[notbitter]

Totally disagree on #2. Walking into a better gig is easy, but it means you lose years of investment in the previous company (due to dilution, preferences, loss of retention bonus on acquisition, etc). Many of us on the engineering side consider that "getting screwed" even if folks on the executive side think of it as business as usual.

To the OP, I would suggest that the only sure-fire way to avoid getting screwed is to remain indispensable all the way through to a liquidity event. Even then, employee #9 may not see much from their equity.

[devs1010]

I agree, if you're not standing to get a good share of equity then just look at it as another job. Of course, every CEO-type, like the guy above wants you to do what he's suggesting and slave away but you should evaluate your options and maybe a 9 person startup is too small to not have to work hellish hours, etc but also too big to where you're not getting enough from out of it since you're not a founder. All I can say is be careful of what you're getting into and if you don't stand to gain much from equity or are not sure how long you would stay with them consider working as a contractor then you get paid for all the time you work, etc