Two thing to consider about stock options: dilution and additional options grant.
You can be diluted at any time. That is the company can award additional shares and options that will make your 4 shares a smaller part of the pie.
In theory, this should only happen if the person getting the extra shares puts more money into the company, so you will have a smaller share of a bigger pie.
In practice, it doesn't have to be. You can just get a smaller share of the same pie...
On the other hand, should you prove you worth to the company, it is customary that you will get additional options granted later on, as the company will want to keep you interested and motivated.
For an early stage startup, both have an even chance of happening.
I've had both happen to me (with the same startup). By the time the startup was bought I had a bigger option grant then I started with - but it was worth much less due to dilution.
Bottom line: the amount or portion of stocks you are granted when you start working is meaningless or close to meaningless.
Two thing to consider about stock options: dilution and additional options grant.
You can be diluted at any time. That is the company can award additional shares and options that will make your 4 shares a smaller part of the pie.
In theory, this should only happen if the person getting the extra shares puts more money into the company, so you will have a smaller share of a bigger pie.
In practice, it doesn't have to be. You can just get a smaller share of the same pie...
On the other hand, should you prove you worth to the company, it is customary that you will get additional options granted later on, as the company will want to keep you interested and motivated.
For an early stage startup, both have an even chance of happening.
I've had both happen to me (with the same startup). By the time the startup was bought I had a bigger option grant then I started with - but it was worth much less due to dilution.
Bottom line: the amount or portion of stocks you are granted when you start working is meaningless or close to meaningless.
But I'd take the job anyway. San Fran is cool.
Good luck! gby