Inside the Technical Interview: How to Stand Out as a Candidate

Over the last several years, I’ve had the privilege of conducting final-round technical interviews for software developer roles at a tech consulting company. These interviews are designed to assess not just a candidate’s technical skills but also their ability to think critically, problem-solve, and communicate complex ideas effectively—all under a time crunch.

While my experience comes from the consulting world, the insights I’ll share here apply broadly to technical interviews across the industry. Whether you're applying for a role at a consulting firm, a product-based company, or even a startup, understanding how to navigate high-level technical discussions can give you a competitive edge. In this article, I’ll provide an inside look at how I conduct these interviews, what I look for in candidates, and, most importantly, how you can stand out and shine.

I have over 25 years of experience spanning a wide range of technical domains, along with numerous certifications under my belt. I often joke that when I started in this industry nearly 30 years ago, my goal was to know everything—yet here I am today, feeling like I know less than ever.

Unless the interview is for a direct hire on my own team, there’s a good chance we won’t actually work together. And that’s okay. I still get the benefit of engaging in deep technical discussions with talented professionals across diverse backgrounds and specialties. My role, however, is to separate those who genuinely know their stuff from those who say they do. And I have to do it in under an hour—often with nothing more than your résumé as a starting point.

Not all technical positions are the same. A Senior DevOps role requires different skills than a Cloud Architect position, for example. However, there are core technical concepts that come up in nearly every high-level interview with me. No matter your specialization, be prepared to discuss one—or preferably all—of the following:

• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): This includes knowledge of Git, CI/CD, and deployment strategies. It may seem odd to list first, but in today’s industry, SDLC principles touch almost every technical role in some form.
• Automation: Experience with Ansible, Terraform, or other declarative Infrastructure as Code tools is a huge plus. If you don’t have experience here, the next point is even more important.
• Scripting: Choose a language—any language—and know it well. PowerShell, Bash, JavaScript, or Python are great examples, but anything that demonstrates you’re more than just a “mouse clicker” helps. If you come from a development background, even better—unless your go-to language is something like FoxPro or QuickBasic!
• AI: Yes, I expect you to be able to discuss how you’ve leveraged AI to improve your workflow and productivity. This demonstrates that you’re keeping up with modern trends.

This is why we’re having this conversation—your chance to shine. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Know It

This may sound obvious, but it’s worth stating upfront: You can’t fake it with me. I’ve conducted hundreds of interviews across many technical disciplines, and I have a strong track record of spotting embellishments.

Your résumé should accurately reflect the skills you claim to have, especially on the first page. Be ready to go into detail about recent projects that demonstrate your expertise. I will probe as deeply as possible until we hit the limits of your knowledge—so be prepared.

Teach Me Something

One of the things I enjoy most in these discussions is learning something new. If you can teach me a concept or technique I wasn’t aware of, you’ll leave a lasting impression—and I’ll genuinely appreciate our time together.

Be an Expert in Something

I frequently ask candidates what they feel they’re best at. This isn’t just small talk—it’s an intentional strategy. If you call yourself an expert in a particular area, I expect you to have solid answers when I dive in.

For example, if your expertise is in Ansible, be prepared to discuss the template language playbooks are written in (Jinja2 and YAML), how automation works, and the protocol it runs over (SSH). This is how I assess depth of knowledge.

Stay Curious

Nobody likes a know-it-all. Curiosity is what drives us forward in this industry. I want to hear about the areas where you’re looking to expand your skills and grow professionally.

Be a Problem Solver

Have at least one recent experience you can discuss in detail—an example where you tackled a challenge in a self-directed manner. It should be something you’re genuinely proud of, and ideally, it should be evident on the first or second page of your résumé.

A strong technical interview isn’t just about having the right skills—it’s about demonstrating them effectively. Here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• Know your stuff – You can’t fake expertise. Be prepared to dive deep into your skills and past experiences.
• Teach something new – If you can explain a concept in a way that even an experienced interviewer finds insightful, you’ll leave a lasting impression.
• Have a specialty – It’s better to be an expert in one area than to be average at everything. Own your expertise.
• Stay curious – Growth comes from asking questions and pushing your knowledge boundaries. Show that you’re always learning.
• Be a problem solver – Have a real-world example ready that showcases your ability to take initiative and get things done.
• Be honest – If you don’t know something, admit it. Honesty always trumps guessing.
• Show passion – A love for technology and problem-solving will set you apart from other candidates.
• Engage fully – Whether in person or remote, show up, be present, and turn your camera on when possible.

At the end of the day, I want you to succeed. A great interview isn’t just about checking technical boxes—it’s about showing how you think, solve problems, and grow in your career.

So, take these insights, prepare with confidence, and the next time we meet in an interview, you’ll be ready to shine.