A 30-60-90-day plan is a written document outlining what you will do as an employee within the first 3 months of your employment. It's broken up into sections: the first 30 days usually includes training, as well as getting to know the company and customers; the next 30 days are more focused on getting out on your own and into the swing of things; and the last 30 days are often more about branching out and bringing in new business.

As a sales recruiter, I encourage all of the people I send to companies for interviews to create this kind of document and learn how to present it. It really sets them apart from other candidates, and the ones who have done it usually see tremendous results. But why is it so important? Why does it make a difference?

1. It shows initiative. You are already doing something that's not required, but that would be helpful. It gives hiring managers a clear idea of what they can look forward to if they hire you-an outstanding, take-charge, thoughtful, focused employee.

2. It shows preparation. A 30-60-90-day plan can't be done at the last minute. Creating one shows you are thinking and planning ahead, and know how to work. If you'll do that for the interview, it's a good bet for them that you'll do that in the job.

3. It shows your writing skills. That's important. It shows your communication skills, your Word Document skills, and your ability to put something together. It shows that you know how to impress.

4. It shows that you've done your homework. You took the time to get to know the company. When you can name specific things relating to the company in your document (types of clients, types or even names of competitors, top products, customer-relationship management systems, what their initiatives are or what their credo is) it presents you as a very desirable candidate who is interested in THIS job, not A job .

5. It shows that you know a lot about the position. You're already writing down what you will do in the first 3 months. You know what's going on, and what you're getting into.

6. When you present a 30-60-90-day plan correctly during the interview, it shows that you can control a client-customer interaction or a presentation, that you can effectively communicate the points you want to make, and that you can gather information because hopefully you're asking questions as you present it.

Then, if you re-send the 30-60-90-day plan along with your thank you note after the interview is over with the changes that the manager has suggested during your presentation, it shows follow-up--along with focus, presentation, communication, and all those things that make a wonderful employee...and THAT'S how you get the job offer.