You Have a Job, Now What?
Answer: Your 60/90-Day Strategic Plan. Question: What are you going to talk about during the second interview that will separate you from the ‘pack’. During your first interview, you probably heard all about the pain-points that are driving the hiring manager crazy. This includes project deadlines, technology initiatives, budgets, client visits (if you’re in Sales), revenue goals and so on. Additionally, you may have noticed that they never seem to have enough people on staff!
If you’ve asked the right questions in your first round of interviews, and you are truly excited about this potential opportunity, then you should have a pretty good idea as to what you will do to be successful in this role. You should be able to identify at least a 60/90-day strategic plan, based upon your knowledge of the role as it is today.
If used carefully and properly, your strategic plan can be “The Difference Maker” for you in your second round of the interview process.
Three of the primary factors that demonstrate your value proposition, and will drive your success in this new potential role are as follows: having a vision / overview for the job, establishing trust with clients and colleagues, and being able to identify and set goals and objectives. Let’s go into each of these in depth.
Vision / Overview
Based upon what you have heard in the interview, you should know the vision / overview of the department or company. What impact will you make within your first 60/90 days that can be tied back to the company reaching its goals?
Consider the following when drafting your plan:
Know the Product
Establish a working knowledge of products or services to create long-term value in your employment.
Be Credible
Become a leader among your peers by spearheading initiatives, collaborating with the leadership team, or presenting to your department.
Begin with the End in Mind
Are you still thinking that this is waaaay too much work -- especially for an employer that hasn't even hired you yet?! It doesn't have to be. In fact, just spending 30-60 minutes per focus point might be all you need to create a fact-based, hit-the-ground-running, summary document. And, if you "begin with the end in mind", as Stephen Covey suggests in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the task will be far less burdensome because you'll probably start asking far more focused questions during the interview process than you might have otherwise considered. By the way, take note if you really don't want to develop a 90-Day Plan as it might indicate that the job isn't one you'd really like to have. Better to realize that before you accept the offer, yes?! But assuming you follow-through, a 90-Day Plan gives a prospective employer deep insight into who you are and how you work. And, by providing it voluntarily, you create a far more compelling justification for hiring YOU, rather than someone else who merely answered the questions they were asked.
All things being equal, who would you hire?
