Are you a manager or executive candidate who is looking to set yourself apart?
Have you gone through the early stages of the interview process?
If so, there is a way that you can be sure to stand out as an efficient and organized candidate.
How?
By creating a 30-60-90 day plan.
If you’re not sure where to start, this article will provide tips to help you create this work plan for your next (hopefully final) interview!
What is a 30-60-90 Day Plan?
A 30-60-90 day plan is a tool proven to improve your chance of being hired as you enter those later stages of interviewing.
Most people have the tools available to create this plan.
But the truth is, most candidates fail to prepare properly for an interview.
Especially if you are seeking a job in the managerial or executive sector, you will want to create a sample work plan for your prospective position.
In short, a 30-60-90 day plan is an outline of your strategy and the propositions you have for your first few months of work.
You can outline this 30-60-90 day work plan on a Word document. You can also create it using a PowerPoint presentation.
Below, we’ll discuss ways you can format your work plan, but first, let’s cover a few suggestions on how to approach it.
Focus On The Company
It is extremely important not to create a “one plan fits all” strategy.
You are not going to offer the same 30-60-90 day plan to every position you apply to.
If you have reached this point, you have likely had previous interviews with a certain company.
As such, you understand certain aspects of their culture, goals, and vision.
- Focus on the company’s specific requirements.
- Use any information you can gather. Look at the job description from the original posting. Look at the company’s website for goals and vision.
- Employ details you have gathered on the culture of the company.
Make a Plan Relevant to the Company’s Needs
Remember, you are interviewing to fill a gap somewhere.
Imagine that you have already received an offer and now it is time to deliver!
Your plan should be used to set you apart from the other candidates.
It needs to be unique to the specific job description because if you show a lack of effort, you will not leave a lasting impression.
(For more tips, check out the 50 Top Job Interview Questions And Answers.)
I know we already stated this, but it could bear repeating:
Your approach needs to be highly specific to be effective.
Statements such as these should be left out of your 30-60-90 day plan:
- Familiarizing myself with the office layout
- Making friends with neighboring pods
The hiring manager wants to know what you can do for the company.
Your own needs should be left out of the plan.
Only include those things you need to be an effective employee.
Also, try to quantify goals in your 30-60-90 day plan.
Nothing impresses an interviewer more than a candidate who can present quantifiable numbers, both in previous accomplishments and future goals.
Referencing prior accomplishments while presenting your plan can speak volumes to your organizational skills.
Formatting Your 30-60-90 Day Plan
Some sources suggest a flat 90-day plan.
Although this would suffice, we suggest an alternative approach.
Format your strategy as a 30-60-90 day plan instead.
Breaking your plan up into 30-day increments shows a step-based plan with each tier building upon the other.
For each set of 30 days, you can create specific goals in these four areas:
- Learning goals
- Performance goals
- Initiative goals
- Personal goals
Try following the template below to help you outline your plan.
First 30 Days
Focus on training, finding mentors, and embracing the company culture.
Make sure these focal points relate to both your job description and the people around you.
Considering the above four areas, your plan might look something like this:
1. Learning Goals
Read company’s corporate charter and focus primarily on sections that apply to my department
Speak with supervisor about any questions or comments regarding company charter
Take time to learn all relevant terminology for the company
2. Performance Goals
Complete company training courses
Earn an “A” on training course examination
Make a minimum of five calls per day
Convert at least two calls into clients each week
3. Initiative Goals
Volunteer to lead a project in next department meeting
Offer to oversee social media strategies
4. Personal Goals
Meet and grow acquainted with coworkers within my department
30-60 Days
Focus on implementing your training and putting your experience into action.
Also, work with your supervisor to optimize your performance.
1. Learning Goals
Learn about the line of products produced by the company
Research similar products created by competition
Chart strengths and weaknesses of competitors’ products
2. Performance Goals
Increase number of daily calls to 10 per day
Convert at least one call per day to a client
Request a casual performance report from immediate supervisor
Put into practice any input received
3. Initiative Goals
Research methods for gaining new clients using social media platforms
Employ at least one new method each week
Monitor effectiveness of each method
4. Personal Goals
Invite colleagues to lunch or coffee
- Discuss strategies for effectiveness
- Gain a deeper understanding of department operations
60-90 Days
In this last stage of your 30-60-90 day plan, you can try to add your personal touch to the position.
Remember, your goal is to be an effective leader/coworker.
You want to build relationships and develop connections that benefit your position and the company as a whole.
1. Learning Goals
Research cutting-edge sales methods
Take an online learning course in relevant area
Chart strengths and weaknesses of company products
2. Performance Goals
Make at least one dozen daily calls
Increase percentage of conversion
Gain referrals from current clients
Request colleagues or supervisor to monitor several calls and provide input
Put into practice any input received
3. Initiative Goals
Offer to partner with R&D department to boost sales by considering more effective methods
Choose and adopt one relevant method
Monitor effectiveness of method for continued use
4. Personal Goals
Adopt one of the following practices to increase personal effectiveness and motivation
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Regular gym attendance
Summary of Creating a 30-60-90 Day Plan
Some employers will ask you to create a plan once you get the job.
But even if they don’t, you can be one step ahead (or several steps)!
If you complete a 30-60-90 day plan for your next interview, you will portray yourself as a high-quality candidate.
It might take some time, but don’t be afraid to put in the work.
This will guarantee that you have done all you can to display your abilities and work ethic.
The rest will be out of your control, but using this strategy effectively will eventually lead to results.
Happy job hunting!
