> You have to look at the 0.2% in relation to the salary that they offer

I disagree. Salary is a real thing that you can use today. Options at a start-up? Some studies indicate that start-up failure is at 90% within the first 3 years. This means those options, 90% of the time, don't mean anything. They're literally useless.

The other 10% of the time? Depending on percentage, dilution and exit (IPO? Sale? Neither?) it's still difficult to get a return on those options in any reasonable timeframe.

In my opinion you should NEVER sacrifice salary for options UNLESS it's an established company where you can see how to get your money out of those options. There is a TON of competition out there for talent, if a company wants a quality candidate they will pay for one.