Jean Kang turned a simple thank-you email into a standout move that helped her secure a senior program manager role at design software company Figma in 2021.
After her final interview, the now 33-year-old from San Francisco did what most candidates do — she sent a thank-you note. But she went much further. Attached to her email was a polished 90-day onboarding plan, a detailed roadmap outlining what she would accomplish in her first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job.
“Nobody expected me or asked me to put it together,” Kang said. “It was my way of showing them: *This* is what you’re going to get if you hire me.”
Kang built the document using insights she gathered throughout the interview process. Rather than making generic promises, she demonstrated she could hit the ground running with minimal guidance.
To create the plan, she asked herself targeted questions:
- Why is the company hiring for this role?
- What are they really looking for?
- What would success and impact look like?
- How can I prove I’m the best fit?
- What can I demonstrate right now that shows I can do this job?
From those answers, she reverse-engineered clear, actionable goals. In the first 30 days, she planned to “develop key relationships” by meeting stakeholders across product support, sales, workforce management, and leadership. By day 60, she would focus on understanding core business priorities and objectives for the fiscal year. By day 90, she aimed to “align on project plans” and deepen her grasp of the enterprise support model.
To make the document even more memorable, Kang used Figma’s own design tools to add custom stickers and personalized touches — subtly showcasing both her skills and personality.
While she can’t say with certainty that the plan was the deciding factor, Kang has a strong feeling it made a difference. Just days after sending it, she received a call: the team had given her glowing reviews and wanted to extend an offer for the $165,000 role.
**Career experts agree this level of effort stands out.**
ZipRecruiter CEO Ian Siegel has noted that thoughtful follow-ups can give candidates a real edge. Similarly, former Google executive Jenny Wood recommends using thank-you notes to show exactly how you’ll solve the company’s problems and drive results — something Kang executed masterfully.
Kang left Figma in 2024 to pursue her side hustle full-time. She now creates career content, offers coaching, and helps others land high-paying program management roles.
**Her advice for job seekers in today’s competitive market?**
Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Think about how you can remove risk from their decision and make it obvious you’re the right choice.
“Taking that extra level of effort shows that you really want the role,” she says. “And it gives them confidence that you already know exactly what to do to succeed.”