Everything you need to know about finding, evaluating, and thriving in startup careers. From equity compensation to interview strategies, master the startup job market.
Always ask for percentage ownership!
10,000 shares could be 0.1% or 10% depending on total shares outstanding.
Remember: Equity is only valuable if the company succeeds. Consider these factors:
Focus on growth, impact, and learning opportunities rather than just equity potential.
Share specific examples of adapting to change and thriving in ambiguous situations.
Show you've researched their challenges and can contribute immediately.
Demonstrate problem-solving skills and understanding of their business.
Startups value versatile generalists over narrow specialists. Focus on:
The global startup capital with highest concentration of unicorns
Fintech and media-tech hub with diverse opportunities
Entertainment tech and consumer apps focus
Biotech and enterprise software stronghold
Emerging fintech and crypto hub
Tech-friendly environment with lower costs
Joined as engineer in 2011, equity worth $160M+ after Facebook acquisition
$10M+ payout from Facebook acquisition after 2 years at the company
Equity now worth $50M+ as company valued at $95B
Started as junior developer at Series A company, became VP Engineering after hypergrowth
Individual contributor gained product experience at startup, launched own company with $5M seed
Startup experience and skill diversity led to senior role at Google with 40% salary increase
Remember:
Trust your instincts. If something feels off during the interview process, it's likely a reflection of the company culture. A good startup will be transparent about challenges while remaining optimistic about solutions.
Create a resume that showcases your adaptability, growth mindset, and technical skills that startups value most.