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These are investor questions, not employee questions. In my experience, you're either going to get a vague dodge or a flat-out "we're not going to share that /

These are investor questions, not employee questions. In my experience, you're either going to get a vague dodge or a flat-out "we're not going to share that / it's confidential" response unless you're applying for a C-level position. A better approach is to dive into the product and make a judgement... "What does the company need to do to secure its next round of funding?" VC-scale rule-of-thumb is you need a new funding round every 18 months... 12 months to improve the metrics, then 6 to close the next round. Figure out when the last one was, when the next one comes due, and how honest the company goals are from now until then.

xemdetia 8y ago
I think I have asked these kinds of questions in every one of the interviews I've ever done to whoever was the senior manager/C and they haven't even blinked at answering the question. It is critically important to me to know if the business feels healthy as it directly affects my confidence in the company, the vision that the person across the table is trying to sell me, and if the person in front of me has their head screwed on right. This is the kind of information that I use in combination with external signals to call bullshit or not. To also colour in this perspective a bit a frank 'I don't know, we are too small and we are struggling to get our internal operations on track and are looking for people who can help' is a sane and reasonable answer. If I join the organization without asking these sorts of questions and realize that the person leading the company doesn't even know how their own company is running that kills my morale. It could also be that when I ask these sorts of questions I am frank about my opinions: I don't mind being part of the machine but I am business oriented and derive motivation/happiness from doing what I can to accelerate that business even further.
u10 8y ago
if part of the compensation is equity than the financial health of the company is very relevant.
emilecantin 8y ago
If they're offering equity as part of the compensation package, then you definitely become an investor. Investor questions are totally justified. Even if they don't offer equity, you still have a significant opportunity cost and risk when you decide to work for a startup. These questions attempt to quantify these.
xs83 8y ago
Disagree - as someone who has worked solely with startups for the last 10 years it is crucial to know this. I have (on more that one occasion) been without pay for a period because "the funding ran out" - it is part and parcel of early start ups and knowing where they are on the journey to profitability is important if you are making a commitment!
Xelbair 8y ago
oh yes they are investor-like questions. And rightfully so. Employee is investing time in effort and receives compensation and equity in case of startups. If equity is non-zero, then obviously employee will ask the same questions an investor would. Salaries in startups are lower than in most corporations - the difference is what employee might consider to be their cost of investing in the company.

xemdetia 8y ago

I think I have asked these kinds of questions in every one of the interviews I've ever done to whoever was the senior manager/C and they haven't even blinked at answering the question. It is critically important to me to know if the business feels healthy as it directly affects my confidence in the company, the vision that the person across the table is trying to sell me, and if the person in front of me has their head screwed on right. This is the kind of information that I use in combination with external signals to call bullshit or not. To also colour in this perspective a bit a frank 'I don't know, we are too small and we are struggling to get our internal operations on track and are looking for people who can help' is a sane and reasonable answer. If I join the organization without asking these sorts of questions and realize that the person leading the company doesn't even know how their own company is running that kills my morale. It could also be that when I ask these sorts of questions I am frank about my opinions: I don't mind being part of the machine but I am business oriented and derive motivation/happiness from doing what I can to accelerate that business even further.

u10 8y ago

if part of the compensation is equity than the financial health of the company is very relevant.

emilecantin 8y ago

If they're offering equity as part of the compensation package, then you definitely become an investor. Investor questions are totally justified. Even if they don't offer equity, you still have a significant opportunity cost and risk when you decide to work for a startup. These questions attempt to quantify these.

xs83 8y ago

Disagree - as someone who has worked solely with startups for the last 10 years it is crucial to know this. I have (on more that one occasion) been without pay for a period because "the funding ran out" - it is part and parcel of early start ups and knowing where they are on the journey to profitability is important if you are making a commitment!

Xelbair 8y ago

oh yes they are investor-like questions. And rightfully so. Employee is investing time in effort and receives compensation and equity in case of startups. If equity is non-zero, then obviously employee will ask the same questions an investor would. Salaries in startups are lower than in most corporations - the difference is what employee might consider to be their cost of investing in the company.