4 ms·

I'm in a situation now where I was one of the first five (#5, to be precise) employees at a startup. I told them what I needed to get as a salary, and I didn't

I'm in a situation now where I was one of the first five (#5, to be precise) employees at a startup. I told them what I needed to get as a salary, and I didn't cut it down for the sake of hoping to cash out later. I got less stock than I could've, but that money (if it ever exists), is more of a bonus to me than anything. I can't afford to go out on a limb for a startup or to hope for some big pay day. I'm a single earner in a family of five and I can't just make my kids stop eating and growing because I want to get some stock options. I would suggest anyone thinking of working at a startup keeps their regular salary in mind as what you need/want, and think of stock as a bonus later that probably will NOT ever come. Stock is a nice carrot to dangle if you're a stingy employer (or one who refuses to pay folks' worth), but it shouldn't be considered as part of your compensation if you're a lowly employee like myself.

mathattack 11y ago
Very well written. Stock options don't pay for the groceries. My landlord doesn't take a potential bonus as a reason for not paying rent. You need to be able to find a way to make ends meet with just base salary.
mstade 11y ago
100% this. I've been offered (and given) stock options at a couple of places now but never compromised on compensation. Stock options for a non-traded entity are worthless, regardless of what arbitrary finger-in-air valuation some investors have given you. On the off chance you do get to vest, and actually make some money, you're still very likely to not make up the loss during the years you took a compensatory hit, and would've been better off compensation wise with a more stable (in every sense) but possibly more dull company.