- How long am I guaranteed to get paid? If they guarantee and can't pay you it's on them. I wouldn't worry about the startup's existence - its not your problem, provided you are working for decent people.
- If there is a stock offer learn vesting terms and ballpark how much you would make if company was worth 10M-100M. Assume that's an extra bonus and company would probably not make it there.
- Determine what your role is and whether you will like it.
I expect a founder to normally guarantee 6 months, or 12 months or 24 months of payment before hiring someone depending on the situation at time of hire. This is the only way I would hire anybody.
Frankly I find it misplaced for a hired employee to have to worry about intricate details about company's runway and other risks etc. Its not your problem. If you are expected to own that as your problem then you might as well offer to be a founder and get proper stock.
guarantee is whether the person who makes it is trustworthy or not, and knows his/her finances. I'd focus on that instead of try to judge how the company is doing to do.
- If there is a stock offer learn vesting terms and ballpark how much you would make if company was worth 10M-100M. Assume that's an extra bonus and company would probably not make it there.
- Determine what your role is and whether you will like it.