A 30-60-90 day plan is your secret weapon in a job interview,
provided you use it wisely.
The reason this plan is so important isn't just because the employer needs to know what you will do in your first three months.
It is actually about demonstrating your thought process and the impact you are going to have from the moment you join.
It gives you the opportunity to talk about your development areas,
how you will steady the ship,
and how you will add significant value within that period.
Consider your plan carefully and make it specific to the job you are applying for.
This should never be a "rinse and repeat" scenario.
You have to think about every single interview and what your specific strategy would be for that particular role.
It will be different for every job you go for,
so it should not be a copy and paste exercise.
Let’s start with the first 30 days.
This is your opportunity to outline the key areas of focus you need to get to grips with the role quickly.
If you have any gaps on your CV,
trust me, the hiring managers have already found them.
They have looked at your profile and seen your potential,
but they likely still have concerns.
When you discuss your first 30 days,
you should talk about the steps you will take to close those gaps right away.
For example, you might be applying for a job in a completely different industry where you have no direct experience.
In your first 30 days, you should focus on meeting the team,
getting familiar with the organisation’s processes,
and really getting to grips with the new sector.
Take the opportunity to see what is different about that industry compared to where you have worked before.
At this point, you can mention that you have successfully moved between industries in the past.
This proves that you have a tried and tested method for hitting the ground running,
even in a new environment.
The second stage is the 30 to 60 day mark.
This is where you start to understand the internal processes in much more detail.
You can then begin to identify how to add value and apply your specific strengths to the organisation using quick wins to improve performance.
This is your chance to embed yourself in the team,
master the workflows,
and ensure you are contributing effectively at an early stage.
The most critical part is the 90 day plan.
You don't want to play your best cards any sooner than this point.
By the 90 day mark,
you should be showcasing exactly how you will leverage your strengths from your previous experience to drive real tangible results.
You should go into the interview with a clear sense of the areas where you are a complete subject matter expert.
This is where you talk about making a real impact.
After your first 30 days of closing knowledge gaps
and 60 days of understanding the business,
you can explain how you will bring your broader experience to the table.
Demonstrate how the skills you have gained across various fields will allow you to add value and make a tangible change to the organisation.
This shows the hiring team exactly how you are going to make a significant difference.
For example, if the job description describes the need for someone with transformation experience,
you talk about how by day 90, based on what you’ve learned so far
you will be implementing change governance frameworks,
a proper programme management infrastructure
and evolving the team to become change agents.
In summary
3️⃣0️⃣ Focus on acknowledging your gaps and explaining what you will do to close them.
6️⃣0️⃣ Focus on how you will contribute early wins and master the company processes.
9️⃣0️⃣ Demonstrate how you can take charge of new projects in a way that is strategic, proactive, and value-driven.
If you do this,
you have a much better chance of proving you are the strongest candidate for the role.
Other candidates might come in with plenty of confidence,
but they often fail to acknowledge how they will address their own gaps.
They are the ones who may impress them with how they present their experience,
But they will remember you for how you present your gaps, your plan to address them and your plan to make an impact.
If you tell the panel exactly how you are going to do the job well, they are going to want you on their team.
Take the time to thoroughly think through your 30-60-90 day plan for your next interview.
It is the best way to impress the hiring manager and secure that role.
If you’d like support with your Interview Preparation, Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation with me and tell me your story.
Let’s see if I can help you shift the dial and secure your new career.
