Ask HN: Should you work for a startup that is in Pre-seed stage (during 2024)?

[WonderingMary]

As with everyone else in here, I've been effected by the layoffs, I received my notice back in December, and was laid off in January, and I've been looking for a job since then.

I've gotten very few promising options (compared to the opportunities I used to have pre-2020). I've gotten a chance in a an interesting startup that is still in pre-seed stage, the job compliments my background experience very nicely, however I'm very pessimistic about the state of the economy (for good reason as anyone would know by now).

I've gotten an offer, which includes equity (I wasn't told how much its worth, neither are they willing to discuss it... its like here is a percentage of something that might work and might not work).

So, I could use some advice about startups (never worked for one before), because in terms of finance, already established companies might have some financial security (in terms of at least having a stable salary for say, a 12 months period), with a startup (fewer employees, fewer operating capital) I'm not sure what to think of it.

Of course because I'm not in a position to be picky, I might have to just take the job.

[pavel_lishin]

> I wasn't told how much its worth, neither are they willing to discuss it... its like here is a percentage of something that might work and might not work

That sounds worrisome. Are they not telling you because they don't know (which, fair) or because they don't want to?

If it's the latter, I wouldn't take the job - a lack of trust of that sort in a startup is a bad sign.

[bradley13]

Assume the equity is worth zero: can you live with the salary? Are you willing to work long hours? If yes, go for it, why not?

If you can't live with the salary, or if you are not in a position to work lots of overtime, pass.

If you do take it, get an attorney to check the contract and the equity agreement.

[codingdave]

If this is your only option, just take it - even if short-lived, that is better then nothing.

But personally, I would have to really believe in the people and the product to even think about an early startup. Which to me, means already established product-market fit, with a specific transaction that drives revenue and is profitable at scale, and with leaders who are listening to what the market wants and not just building what they want the market to want.

If all those boxes are checked, I'd give it a chance.

[f1shy]

If you need security now (family, etc.) I would pass. If you do bot need the Security, go for it! I was in a couple of startups, and is great. You can learn a lot, and after some years you could grow with the company.

About the equity: just forget it. No worth discussing. Just in case that company is the next Amazon would be interesting