OpenAI has recruited candidates based on public contributions. Additionally, a former OpenAI intern suggested a strategy of “go broad, specialize, and build”, while another employee credited a cold LinkedIn message for securing their role.
Geri described OpenAI’s culture as one that prioritizes experimentation and iterative progress, even when outcomes are uncertain. He acknowledged the stress of this approach but framed it as part of the company’s collaborative ethos. “It definitely stresses me out,” Geri said, “but I think it’s part of the fun.” The company’s willingness to embrace “big swings”—even if initial attempts fall short—reflects its broader tolerance for risk and innovation.
For those aiming to join OpenAI, Geri’s advice centers on three pillars: aligning with the mission, actively using and improving its products, and demonstrating a hands-on approach to problem-solving. The company’s hiring process, he noted, rewards curiosity and resilience over polished, finalized outputs.
What OpenAI Looks for in Candidates
OpenAI seeks individuals who:
- Demonstrate deep passion for artificial intelligence and its societal impact
- Engage directly with its tools, even in early or imperfect stages
- Share work publicly to invite feedback and collaboration
- Embrace experimentation, including high-risk, high-reward projects
Preparing for OpenAI’s Hiring Process
Candidates are advised to:
- Study rigorously for technical interviews, which are noted for their difficulty
- Maintain a public GitHub profile to showcase contributions
- Experiment with OpenAI’s products and integrate them into workflows
- Network proactively, including through cold outreach on professional platforms