I went with a story about realigning a skeptical stakeholder on a roadmap call.
Use the STAR method to describe a specific situation where you had a disagreement with a colleague or stakeholder, focusing on how you listened to their perspective, presented data-driven arguments, and ultimately reached a consensus. Highlight the positive outcome and what you learned about effective persuasion in a technical context.
Pro tip: Show that you are open to being convinced yourself—demonstrate that you sought to understand their viewpoint first, which builds trust and makes your eventual argument more persuasive. Emphasize that the goal was the best outcome for the project, not 'winning' the argument.
Briefly describe the project, the decision at hand, and why there was a disagreement. Make sure the situation is relevant to software engineering and cross-functional collaboration.
Show empathy by articulating why the other person held their view. This demonstrates that you listened and understood their concerns, which is crucial for effective persuasion.
Detail the steps you took to change their mind: gathering data, running experiments, building a prototype, or presenting alternative solutions. Focus on logical, evidence-based arguments rather than emotional appeals.
Explain how the other person came around, the positive result for the project, and how the relationship was maintained or strengthened. Emphasize that it was a collaborative win, not a personal victory.
Share what you learned about persuasion, communication, or technical influence. This shows self-awareness and growth, which are highly valued at Meta.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.