In these tough economic times, an effective job interview is more important than ever.

"One of the things I really want is someone who is motivated, who is responsible, who really wants to move up in their career," says Cece Feinberg, owner of a New York City public relations firm that represents clients in the fashion industry.  She's looking to hire a new assistant, an entry-level job that pays about $30,000 a year.

"I look for somebody whose got a lot of personality, a lot of charisma and character," says Feinberg.

She agreed to give INSIDE EDITION a behind-the-scenes look at the process to show viewers what works and what doesn't in a job interview.

Four applicants agreed to let INSIDE EDITION videotape their interviews.  Then those interviews were critiqued by a professional job counselor, Trisha Scudder of the Executive Coaching Group.

"Two things are happening in an interview.  There's the content of what you're saying.  There's also how you're coming across to the interviewer," explains Scudder.

The first candidate is Victoria Smith, who's just out of college, and told INSIDE EDITION she was well-prepared for her interview.

"I made sure to practice interview questions, look up possible questions that I would be asked," says Smith.

But while she dressed professionally, the job coach says Victoria's outfit may be a bit too conservative for a fashion industry job.

Scudder says, "If she had just added more flare to what she was wearing it would have reinforced her passion for the fashion business."  

Next up is Malcolm Soaris, who admits he doesn't know much about the fashion business, but says he's a quick learner.  Malcolm is energetic and enthusiastic in his interview, but he forgot to bring the requested writing samples.  

But Scudder says forgetting is not an option:  "You must bring your resume, your work samples, your references [to the interview]."

Talia McKinney has previous job experience in the fashion industry, but doesn't always make strong eye contact in her interview.  

Scudder says, "She often looked away when she was given a question and that looked like she wasn't prepared."

Kate Gout projects self-confidence and it looks like she really hits it off with her prospective employer.

"I'm really eager to learn.  I know that everyone wants to work in fashion, but I understand that it's not just about clothes," Gout tells Feinberg.

But Scudder wasn't completely sold.  "While she was pleasant and energetic she also had a disheveled look with her hair falling in her eye repeatedly, and that could be distracting to the person interviewing her," says the job coach.

So which of our candidates finally got the job?  

Kate may have the inside track, but they're still interviewing.