Business plans are becoming a staple part of the interview process. Why? Because they give employers a window into how you think, your ability to spot commercial opportunities, tackle challenges, and create a strategy that speaks directly to their business.
If you’re interviewing for an insolvency or restructuring role, it’s increasingly common to be asked to prepare a business plan in addition to your usual interview preparation.
As specialist insolvency recruiters with years of experience, we’re here to take the guesswork out of it. From what to include to what interviewers are really looking for, here’s how to write a business plan for an interview that will set you apart.
Part One: Executive Summary
The start of your business plan should essentially be an overview of you and your suitability for the role. Include a brief summary of your career history – if there’s any specifics in your profession that you’re known for, or any sectors you specialise in, this is where to highlight them.
You’ll also want to include a synopsis of annual billings history across the past few financial years. Finish it off with a brief overview of your skill set and a summary of your current contact base.
Unsure where to start writing your executive summary? Our tip is to leave it till last. That way, it’s the most accurate summarisation of everything that’s going to follow. Keep it engaging and ideally under two pages.
Remember: this is the first thing employers will see, and if it’s not compelling, it’s the only thing they’ll see. In short: highlight your accomplishments, be succinct, and convince the hiring team that they should continue reading.
Part Two: The First 100 Days
This may vary based on the sector, but in any field your prospective employer will be keen to understand how you’ll hit the ground running. In an insolvency setting, it’s good to structure it as your process for stabilising, restructuring, and then recovering the company.
Ensure you’re utilising SMART goals as you outline your proposal – specific and achievable aims, quantified whenever possible and with clear accountabilities. If you’re lost for structure, the 30/60/90 day approaches can be very helpful.
When you’re writing your plan, be specific. Are there any appointments you’d bring across with you? Can you think of how you’ll build strong relationships within the company, and whether you can get some easy early wins by utilising external contacts?
From the interviewer’s perspective, this is about seeing your strategic thinking and your prioritisation in action. After all, you can say what you value, but this demonstrates what you think is key to implement from day one.
Part Three: Financial Projections
The next part of your business plan will, typically, be your financial projections for the first three years in the business. Your revenue projections demonstrate your commercial acumen to the interviewer: focus on the forecasts that you think are most relevant.
Remember when writing a business plan for an interview, interviewers care more about your approach to the forecast rather than the exact numbers you’re presenting. Include a revenue forecast table, operating costs, cash flow summary, key metrics, and a page of assumptions.
Part Four: Sales, Business Development & Marketing
This section will be similar to the First 100 Days section, except with a longer term vision in mind. You’ll want to focus on what reports, controls and internal structures you’ll need to put in place to have the best chance of success.
Reports: Do you need a rolling forecast, daily or weekly KPI dashboards, agreed milestones?
Controls: Do you need spend approval limits agreed upon? A freeze on non-essential purposes? A physical asset register?
Structures: Will you establish a crisis management team? Lines of stakeholder communications? An authority matrix?
You’re being tested on your approach to risk management here. Focus on clarity, feasibility and relevance. Tailor your plan to reflect the size, sector, and current state of the company you’re going to be working with. Specificity shows that you’re not applying a generic all-purpose template, and you’ve gone into granular detail.
Part Five: Presenting Your Business Plan in an Interview
A well-crafted business plan is only part of the equation – the way you present it can be just as pivotal in securing the role. During the interview, employers are not only evaluating the content of your proposal but also your ability to communicate with clarity, conviction, and strategic insight.
Use the business plan as a foundation, but avoid reading it verbatim. Instead, speak to its key points with confidence, adding depth and context to demonstrate your understanding and vision. Aim to deliver a focused and engaging pitch, ten to fifteen minutes is typically sufficient. Rehearsing in advance will not only sharpen your delivery but will also highlight any areas that need refining.
So, now you know how to put together a great business plan for an interview, let’s put it into practice. If you are looking for your next big role in insolvency and restructuring then contact Gambit Search today. Our team of expert recruiters will help you secure your ideal role and support you through the hiring process.
