Answers to Common Interview Questions – What would you do in your first 90 days in this position?
To perform well in an employment interview, you have to be prepared. You should know about the company, be familiar with their products and services, surmise their challenges and understand their key competitors. Having this information will set you apart from your competition, and show that you're serious about the position.
Beyond that, the best way to prepare for any interview is to put together a list of possible interview questions, then have mock interviews where you can practice your responses. In the series on Answers to 7 Common Interview Questions, here is a possible response to “What would you do in your first 90 days in this position?” For this question, the interviewer is trying to find out how you solve problems and set goals. This is a great opportunity to establish to a company that you can manage your time, quickly get up to speed, and hit the ground running.
Generally speaking, during any employment interview, a hiring manager is looking for responses to the following basic questions:
- Do you understand what the job entails?
- Can you perform the job?
- Will you perform the job?
One way to address this question, if by presenting a 30-60-90-Day plan for your first days on the job. If done correctly, this will demonstrate that you understand what’s required of you, and that you have the skills and experience needed to do the job successfully. Even if you are not asked this question during the interview, it’s good to go through the process of creating a 30-60-90-day plan prior to the interview. There will be many opportunities in the interview to present your plan to the interviewer, and it will demonstrate that you're serious about the position and have come prepared.
Possible answer to the question, “What would you do in your first 90 days in this position?”
“I am delighted that you asked this question because I have created a 30-60-90-day plan based on my understanding of the role. The first thing I’ll do is to meet with my boss to get a clear understanding of her expectations and the challenges and projects that are most important to address. I will learn what my boss expects from me, and how she measures success in the role. Next, I will meet with members of the team, and other coworkers to understand how the position fits in with the larger team. Finally, I will take the time to complete training on all aspects of the position, so I have the knowledge needed to get to work.”
The above response works because you are demonstrating your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get to work in a professional, proactive manner.
Want more interview advice? Review our advice on how to tackle these common interview questions: