If you’ve been asked to return to a prospective employer for a 2nd interview, you’re definitely in a great spot. You’ve cleared all the hurdles in your 1st go-round with the company, and now they’re simply wanting to confirm you’re the right person before making an offer. You may meet some additional personnel during this second visit, but you’ll definitely meet with the hiring manager again.
Is there a way you can differentiate yourself from other candidates and increase your odds of getting the job when you go in for a 2nd interview? Absolutely…
Doing so starts well before your initial interview, however. You must thoroughly research your prospective employer before you interview – see the 2nd point in my related post here.
In addition, you must take careful notes – mental or in your notebook – during that first interview. What are the critical issues the organization faces – from the standpoint of the position you’re interested in? How will the person who fills that position be evaluated – during say, his/her first 6 months? What issues will you need to focus on? Where’s the organization’s “pain” from (your) functional standpoint? If you are to be successful in this new role, what will you need to accomplish during the 1st 90-120 days?
With this information in hand, once you receive word the firm wants to see you again, you need to complete a simple 3 page document.
This document is your detailed plan of action for your first 90 days in your new position.
Hardly anyone you’re up against in the interviewing process will do this. You’ll immediately distinguish yourself from anyone else who’s in contention, and you’ll provide your prospective boss and yourself an excellent vehicle for an in-depth conversation of the critical issues and how you’ll address them. In one simple act you’ll define yourself as someone who’ll hit the ground running on Day 1. Here’s an excerpt from page 1 of an actual example:
If you’d like to receive a Word template for use in creating your own 90 day plan, just click on the “FREE Downloads” page at the top of this page, and click on the “90 Day Plan Shell” file – it’ll only take a few moments to download, and it’s completely FREE (see the comments – someone is apparently selling a very similar document online.)
As illustrated above, the file includes specific examples (for a senior sales & marketing executive) of types of activities you may want to consider; of course you’ll have to adjust to your field of expertise and the needs of your prospective employer.
Many thanks to my old colleague Tom Lombardo for this excellent tool. I can’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but I can assure you this simple document will definitely make you stand out from the crowd & increase your chances of closing the deal. Good luck! Please comment….
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April 25th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Is the 90 day plan the same thing as Jimmy Sweeney’s “Secrert Career document”?
April 25th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Brian – thanks for the question – unfortunately I’m not familiar with Jimmy’s approach. I Googled him and visited the site you no doubt have seen, but this is the first I’ve heard of the “Secret Career Document.” It sounds as though it may be similar. I’ll hunt around a bit and see if I can learn anything more. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
yes it is…
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:35 am
Bandy…
Thanks for commenting. I still have not seen the Jimmy Sweeney document, so I appreciate your chiming in.
Kevin
December 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Thank you so much for this plan. I think i have all the ammunition to land the job!
March 10th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Thank you so very much. I had a great “hand-out” for my interviewers and I told them “when you are deciding who to hire, please look at this and pick me”. I am so glad I saw this website before my 2nd interview. I interviewed at 8:30am and had the offer by 2:30!
March 10th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Tracy – so glad it was of help. Congratulations!
June 18th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Respected Sir,
I am very thankful to you for sharing this valuable info. it helped me a lot tomorrow is my interview i’ll use these tips. i am very grateful to you. God Bless You & Shower All the Happiness on you.
Regards
Deepak
Country- India
June 18th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Deepak: best of luck to you!!
June 20th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Respected Sir. Kevin how are you?
Remember i mentioned last time that i have an interview on Saturday and I also mentioned that I will try your 90 day plan shell(Modified to match the job i applied for)for getting that job. Well it not only helped me getting the job but, it did a miracle for me.
Here is my story Mr. Kevin(Genius)
I reached the interview venue early morning and I was asked to wait for the interviews to start. Then I realized by talking to other people who were there for the same job. They were all MBA’s and all having experience of 1 or more years. Well, at this moment I was sure that I cannot beat these guys in a normal way as I am fresher. This provoked me more to use that 90 days plan shell. Soon the interviews started and my no. was 6th. They called me in and started to ask the same old questions. First question was “Introduce yourself Mr. Deepak” after that they asked me about the job and started to examine the way I was answering their questions, my gestures etc. which normally HR people does. Then they asked me how you will sell our product. This was the moment I was waiting for and I took out my hidden weapon, my 90 days initial plan. I handed 1 copy each to both the interviewers. At first they were amazed and the room was silent for 5 mins and they kept on reading the document. After that one of them asked me how u managed to get all this info. ? I replied “Sir, I did my homework well” and I also told them the very minor and major facts and things about their company like no. of branches and the names of the directors and the mission and vision statement of their company. They were really impressed. I knew that I got that job in my pocket. There I surpassed those experience holders with that 3 page document. They asked me to wait outside and then after a few minutes a young lady came to me and asked me to go for the 2nd round of the interview. It wasn’t that hard, the next round was simple and was only focused on the job description and my duties and how will I perform them. Then after waiting for a few more minutes I was asked for the 3rd round which was the final round with the Zonal Manager of the office. After a little talk about the job and salary. He told me that they will reach me in a week for further documentation formalities and for the offer letter of the job. I was very happy I also made few new friends there. You made my day Mr. Kevin I don’t know how to thank you. I am running out of words. This website rocks and its one of the best websites I’ve ever visited on the internet. Thanks a million for making this websites and helping people like me. I pray to god to keep you and the people you love always happy and wealthy.
Thanks again Mr. Kevin You are Great !!!
Thanks & Warm Regards
Deepak
Country – India
June 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Deepak:
Congratulations! I wish you all the best in your new position. …and thank you for taking the time to come back to share your experience, and for your very kind words – you’ve made my day!!!