Interview Question: “What is Your 30-60-90?” Day Plan

During an interview, you may be asked many different types of questions. One question you should always be ready for is related to your 30-60-90-day plan. If you are wondering what that means, it is fairly straightforward.

It refers to what you plan to do in your first 30, 60, and 90 days after starting the job. Answering this question can be challenging because you must show planning while also expressing interest in the role.

In this article, we will cover the following points:

  • Why employers want to hear about your 30-60-90-day plan.
  • How to approach questions about your 30-60-90-day plan in interviews.

Examples that can help you form your own answer.

If that sounds helpful, let’s get started.

Why Employers Ask About a 30-60-90-Day Plan

Before answering, it helps to understand why employers ask about your 30-60-90-day plan. The first 30, 60, and 90 days represent your initial three months in the role. This period shows how quickly you settle into your responsibilities, team, and work environment.

That is exactly what hiring managers want to assess. They also want to see whether you understand the role and what is expected of you. If you prepare well and give a thoughtful response, it can help you stand out from other candidates.

How to Approach a 30-60-90-Day Plan Question

Now that you know why employers ask this question, the next step is learning how to answer it. A strong response can make a positive impression and show readiness. Below are a few clear steps you can follow to structure your answer effectively.

Learn About the Role and Company

The first thing you should do is research the company and the position you are applying for. Spend time reviewing the company website and reading available articles or updates. This helps you understand their values and how they operate.

Next, read the job description carefully so you know what your main duties will be. If possible, speaking with someone in a similar role can also give you useful insight and help you prepare better.

 

Set Clear Objectives

Once your research is complete, you can start forming the base of your answer. This means deciding what you hope to achieve during your first 30, 60, and 90 days. Think about tasks you want to handle or goals you want to reach during that time.

If goal-setting feels difficult, you can group them into simple categories such as:

  • Learning goals
  • Work-related goals
  • Personal development goals

Show That You Are Capable

After defining your goals, you need to explain why you are able to achieve them. Use your past work experience, skills, and education to support your answer.

This helps show that you are prepared and capable of handling the role’s responsibilities.

Support Your Answer with Examples

Listing skills alone is usually not enough to convince interviewers. You should be ready to share brief examples that show how you have used those skills before. Mention past achievements or situations where you met similar goals successfully.

If you do not have direct experience, you can talk about times when you took initiative to learn or improve.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way discussion, not just a test of your answers. After sharing your 30-60-90-day plan, it is a good time to ask questions. You might ask whether your plan matches what the company expects for the role.

You can also ask questions such as:

  • What does success look like in the first three months?
  • What type of training is provided early on?
  • What goals are most important for this position in the short and long term?

Sample 30-60-90-Day Plan Answers

As promised, here are some example answers to help guide you. These examples vary based on the seniority of the role. You can use them as reference points when preparing your own response.

Sample Answer for an Entry-Level Role

In my first 30 days at the company, I would focus on working closely with the entire team so I can understand the projects we are handling. In the following month, my aim would be to begin handling smaller responsibilities and take part in hands-on work with support from my teammates. By the end of 90 days, I expect to be confident enough to contribute to company projects independently, without needing constant guidance.

Sample Answer for a Mid-Level Role

Based on my background, I am confident I can settle into this role efficiently. In the first 30 days, I would plan meetings with team members to understand current workflows and internal processes. After the first month, I would apply what I have learned, together with my past experience, to start producing strong results. In my previous role, I met my targets within the first three months, and I am confident I can achieve similar outcomes here.

Sample Answer for a Leadership Role

I have clear objectives for my first 90 days with the company. During the first month, I would arrange individual meetings with team members to understand their roles, responsibilities, and challenges, while also gathering feedback on existing processes. In the second month, I would use these insights, along with workload observations, to improve workflows and help the team perform better. By the third month, I would review the changes made, measure progress, and assess whether further improvements are possible. I am confident in my ability to do this, as in my last three roles I improved team output by 15–20% within the first three months.

Key Points to Remember

You now have a clear idea of how to respond to 30-60-90-day plan questions.

Let’s briefly summarize what you should focus on to give a strong answer:

  • Research the role: carefully review the job description and learn about the company’s values and work culture.
  • Set your goals: decide what you want to achieve in your first, second, and third month. You can group goals into learning, performance, and personal development areas.
  • Show your strengths: use your experience, education, and skills to show you can reach those goals.
  • Use examples: support your claims with real situations so recruiters trust your abilities.
  • Ask follow-up questions: confirm whether your plan fits the company’s expectations.

Review the examples once more and prepare a response that fits your next interview.

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