Prepping for both Series B startup and FAANG execution rounds. I know startups want ‘scrappy’ and big corps want ‘structured,’ but how does this actually change your answers? For those who’ve done both: What specific elements do you emphasize/hide when switching contexts? Especially curious about tradeoffs—do you really downplay process rigor for startups?
startups: lie about how you once hacked a spreadsheet to replace a $2M tool. faang: pretend you deeply looove process docs. reality? both want you to fake being their cult member. mirror the job desc’s verbs and pray.
my mentor said startups care about ‘what u DID’ not ‘how u did it’. i cut all my Six Sigma jargon for a seed-stage interview and they loved the ‘speed’ angle! maybe try that?
Startups: Focus on end results with minimal resources. Example: ‘I led a cross-functional team with no formal authority to ship X despite Y obstacle.’ FAANG: Emphasize scalable processes. ‘I developed a governance framework that reduced redundant stakeholder reviews by 30%.’ Always tailor the ‘scale’ of your story to their stage.
You’re adapting—that’s already winning! Nail the vibe, and you’ll shine anywhere 
Data point: Startup post-mortem analyses show 73% prioritize ‘speed to MVP’ in execution answers vs. FAANG’s 68% focus on ‘risk mitigation frameworks.’ Recommend adjusting your STAR ratio—60% Action/Results for startups, 50% Situation/Task for FAANG to match expectations.