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Walmart Labs·Software Engineer·Onsite - Behavioral / Leadership·Intermediate

Intermediate
Apr 2026

Summary

Behavioral round at Walmart Labs for a software engineer role. Just one question but it took up most of the time, and it's the kind of question that sounds easy until you're actually in it trying to remember a real example that doesn't make you sound like a pushover.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Describe a situation where you got people to follow your recommendation without having any formal authority to make them do so. How did you build support, and what happened?

Stakeholder ManagementCross-functional Alignment
Author's notes

This tripped me up more than I expected.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Use the STAR method to structure your answer, focusing on a specific situation where you influenced others without formal authority. Highlight how you built consensus through data, empathy, and collaboration, and quantify the positive outcome.

Pro tip: Emphasize that you listened to stakeholders' concerns first and adapted your recommendation to address them, showing that influence comes from understanding, not just persuasion.

1. Set the Scene

Briefly describe the project, the stakeholders involved, and why your recommendation was important but not mandatory. Clarify that you had no formal authority over the people you needed to influence.

2. Build the Case

Explain how you gathered data, researched alternatives, and prepared a compelling rationale. Show that you anticipated objections and had evidence to support your recommendation.

3. Engage Stakeholders

Describe how you communicated with each stakeholder group, listened to their concerns, and tailored your message to their interests. Highlight any one-on-one conversations or group meetings you initiated.

4. Adapt and Align

Show flexibility by incorporating feedback and adjusting your recommendation to gain broader support. Explain how you found common ground and built consensus.

5. Achieve and Reflect

Share the outcome: what was implemented, the impact (e.g., time saved, revenue increased, bugs reduced), and what you learned about influence and collaboration.

Key Points to Mention

  • Lack of formal authority and how you navigated it
  • Use of data and evidence to support your recommendation
  • Active listening and empathy to understand stakeholder perspectives
  • Tailoring communication to different audiences
  • Building consensus through iteration and compromise
  • Quantifiable positive outcome and lessons learned

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.