The best candidates will position themselves as a solution to my problem. Highlight their experience in similar situations, talk about the results they've achieved and ask questions.

What kind of infrastructure? Who are the stakeholders? What's the tech stack? Where are the biggest challenges? What's breaking every day? How can I help?

The magic words I'm looking for are some version of "Oh yeah this one time when we <similar situation/project to yours>, I <the thing you did>, and then we <the successful outcome you achieved>".