Preparing for an interview at The Uncommon Business requires a balance of technical execution, operational strategy, and deep self-reflection. We do not just look at your resume; we look at how you think, how you react to pressure, and how you incorporate feedback in real time.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a strong command of data management and administrative execution. This means being highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and possessing the ability to translate raw data into actionable operational insights.

Problem-Solving Ability – You will be evaluated on how you structure ambiguous challenges. When faced with logistical bottlenecks or tight deadlines, you must show that you can build structured project plans, anticipate risks, and make decisions that protect our core mission.

Tenacity and Receptiveness to Feedback – We value growth mindsets. During your interviews, expect to be challenged on your answers. Interviewers will push you to justify your decisions or self-correct. Your ability to take this feedback constructively is a major hiring signal.

Mission Alignment – Passion is a non-negotiable requirement. You must be able to articulate why our educational mission matters to you personally. Candidates who possess all the technical skills but lack a genuine connection to our community and vision will not be successful.

The hiring process for the Project Manager position at The Uncommon Business is designed to be highly realistic, rigorous, and transparent. It mimics the fast-paced, task-filled nature of the actual job, allowing both you and the hiring team to evaluate if this is the right mutual fit. The process typically spans several weeks and consists of both remote screening and intensive on-site evaluations.

The journey begins with an initial application review, which often includes a few short-answer questions. If your background aligns, you will proceed to an initial screen, which may be a brief phone call or a structured, pre-recorded video interview. This stage focuses on your background, your interest in The Uncommon Business, and your high-level communication skills. From there, successful candidates are invited to our signature Immersion Day.

The Immersion Day is an intensive, multi-hour on-site experience at one of our school locations. During this day, you will complete a series of live work samples on a laptop, participate in role-plays, and sit for formal panel interviews with school leadership. It is designed to be challenging and exhausting, but it provides an unparalleled look into our daily operations and vibrant culture.

The timeline above outlines the standard progression from your initial application to the final offer. Most candidates complete this process within 4 to 7 weeks, depending on school schedules and location. Use this visual guide to pace your preparation, ensuring you allocate ample time to practice technical tasks before your Immersion Day.

To pass the Immersion Day and secure an offer, you must demonstrate excellence across four core competency areas. Each area is tested through specific, hands-on tasks during your on-site interview.

Excel & Data Analysis

As a Project Manager, you will constantly manage student, staff, and operational data. You must be able to manipulate spreadsheets quickly and accurately to draw meaningful conclusions.

Be ready to go over:

• Pivot Tables – Summarizing large datasets to identify trends in attendance, grading, or enrollment.
• VLookup & Index/Match – Merging disparate data sheets to create unified operational reports.
• Conditional Formatting – Highlighting critical data points (e.g., failing grades or low attendance) for rapid leadership review.
• Applied Statistics – Interpreting basic statistical trends to help school directors make data-informed decisions.

Example scenarios:

• "Given a raw dataset of student test scores across five campuses, create a pivot table that shows the average score by grade level and use conditional formatting to highlight classrooms performing below the target threshold."
• "Merge a parent contact sheet with an attendance roster using VLookups to identify which parents need to be contacted regarding student absences."

Operational Prioritization & Crisis Management

Our schools are dynamic environments where plans must frequently change in real time. You must show that you can maintain composure and make logical decisions when everything happens at once.

Be ready to go over:

• The "Children First" Framework – Making decisions that prioritize student safety and academic integrity above all else.
• Stakeholder Triaging – Balancing the immediate needs of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.
• Resource Allocation – Managing limited administrative resources and staff time during high-stress operational windows.

Example scenarios:

• "It is 7:30 AM on the day of a major state exam. The bus company reports a delay, two teachers have called in sick, and the printer copy machine is jammed. Outline your exact order of operations to resolve these issues."
• "You are planning an evening parent event and realize at the last minute that the catering order was lost. How do you handle this while ensuring the event still runs smoothly?"

Written Communication & Event Planning

You will represent the school's voice to external stakeholders, particularly families. Your writing must be professional, warm, clear, and culturally accessible.

Be ready to go over:

• Parental Correspondence – Writing letters that translate complex school policies into clear, empathetic, and actionable instructions for families.
• Event Blueprinting – Designing end-to-end plans for school events, including budgeting, scheduling, volunteer coordination, and sign-up mechanics.
• Sign-Up & Logistics Design – Creating foolproof systems for family participation, such as parent-teacher conference scheduling.

Example scenarios:

• "Draft a letter to parents explaining a sudden change in the school dismissal time due to an upcoming teacher professional development day."
• "Create a comprehensive project plan for an upcoming school enrollment fair, including the pre-event marketing, day-of logistics, and post-event follow-up."

Receptiveness to Feedback & Self-Reflection

We believe that constant improvement is key to our success. Your interviewers will intentionally critique your work samples during the Immersion Day to see how you respond.

Be ready to go over:

• Active Listening – Hearing constructive criticism without becoming defensive or making excuses.
• Justification vs. Adaptability – Knowing when to logically defend your operational choices and when to eagerly adopt a better approach.
• Self-Reflection – Articulating what you would do differently if given the chance to redo a task.

Example scenarios:

• "An interviewer reviews your event plan and points out a major logistical flaw in your parent drop-off zone. How do you respond and modify your plan in real time?"
• "After completing your Excel test, you are asked to self-reflect on your performance. How do you evaluate your own work and identify areas for personal growth?"

The day-to-day work of a Project Manager / Special Projects Coordinator at The Uncommon Business is highly collaborative and fast-paced. You are not sitting behind a desk in isolation; you are actively embedded in the school community, partnering closely with the Director of Operations, Principal, teachers, and families.

You will lead the logistical coordination of major school milestones. This includes managing the administration of state exams, coordinating school-wide field trips, and organizing graduation ceremonies. You will build the project plans, secure the vendors, manage the budgets, and direct the staff volunteers to ensure these events execute seamlessly.

Additionally, you will manage the school's communication channels. You will write weekly newsletters, draft emergency notifications, and design parent-teacher conference sign-up workflows. You will also serve as the data steward for your campus, generating weekly reports on student attendance, behavior metrics, and academic progress to help the leadership team make proactive interventions.