WetFeet Writes the Book on Acing the Interview

The newest title from the career experts at WetFeet, Inc., gives job-seekers concrete, easy-to-follow advice for the dreaded job interview. "Ace Your Interview!" draws on the advice of interviewing and hiring experts to bring job seekers the latest wisdom and practical advice for the interviewing processfrom phone screens to behavioral interviews to job simulations and beyond.

March 18 2004--After successfully completing the tasks required to land the interviewfinding a promising job opening, crafting a compelling cover letter, and tuning a pitch-perfect resumejob seekers get the call they've been waiting for and celebrate! Then, they realize they've only won half the battle. The dreaded interview remains.

"Ace Your Interview!" demystifies the interviewing process by breaking it down into two steps: (1) figuring out what the employer is looking for and (2) giving it to them.

To convince employers that you are the candidate they're looking for, make sure that the personal strengths you plan to emphasize in your interview match the demands of the position identified in the job description and your background research. (If your strengths are not a strong match for the position, your time would probably be better spent looking elsewhere for a more suitable position.) Then on the big day, present yourself as a candidate with specialized skills and general-audience appeal. Your confidence, enthusiasm, knowledge, and understanding should confirm what your interviewer is already predisposed to believe: That bringing you in for an interview was a wise move, and that hiring you would be even more brilliant.

In bringing candidates in for interviews, interviewers are hoping to answer a few general questions:

Do I want to work with you?
Intangible attributes, such as resourcefulness, initiative, creativity, adaptability, drive, and integrity, will set you apart from other qualified candidates. So, think about which of your personal strengths would be most useful in the position youve applied for, and emphasize these in your interview. You should have an anecdote at the ready to illustrate each of your personal strengths in action.

Will you mesh with the team?
Although many interviewees still seek to dazzle employers with their individual brilliance, this is a rookies mistake in a work world that is increasingly dependent on teamwork rather than brainiac star-power. To show prospective employers that youre prepared for the teamwork most jobs now entail, be sure to highlight your experiences as part of a successful teamnot just your solo achievementsin your interview.

Can you do the job?
Before you head into any job interview, be sure you have done your homework with respect to the position you are interviewing for. Study the job posting and description carefully to glean as much information as possible about the responsibilities and tasks you will be expected to handle. As always, the most compelling way to demonstrate your fitness for the position will be with specific examples from your work history.

Do you understand the business?
Employers are naturally concerned with determining how well you understand their business as they make hiring decisions. This helps them determine whether you can do the job (see above) and gauge your interest in the company and the job. If you dont take the time to understand the business before the interview, theres little indication that youre seriously interested in working for the company.


"Ace Your Interview!" draws on the advice of interviewing and hiring experts to bring job seekers the latest wisdom and practical advice for the interviewing processfrom phone screens to behavioral interviews to job simulations and beyond.


All WetFeet Insider Guides are available for purchase from www.wetfeet.com and on Amazon.com. Contact Jenn Nagaj for a review copy of "Ace Your Interview!"


"Ace Your Interview! The WetFeet Insider Guide to Interviewing"
WetFeet, Inc., May 2004
$16.95, paperback, 132 pages
ISBN: 1-58207-369-4

About WetFeet, Inc.
WetFeet publishes the highly regarded WetFeet Insider Guide series of career management books for job seekers, which are sold worldwide. Top candidates also rely on WetFeets award-winning career websites, WetFeet.com and InternshipPrograms.com, for the most comprehensive career and company research to help them make better career decisions and for the latest job and internship opportunities for college-educated talent. Additionally, WetFeets company and industry profiles and career management content powers the career sections of top properties across the Web, including major newspapers, universities, media companies, staffing firms, job boards and leading employer websites.