I was recently laid off from my Software Engineer position at a FAANG company after about a year. My situation was a bit complicated because my managers changed a few months into my tenure, and on my last day, they informed me that I wasn't meeting expectations. The feedback I received was primarily about my productivity and poor status updates, but I had never been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) before this. I suspect that the layoff was more performance-based rather than just cost-cutting, especially since a few others were also let go at the same time. Now, as I prepare for upcoming behavioral interviews, I'm grappling with how to frame my layoff. I'm torn between saying I was laid off due to restructuring or being honest about the stack-ranked layoffs and my struggles with the new management. I lean towards the first option, but I worry that it might not be completely truthful, and I fear that hiring managers might find out the real reason from my previous employer. Additionally, I'm considering which experiences to highlight in my interviews. Should I focus on stories from my previous role, where I left on my own accord, or is it acceptable to use examples from my recent position, especially if I can get positive references from senior engineers? I feel that some stories from my last role showcase my skills better, but I'm concerned that the fact I was laid off might overshadow them. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who's been through a similar experience. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!