Office Manager Interview Playbook
Office managers are the first point of contact for families and the steady support behind daily school operations. They manage communication, logistics, and culture simultaneously. Because the position combines administrative skill, emotional intelligence, and alignment with mission, it requires a deliberate hiring approach.
Danielle Mack, Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Classical in Atlanta, developed and shared an exceptional Office Manager Interview Playbook designed to bring structure, equity, and clarity to the hiring process. The framework enables schools to identify candidates who combine operational excellence with the warmth, professionalism, and joy that shape a thriving school culture. She was kind enough to share it with you!
Inside the Office Manager Interview Playbook
The playbook is organized across five interconnected sections, each designed to bring clarity and consistency to the hiring process.
1. Interview Schedule
An organized timeline outlines each stage of the interview process, including who participates, which areas they evaluate, and when feedback is collected. This ensures every candidate receives a consistent and professional experience.
2. Candidate Evidence
This section allows teams to record notes and examples tied to key competencies. It transforms the hiring discussion from subjective impressions to documented, observable evidence.|
3. Behavioral Interview
A set of structured, scenario-based questions helps interviewers assess how candidates respond to common school challenges. Prompts such as “Describe a time you de-escalated an upset parent” or “Explain how you prioritize competing tasks” reveal communication style, composure, and problem-solving ability.
4. Pre-Work Debrief
Before interviews begin, this section prompts hiring teams to align on goals. It encourages reflection on what the school most needs — personality fit, operational strengths, or community presence — ensuring everyone evaluates candidates through the same lens.
5. Role Plays
Realistic school-based scenarios give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to manage front-office interactions. This final component provides valuable insight into how candidates translate their skills into practice.
Learn More About Building Joyful School Communities
To learn more about how thoughtful hiring practices can shape joyful, connected school communities, listen to my conversation with Danielle Mack on the CheckBox Pro Series Podcast. In this episode, Danielle shares how she builds teams rooted in trust, purpose, and joy, beginning with how she hires.
