Re:Fucking Sue Me
by owenmarshall on Monday September 12, 2011 @11:11AM
(#2987552)
Most startups don't get anywhere near employee #100. If you're in a startup that does, you'll likely be happy to be either #1 or #100.
Being #1 means you work as hard as the owners but for much less -- often you will end up making less than you'd make elsewhere.
Being an early hire seems to be about trading salary & security for experience running a business. Friends who have joined a startup early have said it's the absolute best way to learn what to do -- and many times, what not to do -- when you're starting your own company.
Of course, YMMV. I've heard from plenty of early hires that don't end up near the business side, and don't get much out of it.
Being the first employee of a startup can be the best thing since sliced bread. You take little risk (compared to the actual owners), yet the reward is usually way better than employee number 100. Who do you think is more likely to get 1) a bumb in pay and 2) a better position first?