My last job that I quit I had worked for a "growth stage" startup. Our valuation was probably in the 500~M range and we had a real shot at making it to unicorn

My last job that I quit I had worked for a "growth stage" startup. Our valuation was probably in the 500~M range and we had a real shot at making it to unicorn status. The entire time I worked there, every couple months the CEO would give this inspiring talk at the company all hands about how we're doubling down on recruiting and we're about to grow like you've never seen and change the world, etc. When I left after two years, the number of engineers was about the same as when I joined, but they were almost all different engineers. The company both struggled to hire and retain because the salaries were just ok, the options pitiful, and the management downright awful. We talked about getting the best and brightest from top universities, but at one point I learned our recruitment strategy was to look for "bargain" hires, which we defined as really bright & competitive new grads coming out of top schools, willing to work long hours, but willing to accept low salaries. (Yes, I was one of those bargain hires, minus the long hours. I quit after suspecting that my lack of long hours was holding me back from getting promotions in spite of the significant responsibilities I had as one of the more tenured engineers).