I often ask that question in interviews, so I figure that I ask if what I want to do in the first 90 days is possible, or if I can get such a job.
Tasks I want to perform in the first 30 days
o Learn documentation format and read available examples
o Edit other people's drafts for spelling and clarity
o Type other people's work into computer systems
o Learn about the clients, and learn about what they hire the company to do
Tasks I want to perform in the next 60 days
o Complete searches of academic and professional journals on our clients and their concerns
o Complete literature reviews of journals
o Compile and present findings
o Verify accuracy of stored numeric and text data in computer systems
o Collaborate on improvements on policies and procedures
o Complete reports requesting improvements
o Edit reports according to feedback
o Discuss calculations and statistics with co-workers who work on statistics, and explain their knowledge to other audiences
Tasks I want to perform in the first 30 days
o Learn documentation format and read available examples
o Edit other people's drafts for spelling and clarity
o Type other people's work into computer systems
o Learn about the clients, and learn about what they hire the company to do
Tasks I want to perform in the next 60 days
o Complete searches of academic and professional journals on our clients and their concerns
o Complete literature reviews of journals
o Compile and present findings
o Verify accuracy of stored numeric and text data in computer systems
o Collaborate on improvements on policies and procedures
o Complete reports requesting improvements
o Edit reports according to feedback
o Discuss calculations and statistics with co-workers who work on statistics, and explain their knowledge to other audiences