A plan and preparation are the foundation for success. Whatever you want to accomplish you need to start there.

If you want to make an impression on the hiring managers, show that you are a man with a plan – write an action plan for your job interview.

An action plan for a job interview has a clear goal: to show that you are ready for the job. Therefore, you need to plan out and present how you’ll fit in into their company and contribute to their efforts.

Do you want to write an action plan that will help you get the job? Here’s what you need to know.

The Benefits of Writing an Action Plan for Your Job Interview

An action plan can be an ace in your sleeve. It can an especially useful tool in the following cases:

  • You don’t have enough experience
  • You don’t have the perfect background
  • This is your first job interview with a developer
  • There are too many candidates you have to compete with

The power of an action plan is that it portrays determination, dedication, and confidence. Showing up at a job interview with an action plan in your hands will show that you have what it takes to be successful at that job. That’s how you’ll separate yourself from the crowd.

While you write the action plan you’ll also prepare yourself better for the interview.

In the process of creating the plan, you’ll work on your confidence. Once you get to the interview, you won’t be intimidated because you’ll know that you’ve done your homework. That feeling of certainty and preparedness is the perfect confidence booster.

Now, if you are ready to get started with forming your action plan, here are the steps you should take.

1. Do Your Research

Get to know the company you need to win over. Personalize the plan for each company you apply for. The interviewers will notice that and there goes another plus for you.

Dig out as many details as you can about the company. The information you can focus on is:

  • Their background
  • The software they use
  • The applications or software they are currently working on
  • Their primary customers
  • Their competition
  • Their training programs

Your plan will be much more on point if you collect and mention this information.

2. Break It Down

The most popular form of an action plan is the 30-60-90-day plan. This plan is created for the first 90 days at your job.

As the name suggests, your plan covers the first 30, 60, and 90 days. That is, you’ll segment the plan into 3 sections with each section covering 30 days.

Here’s how you can break down the action plan and what to include in each section:

·       The first 30 days

Typically, the first 30 days are assigned for getting to know the company. You’ll get acquainted with the team you’ll work with. If a company has a training program, you’ll probably be a part of that. Also, the colleagues will put you up to speed with the project they’ve been developing. Or, they’ll introduce you to the new software or app you’ll be working on.

·       The next 30 days (60 days)

After 60 days, you’ve got to know the company and now it’s time for evaluation. Give some overview of how you imagine you’ll progress will look like. Share how you can contribute to the teamwork. Or, unravel in your plan which of your skills can contribute to their projects. Overall, focus on your strengths as a developer and how they will fit in the company.

·       The last 30 days (90 days)

Here is where you can show off your independence. You can pitch some ideas, give your thoughts on how you can be an asset to the company, or share your personal goal for this time period.

3. Be Honest and Realistic

Don’t write the plan with hiring managers in mind. Write the plan with your goals in mind.

In your pursuit of interviewers’ acceptance, you can go over the top with the plan. Remember that these people are experienced. They will know if you are exaggerating.

Try to envision yourself in the company. Give yourself realistic opportunities and see what kind of actions you can take from that standpoint. That’s what your plan needs to tackle.

4. Mind the Length

A 30-day section usually takes up about one page. Aim for that length.

You don’t want to go over one page as you can only take so much of their time for presenting the plan.

However, you also don’t want to be too vague or concise. This is why research is important. To write a plan that is not a few sentences long, you need information that you can work with.

5. Edit the Plan Before You Present It

The moment you finish the plan isn’t the moment you should move on. Every piece of writing demands editing. The action plan is no exception.

Step away from the plan and let it rest for a day. The second time you read it you’ll be able to see it more objectively.

Editing will help you spot inconsistencies or room for improvement. If you have absolutely no patience for editing, you can hire an editing company to do it for you. Just make sure that the plan is revised before you present it.

Wrapping Up

With a good action plan holding your back, nothing can stand in your way. Be the one who pulls the ropes. Instead of the interviewers drilling you with one question after another about your plans and ideas, cover all their inquiries with your plan.

The fact that you show up to the interview with a set plan tells a lot about your character. Therefore, the plan isn’t the only one that will wow the interviewers, your determination will do that as well.

Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger at GetGoodGrade, an aggregator for useful college resources and websites. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.

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