Tackling the first 100 days question

This question seems basic and straightforward - a chance to rattle off your initial to-do list.

However, it's often asked because it is a multi-layered probe into your approach to leadership and how you set yourself up for success. Here's what we are really after:?

• Preparation: Have you considered the role and what it takes to excel in it?
• Thought Process: Can you approach challenges logically and holistically?
• Motivation: What drives you, and can you identify what motivates others?
• Communication: Can you effectively and persuasively articulate your plans?

Start with your Playbook

Over your career, you've likely developed a framework for tackling business challenges - a personal "playbook" that has yielded results. The key is to formalize and articulate this approach during your interview. Here's how:

• Use Structure: Use clear steps ("Firstly," "Secondly," etc.) to showcase your thought process.
• Be Specific: Provide concrete examples with quantifiable outcomes (e.g., "increased renewals by 30%").
• Provide a Rationale: Explain the "why" behind your strategy. What were the key drivers and context behind your approach?

Weaving it Together

I recently helped my client hire a Chief Commercial Officer - a big role responsible for all aspects of sales, business development, and new revenue streams. Two candidates stood out for their achievements, but their communication styles were like night and day.

The first candidate impressed me with a structured and easy-to-follow answer of his "first 100 days". He outlined a clear plan with defined steps, showcasing a logical thought process. This resonated with me because, as the interviewer, I'm essentially asking, "Can you set yourself up for success?"?

The other candidate, while impressive on paper (e.g., growing sales 3x with a small crack team), struggled to communicate his approach effectively. His answer lacked structure; I had difficulty understanding the "how" behind his achievements. This raised a red flag: If you can't clearly articulate your own success story, how will you effectively position the company and its offerings to potential clients?

Help us Help u

Impressive results are fantastic, but during an interview, we also want to understand the "why" and “how” behind them. Did your sales growth come from a well-defined strategy, or was it more of a "spray and pray" approach? What kinds of challenges did you encounter while scaling, and how did you navigate them? Intentionally or through brute force?

By digging deeper into your thought process and the rationale behind your actions, we gain valuable insight into your leadership skills and problem-solving process. (Which helps me gauge this vague thing called "culture fit", which is another topic for another day!)

So, if you're ever asked about your first 100 days, don’t panic. You just need to share your superpower clearly in a structured way that the interviewer can easily understand.

Think about it. Wouldn't you want to hire someone who can achieve results and clearly explain how they did it? That's the kind of leader who inspires confidence and drives success.

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Join the Conversation!

Every week, I break down the interview process and share actionable insights to help you navigate the interview journey and land the job you want. Feel free to follow along, share your own interview experiences, and let's learn and grow together!

Until next week, ace those interviews! ?? ??