After more than 16 years interviewing senior technology leaders, I’ve learned that the best interviews aren’t heard — they’re read between the lines.
At executive level, words are just the surface.
The real insight lies in the silences, the nuances, and the things the candidate avoids saying.
1. What They Say… and What They Really Mean
When a leader answers with perfectly polished phrases —“I led a global team”, “we optimised processes”— most people stop listening.
A good recruiter doesn’t.
They read the context: How do they talk about their team? Do they mention mistakes? Do they say “I” or “we”?
That’s where the truth hides — in leadership style, humility, accountability… or the lack of it.
2. Pauses Speak Louder Than Words
A pause after a tough question says more than a five-minute monologue.
It’s not hesitation; it’s reflection, care — or discomfort.
Listening to rhythm, tone, and avoidance reveals how the candidate really thinks.
3. Consistency Reveals Everything
A brilliant résumé can crumble in seconds if body language doesn’t match the story.
When words and gestures are out of sync, something’s off.
And in executive roles, inconsistency isn’t a detail — it’s a red flag.
4. Asking Isn’t Interrogating
The best questions don’t seek answers — they seek reactions.
“What was your biggest mistake?”
“What did you learn from a wrong decision?”
The way they handle those questions says more than any CV ever could.
5. Reading Between the Lines Is a Strategic Skill
A senior recruiter doesn’t hire based on answers — they detect patterns.
They hear what the candidate wants to project, but also what they’re trying to hide.
And somewhere in that invisible space between words lies the professional truth.
Executive interviews aren’t just conversations — they’re an advanced exercise in human reading.
And if you’re not reading between the lines, you’re not interviewing — you’re simply listening.
Do you read between the lines when you interview?
What signals make you trust — or doubt — a candidate?
