Re: Stock options

["Clark, Robert" <Robert -dot- Clark -at- SCHWAB -dot- COM>]

Anonymous posed the question....<snip> stock options as part of
compensation...

Is it becoming common?
Yes.  In my experience (here in Silicon Valley - tip o' the hat to the other
thread), start up companies and sometimes established companies offer
options as part of the compensation package.  I appreciate offers of
options, but I typically don't let that influence the salary I want to do
the job.

I have worked for several startups that gave me generous options. In all but
one case, the stock was worthless as the companies ran themselves in the
ground.  The one case where I actually exercised options, I made a whopping
$235.00 before taxes when that company was bought up by AOL and my options
were converted to AOLdollars.  For that particular company, I took a lower
salary in lieu of options.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Companies recruiting new hires sometimes place a high premium of the issue
of options as an incentive.  It shouldn't be that way, because unless the
company succeeds and unless at some future date, downsizing doesn't
eliminate the "documentation department", the options are more often than
not, worthless.

My two cents is stick to your guns on salary and say thanks to the options
if they offer them (even ask for more than they offer), but NEVER settle for
a lower salary that you are comfortable working for in exchange for options.

Here in the Valley we have ZERO unemployment for techwriters (so say
CalState Berkeley Technical Writing Course Instructors).  Options be damned.
Hold out for the salary you want.

 From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=