How to Answer the Tell Me About a Time You Influenced Without Authority

Interview Prep with Fexingo: Behavioral Questions, Case Studies, and Hiring Manager Insights · Jul 10, 2026 · 8m · transcript

Episode 105 of Interview Prep with Fexingo tackles one of the toughest behavioral questions: 'Tell me about a time you influenced someone without direct authority.' Lucas and Luna break down why this question is increasingly common, especially in matrixed organizations, and walk through a real candidate story that works. You'll learn the three pillars of a strong response—context, approach, outcome—and hear why the best answers focus on negotiation, not persuasion. Plus, a surprising tip: the best influencing stories often involve a moment of genuine curiosity, not a power…