I'm applying to various startups in SF, as a developer, and want to know if I'll be taken seriously if I communicate that I will only work paid overtime. Has anybody here been hired to a tech startup in SF and what was the expectation?
If you really want to make sure you get paid for all the hours you work, you might consider setting up shop as a consultant / contractor and pursuing opportunities to to corp-to-corp arrangements. I'm still not sure how many startups will be onboard with that, but if you have some very specific skill or talent you might be able to swing it.
I've seen companies that have 300 people call themselves startups (~ 6 years old). In companies such as this, the prospect of new rapid growth is doubtful and my share of equity would be minimal, yet there seemed to be an attitude that overtime would be expected.
Again, asking people who have actually worked in an SF startup: What kind of ownership % can a developer person working in a 20 person company expect?
If you don't want to do this you may want to reconsider working at a startup.
Consulting is the only way that I'm aware of where the convention is you are paid hourly.