TNTP Communications Manager Interview Questions
& Process

After submitting my cover letter and resume, I got an email a few days later asking me to do a project that showed what the job would be like. They said it would help me understand the job better and show them my skills for the role. The project was really unclear and needed me to make a lot of guesses. I did like the project though, because it made me really think about the actual work I'd be doing if I got the job. I spent the entire weekend on it, which is understandable since applicants want to use all their time to make a good first impression. A few days after finishing the project, I got a phone interview. Then I had two more phone interviews, each lasting an hour. There were a lot of awkward silences since the interviewer was typing all my answers. The interviewers also seemed rushed, not interested, and not friendly. Even though I'm a really genuine and friendly person, they didn't seem to want to be friendly back. The questions weren't hard, but I found it weird how they kept digging deeper and often went in circles. My interview experiences made me have a bad feeling about the company. After each interview, it became more and more obvious that this wasn't the right company for me.

I applied for a communications role on the Human Capital team and heard back in less than three days. The next step involved a take-home assignment: a one-page public affairs plan and an op-ed piece, with teachers and teachers' unions as the primary audience. I spent a weekend on this, crafting a detailed plan focusing on how to reach that audience using both traditional and creative methods. A day or two after submitting, I got a phone interview. It was a bit awkward with long silences, which the interviewer said was due to her typing. She asked how much time I put into the assignment, and after I told her, there was more silence. She then had me walk through my plan and asked follow-up questions. She questioned why I didn't target the 'general public' and what info I'd need for that audience. I explained the instructions focused on teachers and unions, and that to target the general public, I'd need to make assumptions. She kept pushing for hypothetical tactics for the general public, which made up about 80% of the interview. It felt like she was trying to find a flaw. I knew this audience targeting was a weak approach in communications. I felt she looked down on me for needing more information. I was told I'd interview with a panel if I advanced, with a response by week's end. Nothing happened. The next week, I was emailed about being rejected for being less qualified, but offered another position. I looked at the description and didn't see a clear fit, but responded anyway. I expected another phone interview, but got a new exercise instead, with notification after submission. I called HR to clarify the role, leaving two messages about the deadline, but never heard back.

HR gave an outline of what to expect and the topics they wanted to cover, making it clear what questions might come up. They didn't give the exact questions, but it was enough to feel ready.