[therealarmen]

Keep in mind that this is written from the point of view of the employee and not the founder(s).

The reality is that it takes longer than a 30-minute interview to determine whether or not someone deserves a chunk of the company that you have devoted your life towards. If a potential hire demanded that I "avoid cliff vesting" (as suggested in this article), I would feel very uncomfortable.

That being said, I think a one-year cliff is excessive. I've found a three- or six-month cliff to be mutually agreeable for both parties.