Got an offer from an MLish startup recently. Red flags: - at first didn’t offer to pay for the onsite, later did and chalked up to a “misunderstanding” - gave really easy problems and 1 hard problem with coaching (didn’t get the hard one) - easy hackerrank and phone screen - have a bunch of offices despite only having a few hundred people - office had a bunch of empty space, almost nobody there during the onsite - recruiter seemed really amped to give me an offer despite mediocre performance on my part Green flags - super sharp interviewers from Stanford, Caltech, MIT, Harvard, equivalent schools - seems to be working on an interesting space - offer is pretty reasonable for the area at ~$130k cash plus ~$25k signing, no equity BS - employees used to work at Google, FB, Jane Street, Dropbox - role fits what I’m looking for to a T Am I being paranoid or is this a decent offer?
What do you mean by no equity bs?
Why wouldn't you expect equity? I think you could attribute most of the "red flags" to the fact that this is a relatively new startup.
I don’t know what “no equity BS” means. You mean they gave you a fair amount of equity on a standard vesting schedule that you’re happy with? If so, it’s a below average offer, but nothing special. Do you mean they didn’t give you any equity? If so... RUN AWAY. You work at Amazon. You can do better than no equity from a shitty startup that pulls the shady stuff you’re saying.
As in, none offered. The first year total comp is otherwise higher than my Amazon offer and more of it is standard cash.
How many years at Amazon? Can you use the offer to negotiate better comp? Amazon will be better on your resume than a startup. If amazon is your first job, stay there a while, or find a series C or D startup to join. Never ever leave for no equity. Never ever take no equity. Ever. No equity is a sign of much bigger issues at the company.
Your gut already has the answer.
I like empty offices. The facebook campus feels like Disneyland; too busy. And it's really hard to find parking.
Empty offices can be good or bad. Good if empty = work from home. Bad if empty = no employees.
They have 50-something engineers. Weather/rain was pretty bad during the onsite and the office was new so that could make sense.
Offer is relative to area. Where is it?
I’d give the company away if I gave the precise location but it’s cheaper than New York/SF
Lol noone knows startups outside ny or sf
You know your current level and what position you interviewed for. If the interview was too simple then that's a red flag. If you don't have many years of experience then go for it and you will learn a lot.
I don’t agree. OP is a college student deciding where it’s first full time job will be. Amazon vs unknown startup will be night and day.
I would argue a few years at a big company gives you the resume brand and then a startup would be a good move to finish your twenties before other things start taking priority and comp. becomes a real concern.
What in the OP’s statement leads you to believe that? OP didn’t comment on cash flow anywhere.
No equity at a small startup is a very big red flag. You will likely learn a lot though. However, you should be rewarded if the company does well and make a big profit from stock. This seems like a company that may have a great idea, strong engineers but no one with a strong sale/business side. I’d avoid if they don’t give you stock. And consider if they give you enough and you believe in their vision.