Pabst Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was pretty straightforward. I had to video myself answering questions then submit them. I never actually talked to someone during the interview process which wasn’t enjoyable for me. I prefer having a genuine conversation than reading prompts and answering.

The first interview with the hiring manager was super chill, more like just chatting than a real interview. He said he'd move me to the next steps, which would take a couple weeks to set up. But then, like, 2.5 months later, after I kept emailing them and they gave excuses like "holding patterns and other issues," I asked again and found out they'd already hired someone else that week. It's not that I didn't get the job, it's that I never really got a fair chance. If you like someone, move them forward, don't just say it. And they should tell people they weren't hired, not make the candidate chase them for 2.5 months and then find out that way.

The interview process was pretty straightforward compared to others. It's usually done online, but you can also do it in person in San Francisco. It takes about 4 to 6 hours spread over 1 or 2 days and you'll meet with 4 to 6 interviewers. They do technical interviews focusing on problem-solving, coding, and system design. There are also behavioral interviews to check how you collaborate, communicate, and if you fit with OpenAI's values. You might also have to give a presentation on something relevant or a project you did. They really care about how well your solutions are designed, the quality of your code, how it performs, if it's tested, and your overall approach to solving problems. They're looking for people who are experts or have a lot of potential and can learn fast. Teamwork and communication are super important, and they want you to really understand and be committed to OpenAI's mission. You usually hear back within a week after the final interviews. They might ask for references too.

This was a really in-depth and honest interview to make sure I was the right fit and understood what I was getting into. The managers met with me and explained the role's day-to-day responsibilities and also what career paths could be possible after this position. It was very casual, and I'd recommend going in with confidence, ready for a conversation.