If you've had more than one job your ability to select multiple options goes up :-). There is another post here which mentions they can have negative value (which is to say you exercised them but they were never worth anything) and that is important to.
If you follow the strategy that you only exercise and sell when they are worth money and you can sell, then options are always 'additive' to your salary. If you take options in lieu of salary then you're taking a bigger risk than someone who has both. The philosophy a number of people I know use with startups is enough salary to get by and save a bit, and options as an upside kicker.
If you follow the strategy that you only exercise and sell when they are worth money and you can sell, then options are always 'additive' to your salary. If you take options in lieu of salary then you're taking a bigger risk than someone who has both. The philosophy a number of people I know use with startups is enough salary to get by and save a bit, and options as an upside kicker.