Interview Strategy for Clinching the Job

Donna Anselmo • September 9, 2024

Advice from Senior Technical Recruiter John Keller

Winning the job requires careful interview prep. And that includes the ability to build trust so conversations flow toward mutual understanding and respect.

“When you really connect with your interviewer(s), good things happen,” said Elite Technical Senior Technical Recruiter John Keller, whose goal is to guide talented candidates to great companies, successful interviews, and solid job offers.
Ready to connect? Here’s how:

Before Your Interview:

  • Mentally step yourself into the interviewer’s shoes for a moment. Imagine what they will be seeing, hearing, or feeling when interacting with you. Look to exceed the interviewer’s expectations on how prepared, professional, polite, and friendly you are throughout the interview.


  • Prepare to give the hiring manager specific evidence to show you are the best, the only, and the most logical choice to deliver the results they need. Arm yourself with at least 3 – 5 concrete examples of successes you personally delivered or helped create in significant (not peripheral) ways. Be ready to discuss your experience in detail. 

    TIP – The Wheelbarrow Test
    When choosing examples of your contributions, describe your accomplishments so concretely that they appear as items real enough to drop into a wheelbarrow. (Think technical designs, images, and specific outcomes, such as time saved and revenue gained.) Speaking concretely will help the hiring manager form a mental picture of the ultimate impact you can deliver. Also include concrete examples of your successes in your resume. 

  • Practice explaining your current and prior roles and the outcomes you’ve delivered. Be specific about how you solved relevant problems. This will give your interviewer valuable insight to how you think. Interviewers will be looking for signs of your insight and judgment as well as your hard and soft skills.

  • If you are prone to anxiety during high-stakes conversations, practice slow breathing and other mental activities several times before your interview to calm your thoughts. When calm, your brain is more likely to reach the flow state you need to stay on top of your game.


  • Also, choose an affirmation to help you succeed. And keep the positive outcome you want top of mind. Repeat after me: “I am going to wow them with concrete examples of my work and land this job!



Elite Technical Senior Technical Recruiter John Keller

During Your Interview

Tune into your interviewer by watching for subtle body language and vocal cues. Monitor your own tone of voice and body language. If appropriate, mirror the tone of your interviewer(s).


  • If invited to tell to tell about yourself, be sure to manage your pacing and not talk too long. "I’ve seen too many candidates waste precious interview time by not realizing that the interviewer already mentally checked out," said John. Interviewers will be watching how you communicate as well as listening to what you have to say.

When speaking, look for signs, such as a head nod, to indicate you are on the right track. Head nodding often means that the interviewer feels his/her needs are understood and you are in good rapport. If you don’t see signs of rapport, consider asking curiosity questions to clarify what’s under discussion. Asking good questions shows that you are listening!

Your questions might include: How is this going now? What would you like to see happen? What would lead to the outcomes you want to see? Can you tell me more about it? What is most important to you? Would you like to hear my ideas?

Also ask “curiosity questions” to help you understand the interviewer’s state of mind. Curiosity questions may include:
Can you tell me more about that? What else factors into this? What would be the criteria for that? Exactly what would you like to see happen here?


To maintain rapport, summarize the interviewer’s words, where appropriate, to demonstrate your understanding.


Winding Up Your Interview

Asking questions shows interest in what others think and have to say. The answers you get may lead to insight on issues like anticipated needs, results, culture. and growth. Consider the questions (and follow up comments) below, such as:

1.    Where do you need the biggest results, fastest? (Reinforce your experience in delivering similar outcomes.)

2.   What challenges do you anticipate for the person in this position? (Follow on with your insight to overcoming them.)

3.   Is there a specific skill or experience you are looking for that we haven’t discussed? (Briefly focus on relevant skills/experience you missed discussing.)

4.   How does this position factor into company growth and objectives? (This can help you determine where your work fits into the overall picture.)

5.   What would success in this position look like at the 3-month, 6-month, 12-month marks? (Listen carefully and if relevant, speak to successes you’ve made in those time frames. You can mentally catalog these ahead of time if there’s a need to elaborate.)

6.   How will you choose the best candidate? What else would you need to hear from me to be sure I check all your boxes? (This may be your best clue to whether you are a contender.)

7.   What is the growth potential for this role? (This open-ended question might elicit information on career track, performance reviews, etc.)

8.   What do your compensation and benefits packages look like? (Will it align with your needs?)

9.   What is most important for me to know about the company and team culture here? (Are you a great fit?)

Finally, communicate your serious interest in the job. Ask about the decision timeline and next steps.


Then, follow up with a thank you email and/or a hand-written note.


About John Keller


With 25 years of experience recruiting top IT and Engineering Talent, John Keller’s expertise in prescreening, technical evaluation, and negotiations leads to hundreds of candidate placements every year in a wide range of technical disciplines. John also provides consultative support and assistance to new hires on benefits, policies and employment relations, and 401K.


In his personal life, John is an outdoorsman and football fan, who enjoys family sports outings and resides in Dingman's Ferry, PA, with his wife, Mary, and their two daughters.


Looking for your next great connection? Connect with John Keller on LinkedIn or directly at: jkeller@elitetechnical.com
Or visit the Elite Technical Jobs Board at:
https://www.elitetechnicaljobs.com/

May 23, 2025
Welcome to the future of recruiting—where precision, inclusivity, and speed work together to deliver exceptional results for employers and candidates alike. Whether you’re an organization searching for the perfect technical hire or a job seeker striving for your next big opportunity, understanding the shifting landscape of talent acquisition has never been more crucial. At Elite Technical, we believe that embracing recruiting automation is key to creating a smarter, more dynamic, and rewarding hiring journey for everyone involved. What is Recruiting Automation? Recruiting automation refers to leveraging technology—especially artificial intelligence (AI) and smart software platforms—to streamline the hiring process from start to finish. It’s about replacing repetitive manual tasks with seamless, data-driven workflows that empower recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates. In practical terms, recruiting automation might mean: AI-powered resume screening that highlights top matches Automated scheduling tools that eliminate back-and-forth emails Predictive analytics that assess candidate fit and retention likelihood Intelligent recommendations that connect job seekers with the best opportunities Rather than replacing people, recruiting automation amplifies human expertise. Your team spends less time on administrative tasks and more time nurturing relationships and understanding candidate aspirations. How Elite Technical Powers Smarter Recruiting At Elite Technical, we’re passionate about harnessing technology not just for efficiency, but to deliver a more personalized and thoughtful experience for our clients and candidates. Our approach goes beyond traditional methods by integrating AI-enabled platforms throughout the talent journey. Advanced Talent Sourcing Through automated talent sourcing, we swiftly identify qualified professionals across technical specialties. Powerful search tools scan thousands of profiles, flagging those who match your unique needs in skills, experience, and culture fit. This approach increases both the quality and diversity of your talent pool, driving more meaningful connections in less time. Precision in Candidate Selection Leveraging ai recruitment, we evaluate candidates using objective, data-backed criteria. Machine learning algorithms can highlight subtle skills and patterns, helping our recruiters make fairer decisions—and reducing unconscious bias. The result? Every candidate has an equal opportunity to showcase their potential, and employers receive a shortlist of truly outstanding talent. Seamless Communication Our automated platforms keep everyone informed and aligned throughout the process. Candidates receive regular updates, interview reminders, and feedback. Clients gain instant visibility into search progress and insights on the candidate market. This transparency makes the entire experience less stressful and more engaging for all. How Recruiting Automation Improves Technical Staffing In technical and engineering fields, speed and accuracy are everything. The best talent is in high demand, and organizations can’t afford long vacancy periods. That’s why recruiting automation is a game-changer for technical staffing. Faster Placement: Automated resume screening and interview scheduling dramatically reduce time-to-hire, allowing you to secure top professionals before your competitors do. Reduced Bias: Standardized evaluation processes and AI-supported workflows help remove subjective factors, ensuring selections focus on merit and alignment. Improved Quality of Hire: Data-driven assessments and predictive analytics identify candidates not just suited for today’s role, but who will thrive in your organization for the long haul. Stronger Talent Pipelining: Proactive sourcing ensures a steady flow of well-matched prospects, so your projects won’t be slowed by talent gaps. By optimizing the entire talent sourcing process, automation frees up your recruiters to focus on what truly matters—building relationships, understanding client needs, and ensuring each match is a success. The Power of AI-Enabled Technology in Hiring AI isn’t just a buzzword at Elite Technical—it’s a driving force behind our commitment to innovation. Here’s how our AI-enabled technology elevates your hiring outcomes: Unparalleled Insights: AI tools analyze vast datasets to reveal hidden talent, predict future performance, and identify transferable skills that might otherwise go unnoticed. Continuous Learning: Advanced algorithms get smarter with each hire, fine-tuning their recommendations and improving over time. Candidate Experience: Automated engagement keeps job seekers informed and empowered, reinforcing your brand’s reputation for professionalism and care. When you combine the expertise of seasoned recruiters with the precision of AI, you create an environment where every placement is informed, timely, and impactful. Why Choose Elite Technical As Your Recruiting Partner What sets Elite Technical apart isn’t just our technology—it’s our unwavering dedication to your success. As a certified Woman-Owned Small Business recognized for excellence in healthcare staffing, we’re proud to champion diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility at every step. By integrating recruiting automation with our core values, we help organizations and individuals achieve their goals, contribute to vibrant communities, and shape a brighter future for the industry. Join the Future of Talent Acquisition Ready to experience a smarter, faster, and more intentional approach to hiring? Connect with Elite Technical’s talent network today. Let us show you how our combination of expertise, innovation, and heart will elevate your next career move or recruitment campaign. Your success story starts with the right partner—and the future of recruiting is here.
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