OpenAI has introduced a new hiring stage called the mission interview, currently being piloted for candidates applying to marketing and human resources roles. This dedicated interview slot requires applicants to explain how their professional contributions will advance the company's goal of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.
Previously, mission alignment was primarily a focus for engineering and research candidates. By extending this requirement to non-technical teams, OpenAI aims to ensure that staff members responsible for public communication and internal culture are aligned with its core objectives. The company expects candidates to provide thoughtful perspectives on AGI-related concerns.
The pilot coincides with a period of significant recruitment for the organization. As of October 6, 2026, OpenAI had 821 open positions listed, with a median advertised salary of $308 000. The company is currently evaluating the effectiveness of this screening process to determine if it should be expanded to other non-technical departments.
