(Disclosure: I work at Google) I describe the ability to hire as being a U-shaped curve: new grads (whether undergrad or grad school) or people that don't actu

(Disclosure: I work at Google) I describe the ability to hire as being a U-shaped curve: new grads (whether undergrad or grad school) or people that don't actually need to work anymore. Google's high pay actually means that for senior folks, they're getting closer to the right end of the curve! (But also, that they'd most likely be a founder unless they believe so strongly in your idea that they must see it happen). As bla2 says below: the reality is that .1% is a pretty low equity offer, and while engineers aren't naturally greedy we can do math. A person just out of school might not care, but you shouldn't begrudge folks that say "Umm, the expected value of this offer is pretty bad compared to my current situation". You can offer them something else (work that matters!), but I feel like everyone knows that employee equity is still too skewed towards founders and investors.