Want To Work At OpenAI? This Is The One Skill You Must Have, Says ChatGPT Boss

With ChatGPT captivating millions daily, OpenAI has risen to become one of the world’s most valuable companies, now worth $300 billion after its latest funding round. Backed by Microsoft, the AI startup has also become a dream workplace for aspiring talent. But landing a role there isn’t just about technical expertise—it demands a unique mindset.

Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT, shared in a podcast with YouTuber Lenny Rachitsky that one crucial skill stands above all: the ability to “think from scratch.” Since there’s “no analogy” for what OpenAI is building, employees must be able to navigate uncharted territory, invent solutions, and operate without precedent.

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Unlike Google, Instagram, or other productivity tools, OpenAI can’t simply copy existing features, though it can draw inspiration from a wide range of sources. Turley emphasised that this ability to create original solutions while learning from everywhere is a key trait the company looks for—and actively tests—in its interviews.

For the unversed, OpenAI recently launched its latest large language model, GPT-5, which boasts significant improvements over earlier versions in areas such as coding, reasoning, accuracy, health-related queries, and multi-modal capabilities, while also reducing hallucinations and excessive agreeableness. However, the release drew criticism from many users, particularly Plus subscribers, who felt the model lacked the emotional depth of previous AI versions. This prompted CEO Sam Altman to promise that the model’s responses would be made “warmer” after its full rollout.

During a podcast appearance, Turley acknowledged that OpenAI often ships models before they are fully polished, with the intent to refine them based on real-world use. He explained that this “thinking from scratch” philosophy is central to the company’s approach—launching early to learn quickly, even if the initial product feels raw.

Turley stressed that in an environment where a product’s properties are emergent and unpredictable, polishing too much before release risks optimising the wrong aspects. Instead, OpenAI focuses on getting models into users’ hands, gathering feedback, and then refining features that matter most. This iterative process, he suggested, is essential for building innovative AI systems that have no direct precedent.

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